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Acf Stakeholders: Overview and Panel Discussion ACF STAKEHOLDERS: OVERVIEW AND PANEL DISCUSSION Georgia Environmental Conference Savannah, GA August 2012 ACF – The Issue Can the diverse users of the ACF Basin act cooperatively to create sustainable solutions among stakeholders that balance economic, ecological, and social values in the sharing of this natural resource? MISSION To change the operation and management of the ACF Basin to achieve: Equitable solutions among stakeholders that balance economic, ecological, and social values Viable solutions that ensure that the entire ACF Basin is a sustainable resource for current and future generations ACF STAKEHOLDERS Working Together to Share a Common Resource GOALS 1. Ensure adequate water supplies for municipal uses 2. Promote water availability for future economic interests 3. Promote the optimization of water use for agriculture 4. Determine the extent of commercial navigation 5. Protect natural systems ACF STAKEHOLDERS Working Together to Share a Common Resource grassroots group representing ALL water users in the river system 56 Members – 14 Interest Caucus RePresentaQves Per sub-basin Consensus is criQcal. ACFS members seek to understand one another’s interests as they work together, but accePt that their interests will differ. Consensus ensures no stakeholder interest is leZ out. PROGRESS • People continue to show up at meetings • Selection of Facilitation Support • Consensus on a scope of work and contractors for developing a Sustainable Water Management Plan and In-stream Flow Assessment • Formation of Technical Oversight Work Group • $950,000 of $ 1.5 Million Raised • Research on Institutional Options for Basin- Wide Management ACF STAKEHOLDERS Working Together to Share a Common Resource Sustainable Water Management Plan Development of SWMP Work Plan Developing model inputs (unimpaired flows data, water demands data) Tailoring model for SWMP Identifying performance metrics by which to evaluate model outputs ACF STAKEHOLDERS Working Together to Share a Common Resource In-Stream Flow • Selected contractor for IFA • Completed literature and data review • Recommended approaches to in-stream flow analysis for riverine and estuarine parts of ACF System • Identifying target riverine resources and their flows needs ACF STAKEHOLDERS Working Together to Share a Common Resource Where are we now? OVERALL SUSTAINABLE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN TASKS 1. Work Plan 2. Problem Definion/Performance Indicators 3. Tailoring of Models to Indicators (ACF-DSS and ResSim) 4. Data and Informaon 5. DeveloPment of Water Management AlternaQves 6. Conduct IteraQve basin Assessments 7. Seek Consensus 8. RePort and Study DisseminaQon NOV DEC JAN FEb MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEb Next Steps Incorporate riverine in-stream flow needs into SWMP model performance metrics Select approach to evaluate in-stream flow needs for estuarine ecology Agree on model inputs including unimpaired flows and water demands (UIF Workshop: September 10) Explore innovative Water Management Alternatives (Sept. 13 expert panel) Conduct baseline model runs and describe system current conditions Please join us today! Become an ACFS member. www.acfstakeholders.org Issues of Concern to the Upper Chattahoochee ACF Stakeholders Jerri Russell, P.E. City of Atlanta Upper Chattahoochee Basin • Headwaters of Chattahoochee almost to West Point Lake • Rural and metro areas • Lake Lanier Lake Lanier • Upstream end of the basin • 5.3 percent of the ACF Basin land area • 60 percent of the federal reservoir storage • Small watershed • Slow to refill http://www.lawrencevilleweather.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/10/102207.jpg Everyone has the Same Desires • Mother Nature to provide water • Water available in desired quantity • Water available at desired time www-math.ucdenver.edu coloring-pages.ws The Balancing Act • Within our Basin • Up and Down the River • Taking Water Out vs. Leaving Water In • Quantity & Timing Taking Water Out • Water Supply • Local Government • Industry and Manufacturing • Hydro Power • Thermal Power • Business/Economic Development • Farming and Urban Agriculture chriskresser.com • Peak flows • Current needs • Growth and development Keeping Water In • Environmental and Conservation • Recreation • Water Quality • Hydro Power • Local Government • Business/Economic Development • Peak flows Lake Lanier Small Watershed = Slow Refill & High Vulnerability • Nobody wants the reservoir to run dry • Some parties are impacted a whole lot sooner than others Perception vs. Reality • Much of the time adequate water is available • Metro Atlanta is not using up all of the water • Billions are being spent to improve our resource utilization • Major conservation is occurring • There are better ways to operate the river Acknowledgments • The Upper Chattahoochee Basin Members • The Chattahoochee Riverkeeper • Laura Hartt • Joe Cook • Tom Wilson • Glenn Page Sustainability in the Flint River Basin A delicate balance between the ability of humans to improve lifestyles and prosper while being good stewards of our natural resources and environment now, and as a legacy for future generations Flint basin LandscaPes and Hydrology North South Middle Georgia’s PoPulaQon Is Now More than 12 Million PeoPle In The Flint basin, Agricultural Use Of Water Has Drascally Changed More than 1,000,000 acres in crop production Water Resources Challenges In The Flint • N. Ga expansion and need for more water • Agricultural land expansion & irrigation overdevelopment • Changing climate and recurring drought • Loss of aquatic habitat • State line flows Apalachicola Subbasin Caucus Apalachicola- Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin • 19,600 Sq Mi Basin • Chattahoochee River - Corps operates 5 Federal Reservoirs • Flint River - Breadbasket of the SE • Uses include: Hydropower, Flood Control, Water Supply, Navigation, Ag, M&I, Water Quality, Cooling, Recreation Apalachicola River and Floodplain Largest forested floodplain in Florida (112,000 acres) Highest Species Diversity of any River System in North America UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Outstanding Florida Water (OFW) Apalachicola Bay Productivity/Harvest Ø $200,000,000 Local Seafood Industry, 90% of Florida Oysters, 10% of US oysters, + Shrimp, Crab and Finfish. Ø In 1994, Five Million lbs. of Seafood were produced from the Apalachicola Bay region. Ø 90% of all harvested species must spend some part of their life cycle inshore on the marsh and seagrass environment, even the grouper caught offshore must rely on this healthy environment. 2007 Flow in relation to Average Flow Apalachicola River at Chattahoochee, FL 45,000 40,000 35,000 30,000 25,000 20,000 Average flow 15,000 1922-2007 10,000 2007 flow Flow, in second cubicper feet 5,000 0 Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Summary of Major Impacts: DECLINING RIVER STAGE Down cutting & Widening Woody debris removal Loss of Fish Habitat Reduced flow DRYING OUT OF FLOODPLAIN FOREST Decrease in Forests Density Loss of 4 million trees Disconnected Sloughs DECLINING SEAFOOD HARVEST River functions drives the Bay Loss of Nutrients and increased Salinity Chain reaction thru Food Chain ACF In-stream Flow Assessment A Downstream Perspective ACF STAKEHOLDERS: OVERVIEW AND PANEL DISCUSSION Georgia Environmental Conference Savannah, GA August 2012 .
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