Georgia’s nascent water trail network garners support from state lawmakers
EXCITING update !
6:16 pm
At the end of a dirt path that touches the Yellow River in Newton County, one piece of the future of Georgia’s network of water trails is taking shape – a network that now has the blessings of the state House of Representatives. Abe’s Landing is at mile 33 of the 53-mile Yellow River Water Trail. The water trail begins near Lilburn, at Five Forks Trickum Road, and ends at Jackson Lake. According to a description of the water trail, it passes beneath bridge columns that date to the Civil War; a working train trestle; and I-20, where Abe’s Landing is being improved. Critters living along the water trail include great blue heron, North American river otters and American Beavers.
Like all of Georgia’s water trails, this one was developed by a public/private partnership. This group includes Keep Covington/Newton Beautiful; Porterdale, a former mill town said to have been the world’s largest producer of twine; Newton County; Newton’s Water and Sewerage Authority; Yellow River Water Trail Partnership; Georgia Adopt-a-Stream; National Park Service; Northeast
Georgia Regional Commission; and Georgia River Network.
The House approved a resolution March 9 that endorses efforts by the Georgia River Network and its partners to create water trails. The resolution provides no funding. But in a state that doesn’t provide funding for a statewide water trails program, the resolution sponsored by Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) is seen as a step in the right direction.
House Resolution 281 concludes:
“[T]he members of this body recognize Georgia River Network and their water trail partners for their dedicated public service to the State of Georgia and encourage the exploration of existing water trails and the development of future water trails around the state.”
READ more here:
