O.C.G.A. § 12-6A-1

The intent of this chapter is to provide a flexible framework within which cities and counties in this state, the Department of Natural Resources, other state and federal departments and agencies, state authorities, and private partners can protect the state's valuable natural resources. The General Assembly recognizes that the state-wide network of land and water resources, the state's prime agricultural and forestry lands, and its natural, cultural, historic, and recreational areas are a priceless legacy that enhance the health of ecosystems, encourage working landscapes, foster natural resource stewardship, sustain a healthy economy, and promote a sustainable high quality of life for current and future generations of Georgians. The process provided by this chapter is intended to promote partnerships for the conservation of land resources that are identified by cities or counties as locally valuable or identified by the department as having state-wide significance. This chapter shall also provide land conservation funding options to augment currently available local, state, and federal funding.