Environment

Environment

Environment

Bartow County has aggressively worked to protect its environment through purchasing land to preserve from development and implementing the Environmental Management System, a pilot program with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that gives the county more influence in overseeing environmental policy.

Since it began in 2003, the Environmental Management System (EMS) has created partnerships with local businesses and industries with the stated goals of providing clean air, clean and safe water, preserving and restoring land, creating healthy communities and ecosystems and improving environmental compliance and environmental stewardship. EMS has already created results, such as reducing air emissions by 25 percent.

Bartow County has also seen success in preservation through its greenspace program. Initially funded by the State of Georgia through the Georgia Greenspace Act, the program has continued through local SPLOST funding. Several tracts of greenspace have been purchased, including:

·    40 acres surrounding Hurricane Hollow near Pine Mountain, which can be accessed by a walking trail developed and maintained by the City of Cartersville Parks and Recreation Department.

·    Spring Bank, a 37-acre natural habitat on Connesega Creek. The TreesBartow program coordinates an outdoor classroom for students to learn about Spring Bank’s diverse plant life, and the historical significance of the former antebellum plantation. Spring Bank was once owned by the influential Howard family, who operated a large plantation and private school there.

·    Beasley Gap, approximately 300 acres of forest in northeast Bartow. A walking trail is currently being developed by the county for public use.

Leake Mounds, a significant archeological site of early Native Americans. A walking trail, with interpretive signage, is planned to connect to Cartersville’s Milam Farm Riverwalk.