We need your help to continue to expand the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area (CRNRA). This year, Congress and the National Park Service (NPS) did not provide funding for much needed expansion of the park, including acquisition of the James Creek Parcel just south of Lake Lanier. However, there is an opportunity for NPS to allocate Recreational Access funding to purchase the property. Acting National Park Service Director Paul Daniel Smith currently is deciding how to allocate these funds, and your voice may sway his decision.
Recreational Access funds are part of the national Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Over the years, LWCF investments in the Chattahoochee River NRA have yielded tremendous economic benefits to metro Atlanta and Georgia. Visitors to the Chattahoochee CRNRA spent over $118 Million in communities near the park, supporting more than 1,723 jobs according to the National Park Service. Statewide, Georgia’s outdoor recreation economy creates $27.3 billion in consumer spending and 238,000 jobs.
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area encompasses nearly 10,000 acres of land – 15% of greater Atlanta’s public greenspace. Nearly 2.8 million visitors used the CRNRA for running, hiking, paddling, kayaking, fishing, cycling, birdwatching, and tubing last year. Acquiring the James Creek property would expand access to the river for recreational activities. We need your support for the James Creek project. If we do not secure funding now, we may lose the opportunity to acquire this important land along the river.
Recreational Access funds are part of the national Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). Over the years, LWCF investments in the Chattahoochee River NRA have yielded tremendous economic benefits to metro Atlanta and Georgia. Visitors to the Chattahoochee CRNRA spent over $118 Million in communities near the park, supporting more than 1,723 jobs according to the National Park Service. Statewide, Georgia’s outdoor recreation economy creates $27.3 billion in consumer spending and 238,000 jobs.
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area encompasses nearly 10,000 acres of land – 15% of greater Atlanta’s public greenspace. Nearly 2.8 million visitors used the CRNRA for running, hiking, paddling, kayaking, fishing, cycling, birdwatching, and tubing last year. Acquiring the James Creek property would expand access to the river for recreational activities. We need your support for the James Creek project. If we do not secure funding now, we may lose the opportunity to acquire this important land along the river.
How the LWCF Helps the Chattahoochee
The Land & Water Conservation Fund has been the lifeblood of for land preservation along the Chattahoochee. LWCF is not funded with taxpayer dollars, but through a portion of revenue collected from offshore oil and gas drilling leases. The LWCF has provided more than $40 million to help acquire 27 different properties totaling more than 800 acres within the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.
What the Chattahoochee Means to Atlanta
CLEAN WATER
70% of Metro Atlanta relies upon the Chattahoochee for its water supply |
ECONOMIC ENGINE
Visitors spent an estimated $119.1 million while visiting Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area in 2016, supporting 1,800 jobs |
GREENWAY VISION
A broad coalition of government and nonprofit partners has preserved 18,000 acres & 80 miles of Chattahoochee riverfront |
RESOURCE AT RISK
In 2016, American Rivers named the Chattahoochee as one of our nation's most endangered waterways |
VITAL GREENSPACE
The Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area accounts for 15% of all parkland in metro Atlanta* and attracts 3,000,000 visitors each year |
*Metro Atlanta refers to the ten core counties
Organizations working to preserve your Chattahoochee
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ACT NOW - Support the Chattahoochee
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CONTACT ACTING NPS DIRECTOR PAUL DANIEL SMITH
Tell him how much the Chattahoochee means to you. Urge him to provide Recreational Access funding to expand the Chattahoochee River NRA. |
JOIN OUR TEAM
Get involved; help recruit your friends & family · Sign up to get our email updates · Sign the LWCF petition · Forward this website to your friends |