84308 UCR Spring 04 NL Impo.CP

, page 7 "Does Buffers were based on were See (R-Gainesville) intro- Sen. Casey Cagle

land use affect our streams?" Source: "Does land use affect our streams? A watershed example from Gwinnett County, Georgia, 1998-2001", USGS publication, Mark Landers, et al. http://ga.water.usgs.gov five years of data, collected through 2001. five years of data, collected through relation Monitoring data show a strong between transportation land use in the stream corridor and total suspended solids and lead. roads where High lead yields in the streams corridor have been built within the stream lead deposition in may be due to increased effi- is greater In addition, there paved areas. surfaces, accom- road ciency of wash off from it filtration of runoff before panied by reduced the waterway of reaches due to the removal vegetation in the corridor. matic samplers to assess non-point source transportation with pollution, was correlated corridor. in the stream land use (i.e., roads) The conclusions in the USGS report, Photo credit: USGS credit: Photo to support a bill whose language had been hammered out to support a bill whose language had been hammered the session started. even before In stark contrast, duced legislation (SB 460) in 2004 without any effort to bring all stakeholders together to discuss unidentified 15 year the implementation of Georgia's with "problems" Stream gages in the six watersheds continu- Stream and ously monitor water level, streamflow, and periodically collect water precipitation quality samples (e.g., biological oxygen demand, chemical oxygen demand, total sus- and pended solids, phosphorus, nitrogen, collected with auto- trace metals). Stormflow, USGS scientists collecting a sample from a stream in metro Atlanta. evelopers and environmentalists stood side by evelopers and environmentalists sup- side during the 2003 legislative session---in con- soil erosion Georgia's port reform of a bill to trol law (HB 285) which easily passed through the state law (HB 285) which easily passed through trol took those same groups House and Senate. This year, of the greenspace sides in a pitched battle over the fate waterways, buffers". known as "stream along Georgia's Act, and Sedimentation Erosion Pursuant to the Georgia Division (EPD) is Protection the state Environmental of vegetated riparian zones with the protection charged and 50 (or buffers) of 25 feet along warmwater streams a variance is streams---unless feet along designated trout that include based on circumstances EPD obtained from The criteria used by EPD to make variance hardship. developed in 2000 by a technical advisorydecisions were group. Stark Contrast to Collaborative Approach The successful collaboration which led to HB 285 was the often difficult, multi-year process of a lengthy, result (including lawsuits) to develop consensus on key issues of concern to all stakeholders involved in efforts to keep mud out of the waterways that supply drinking Georgia and wildlife habitat. In the end, every- recreation water, one involved gave some and took some, and then agreed D quantitatively TUDY S ASE C tream quality is a barometer of urban quality is a barometer tream on a watershed, The land use pressures specific effect of land use and manage- that development in stream buffers degrades that development in stream water quality and that management strategies can have a bigger impact in these buffer areas quality than strategies implemented on stream in the watershed. For the purposes elsewhere as corridor was defined a stream of this study, having a width of 30 meters (about 100 feet). The monitoring network was designed and installed during 1996, as a cooperative investi- gation of the USGS and the Gwinnett Department of Public Utilities. Gwinnett County is to be commended for its significant and its use of the investment in the project watershed quality. data to improve ment practices on streams is, however, is, however, ment practices on streams difficult to assess and often goes unmeasured. monitor- In six watersheds in Gwinnett County, of an ongoing study by the U.S. ing results Geological Survey (USGS) show Lower Falls on Mulberry Creek, Harris County WATER COALITION PREVAILS IN BATTLE TO PROTECT TO IN BATTLE COALITION PREVAILS WATER STREAM BUFFERS S RBAN U ROADS IN STREAM CORRIDORS DEGRADE WATER QUALITY DEGRADE WATER ROADS IN STREAM CORRIDORS June 5 June 12 May 15 June 19 May 15 May 15 September 17 May 22 & 23

River Matters 10th Anniversary Gala The Foundry at Puritan Mill 7-11pm Contact: 404-352-9828 ext. 12 or [email protected] Meet at Garrard's Landing 9:30 AM. Paddle 10 AM - Noon and take out at Riverside Park at Vickery Creek Bridge. Contact: 404-352-9828 ext. 14 or [email protected] Biological Adopt-a-Stream Workshop Smithgall Woods Contact: 404-352-9828 ext. 17 or [email protected] De Lake Tour Pyne Road Park LaGrange, Georgia Fundraising bicycle & motorcycle ride Go to www.westpointlakecoalition.org or call 706-884-5916 Soquee River Cleanup North Georgia Contact: 706-865-4451 River Cleanup Friends of Upper Chattahoochee River Helen, Georgia Contact: 770-531-1064 or [email protected] 2nd Annual River Race & Festival Roswell, Georgia For info and registration go to www.chattahoochee.org or contact: 404-352-9828 ext. 14 or [email protected] Chemical Adopt-a-Stream Workshop Smithgall Woods Contact: 404-352-9828 ext. 17 or [email protected] River Clean-ups with Boat Captain 2nd Saturday of each month through October Maximum 4 people Start time 1pm 20 Contact: 404-352-9828 ext. or [email protected] Practice Run for 2nd Annual River Race & Festival Photo by Kent Ruby Kent by Photo The , Non-Profit Organization Permit No. 3363 Atlanta, Georgia US Postage Paid Chevron Chattahoochee , You may register on-line at You WAGA Fox 5 WAGA , and supported by many exhibitors and

The Environmental Festival begins as the Race ends. Address Service Requested This 2nd Annual Race is sponsored by This 2nd Annual Race is sponsored Spectators may view the Chattahoochee Race at Island Spectators may view National Park Service (from Park trails), Don White Ford under GA 400 bridge), and the new (at Riverside Drive at Riverside Park. pedestrian bridge food and music. The "Swallows" Come enjoy the Festival BBQ and is bringing their great Restaurant in Roswell Nashville Band. See veggie sandwiches along with their be a and craft exhibits. It may the many environmental and kayaks on the good time to examine the new canoes market. www.chattahoochee.org or mail/fax the registration formwww.chattahoochee.org below: Coca-Cola Company Nature Center paddlers such as yourself. Photo by Kent Ruby Kent by Photo Fees: Solo $30, Tandem Fees: $40 Solo $30, Tandem Georgia Flatwater Canoe/ . Our race is the third and last in the . Our race is the third

he City of Roswell, the National Park Servicehe City of Roswell, and Riverkeeper (UCR) are Upper Chattahoochee invite you to participate in our doing it again! We

Series, which began in late March on the Canoochee Series, which began in late March May On by the Canoochee Riverkeeper. organized River, 8, the Coosa River Basin Initiative (aka Upper Coosa Riverkeeper) is sponsoring a race on the Oostanaula River in Rome. Kayak Race Series Park in Roswell. There are "Open" and "Recreational" are Park in Roswell. There events for all age and skill levels. Participants in the "Open" competitive events may earn in the awards points toward 2nd Annual River Race & Festival on June 12. The race 2nd Annual River from (and fairly easy) 8-mile paddle course is a beautiful Landing Park) to Riverside Holcomb Bridge (Garrard's Paddling to the finish at the 1st Annual Race in 2003. 2ND ANNUAL BACK TO THE CHATTAHOOCHEE RACE & FESTIVAL RACE CHATTAHOOCHEE BACK TO THE 2ND ANNUAL SIGN UP NOW AND COME BACK TO THE RIVER ON JUNE 12! THE RIVER ON BACK TO NOW AND COME SIGN UP T

BLACK PMS 541 Job # 84308 ¥ 04.22.2004 Photo credit: www.ohvec.org credit: Photo 7 River CHAT ) and the proponents of the ) and the proponents (D-Columbus) urged the (D-Columbus) urged Piping of Small Streams Defeated until SB 460 was held in House Rules Committee ses- late on the 40th Day of the 2004 legislative Vegetated buffers around small streams trap small streams buffers around Vegetated pollutants, slowing their sediment and other and minimizing downstream rate of movement In addition, they main- impact to water supplies. is a because there tain biological diversity and living in of organisms unique assemblage small Finally, these small streams. around downstream sustain the food webs of streams ecosystems, as they collect and transport material that serves as food for fishes and other living downstream. organisms www.georgiawater.org , on behalf of his clients. They counter-offered Rep. Calvin Smyre Joe Tanner , which will include an environmental "score-card" on elected "score-card" , which will include an environmental For more information on the rollbacks go to NRDC's website at: RiverChat sion, when Rules Chair Georgia Water Coalition ( Water Georgia prior to a vote by the full House. bill to make a final effort to compromise, by the develop- an amendment that was rejected The Coalition proposed ers' lobbyist Additionally, small streams provide natural flood control. Because they flood control. natural provide small streams Additionally, the infiltration through allow of water, movement downstream slow the of their own floodplains, and have use bottom to groundwater, channel where overflows. In watersheds downstream channels reduce these small flooding increases. have been eliminated, downstream small streams officials in the Chattahoochee River Basin. with a proposal to delete the most onerous section of SB 460 (the piping to delete the most onerous with a proposal leaving only a mandate that the and springs), of small headwater streams a stakeholder buffer variance criteria through its stream state EPD review by the end of 2004. and finalize rules process as to this final version of the bill, which Sen. Cagle described agreed We of the Georgia than two dozen representatives having been "gutted". More the state lobbied House and Senate members around Coalition from Water performance of last year's effec- on the last day of the session in a repeat Thanks to all those tive campaign to defeat water marketing in Georgia. to check out the summer issue who contacted their legislators! Make sure of Making Your Voice Heard Voice Making Your and funding for laws back environmental to roll While these proposals happening at the federal level, UCR recognizes are state water programs follow pro- We the impact that these policies have at home in Georgia. such as with national groups, posed regulatory coordinate changes and Network, to Clean Water Defense Council and the Resources the Nature campaigns, analyze issues and submit comments on proposed organize policies that may impact our waterways. need your help! Please call or write your legislators and let them know We waterways, of Georgia's protection that you want them to vote for more not less! http://www.nrdc.org/bushrecord; or the CWN website at: find your legislators, go to: http://congress.org/con- To http://www.cwn.org. gressorg/state/main/?state=GA Another proposed policy Another proposed change affecting coal-mining in the southeast regions would allow a "streamlining" or easing of the federal for moun- permitting process taintop mining. This type of mining involves cutting or blowing the top of a mountain and allowing all of the mountain material to fill up the mountain can so that the coal inside and valleys below, the streams has studied the devastat- The EPA removed. easily accessed and be more effects of this practice. Rather than limiting this type of ing environmental for industries to the Administration is making it easier mining, however, damage natural resources. par- EPA funding EPA cut of its revenue---a UCR Director Sally Bethea and lobbyist Neill Herring examine a CSX Railroad stream buffer UCR Director Sally Bethea and lobbyist Neill Herring examine violation in Atlanta (see page 3). Photo credit: AJC half . Four dif- . Programs such as the Clean Water State as the Clean Water such . Programs Roy Richards to be blended with treated sewage and then dis- to be blended with treated additional 54% irtually every has experienced prob- local government in Georgia lems with sewer overflows into waterways, in water qual- resulting public health risks. The city of Atlanta is and ity problems UFFERS University Scientists Oppose Change to Buffer Law University Scientists Oppose Change Sciences and Environmental Scientists with the College of Agricultural Center at the University of Georgia and the River Basin Science and Policy signed by six scien- position against SB 460. In an opinion took a strong variance with no consideration of is a general tists, they stated, "If there in the watershed, the chances streams what has been done to other small with significant con- is great, destruction of small streams for widespread and fish- water quality, flooding, water supply, sequences for downstream eries resources." the country throughout has demonstrated Decades of scientific research which are the services by intact small streams, to society provided improve piped. Small streams are or eliminated when streams reduced efficient at removing extremely they are For example, water quality. than efficient at nutrient removal more much excess nutrients. They are deeper channels. They maintain water supplies because of the larger, are and they and groundwater, close connections between small streams system. the shallow groundwater serve to recharge old buffer protection law. Unhappy with the strictness of EPD's stream of EPD's with the strictness Unhappy law. old buffer protection buffer decided to and their consultants the developers variance criteria, call "wet weath- which they try for small streams, protections to eliminate the piping and to allow for the variance criteria and to revise er ditches", streams. paving of all small Council for Quality Growth, Led by the Gwinnett industrymany business and actively pro- groups bill. UCR was pleased to moted the developers' Company from of Southwire note the absence that company has been known this collaboration; stewardship its environmental years for in recent of under the leadership ferent versions of SB 460 were brought forward brought versions of SB 460 were ferent they set- by Sen. Cagle and the developers before vari- tled on one which established a "general allowing the ance" (i.e. a blank check) process, and small piping and destruction of the springs that give birth in to all the major rivers streams this state. for Georgia's water programs. for Georgia's Environmental Rollbacks waters. The to Georgia's the only threat not, however, Budget cuts are of the envi- Bush Administration has embarked on a systematic rollback our rivers, streams and policies that protect laws, regulations ronmental the so-called "blending policy", would allow and lakes. One rollback, V and years of improper poster-child for degrading infrastructure Georgia's system riddled in a wastewater treatment maintenance that have resulted overflows. repeated and with leaks, cracked pipes, insufficient capacity, facing is also The several billion dollar cleanup that the city is currently costs to aging sewage collection sys- of mounting response representative need for sewage infrastruc- Despite the growing Georgia. tems throughout to the Bush Administration proposes improvements, ture Federal Budget Cuts $8 million from Georgia budget for this year cuts funding for wastewater federal The proposed pro- than any other environmental more improvements infrastructure alone. By 2005, the current Georgia gram, with $8 million being cut from in to cut funding for water quality programs Administration proposes by an Georgia charged into a river during rainstorms. However, this blending would not into a river during rainstorms. However, charged the risks posed by such a discharge. reduce tially treated sewage cut from $30.9 million to $14.3 million! With Georgia experiencing revenue Georgia to $14.3 million! With $30.9 million cut from state budget, the cuts in these fed- shortfalls and a significantly reduced especially devastating. eral funds are Revolving Fund, which provides long-term, low-interest loans to states for long-term, low-interest Revolving Fund, which provides sewage plant construction and upgrades, will lose NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL ROLLBACKS THREATEN GEORGIA WATERS THREATEN ROLLBACKS ENVIRONMENTAL NATIONAL B from page 1 Continued EPD and Ray and Ted Turner Ted . for their encouragement and Laura and Rutherford was supportive of the idea. and , Magnus will help set the stage for the 10 vision in support of our work at The Foundry at Puritan Mill. For more information, contact [email protected] Pat Anderson Seydel September 17 celebration that will mark UCR's first decade of advocacy and education to protect the Chattahoochee River and its watershed. Mark your calendars now to help us honor MARK YOUR CALENDARS! Along with our 10th Anniversary Co-chairs Robert Kennedy Jr "Everyone suffers from polluted water, however, poorer however, "Everyone polluted water, suffers from see the especially vulnerable. You communities are effects of this in higher rates of disease in those communities. And that is something that affects society as a whole. UCR helps to bring about change that will benefit on the Chattahoochee. I am thrilled to all of us who rely I can help because be a part of this dynamic organization in making a difference." Director Carol Couch each year to Georgia for projects that will help reduce the reduce will help that for projects Georgia year to each runoff.of polluted stormwater impacts EPD officials, Key they that often declared have now retired, most of whom might sue which to groups to "give money didn't want regulatorythem" over of strong Despite years matters. office and mem- in Atlanta EPA the from encouragement to EPD refused Resources, of Natural bers of the Board to fix the problem. take any initiative of to my colleagues on the Board Last fall, I suggested that we support the necessaryNatural Resources legisla- 319(h) funds along to apply for tion to allow nonprofits and agreed governments. The Board with local and state was forwarded to Governor Perdue, a recommendation New DNR legislative proposals. along with other When the Governor's office responded that they wanted When the Governor's office responded bill during the session to concentrate on only one water Robert(HB 237, the water planning bill), Sen. Lamutt (R- (SB the legislation. His bill to introduce Cobb) agreed Senate committees, but did 530) made its way through day of the ses- not make it to the Senate floor by the 33rd sion, when all bills that have not passed at least one leg- the legislation, by islative body die. A final effort to revive amending it onto another bill failed, as noted above. Sen. in the 6th LaMutt is seeking election to the US Congress District, and the possibility that he might offend the real- his motivated tors, risking their support, presumably decision, which is understandable in the context. we anticipate that a new legislative sponsor, Next year, whose agenda is less complicated, will be able to pass a and their volunteers will have the bill so that nonprofits same opportunity to seek funding to conduct significant do in every as nonprofits other cleanup projects stream state in the southeast. Magnus in the southeast. May. During her nearly two May. years with our organization, over UCR's most Erin presided Appreciation successful Patron Dinner in 2003, and we will miss her positive, upbeat attitude. A graduate of Stanford Magnus has exten- University, sive fundraising experience in event skills with proven grant planning, media relations, writing and marketing for a variety of organizations, includ- variety of organizations, Keith of the Georgia Municipal of the Georgia Sen. Robert solitary hold-out as our new Special Events Coordinator, Tom Gehl Tom , caused his decision, , at the last minute. , at the last minute. EFLECTIONS replacing Erin Duffy who is expecting her first child in replacing n March, the UCR team was joined by the UCR n March, Christon ing the Stanford Fund and Stanford Alumni Association, Fund and Stanford ing the Stanford National Civic Rights Museum, and California African American Museum. As an independent consultant, his Basketball Association, the clients included the World Foundation, Habitat for Abdur Rahim Future Shareef and the Museum Studies Department of Humanity, Southern University in New Orleans. Magnus is pleased to be A native of Memphis, Tennessee, in His interest to his family. back in the South and nearer his commitment to making our environ- UCR stems from ment safer for all communities along the Chattahoochee. Magnus Christon R STAFFER TO ORGANIZE 10thSTAFFER EVENTS ANNIVERSARY I despite the fact that Hatcher's concerns had already been had already despite the fact that Hatcher's concerns the addition of an in the text of the bill by addressed Also "in for the kill" on amendment which he had written. the bill was Association, whose claim was that nonprofits would com- would nonprofits Association, whose claim was that Only a few cities pete with local governments for funds. this grant funds from have secured however, in Georgia, their years and successfully completed in recent program projects. LaMutt told nonprofit lobbyists LaMutt told nonprofit rights concerns" that "property lobbyist, of the realtors' Hatcher It is not a mere oversight on the part of Georgia's EPD the part oversight on of Georgia's It is not a mere to qualify for any that our state does not allow nonprofits $5 million in funding that is provided of the approximately Section 319(h) of the 1972 Clean Water Act established a Section 319(h) of the 1972 Clean Water as one way to encourage public- federal grant program water quality throughout private partnerships to improve include any entity groups the nation. Eligible nonprofit taxation pursuant to Section that is exempt from funded 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Projects in the southeast with 319(h) monies have included training, lawn chemical stormwater erosion/sediment education, agricultural best management practices education forestry landowner guides, steward programs, and dump remedi- projects, restoration stream programs, ation projects. Punitive Policy Georgia Alone in the Southeast like most states in In eight of nine southeastern states, eligible to com- are organizations nonprofit the country, the by provided annually pete for federal funds that are projects. pollution control for non-point source U.S. EPA is the Georgia Hopes for financial help for garden clubs, streamwatch garden financial help for Hopes for and similar lake associations farm bureaus, local groups, in protecting with an interest organizations nonprofit 24, March dashed on were water in their neighborhoods 2004 General the end of the only four days from the GA Plans for a bill that would have allowed Assembly. Protection Environmental fund projects Division (EPD) to source to clean up non-point dropped water pollution were by their sponsor, LaMutt Kay Lee Bert Ellis Billy Hall Receptionist Boat Captain Elena Mola Legal Support Policy Director Rubye Lucas Gary Gaines Sally Bethea Kristi Hastie Birgit Bolton Sonny Cohen Steve O’Day Darcie Boden Bill Crawford General Counsel Page Gleason Mary Manson Ray Anderson Chrissy Hobbs David Brookes Business Manager Dr. Judy Meyer Dr. Denise Donahue Harlan Trammell Magnus Christon Alice Champagne Elizabeth Nicholas Development Director Programs Coordinator/ River CHAT Riverkeeper Staff Riverkeeper Board of Directors Special Events Coordinator Skelly Holmbeck-Pelham 2 Director Watershed Education Director Watershed stewardship of the Watershed Protection Specialist Protection Watershed Director Headwaters ConservationDirector Headwaters Chattahoochee River, its Chattahoochee River, J. Rutherford Seydel II, Chair Executive Director and Riverkeeper Executive Director Our mission is to advocate tributaries and watershed. and secure the protection and

BLACK PMS 541 Job # 84308 ¥ 04.22.2004 3 Buford Dam Helen West West Point Lake Atlanta River CHAT Lake Lanier Upper Chattahoochee Basin West Point Dam West EORGIA G EADS TO NSTALLED AT H Georgia Power Company's I ASE discharge of 40 million gallons per of 40 million gallons discharge OURT C OWER C T On Patrol On ATES Y WINNETT UPREME LANT OOLING G S C P After – Just prior to Spring plant growth. Before In the summer of 2000, a coal-fired power plant located 2000, a coal-fired In the summer of water near Newnan, discharged on the Chattahoochee that was so hot virtuallyfish and other aquatic life all the low oxygen levels in of the plant died from downstream contacted by fishermen in the 22-mile UCR was the River. Point and West River between Plant Yates of the stretch this they had never seen a fish kill of Lake who said that River and many days magnitude. Low water levels in the heat required of extreme Like other to operate continuously. (GPC) Plant Yates withdraws millions of gallons of plants, Yates coal-fired the Chattahoochee each day to cool equip- water from A month the heated water to the River. ment and returns after the fish kill, GPC officials to install a cooling pledged that a similar incident did to make sure tower at Yates announced that it had GPC not happen again. In January, cooling tower whose completed the massive $80 million 1000' (L) by 100' (W) by 60' (H). dimensions are Lake Lanier from Our continuing legal battle to protect Gwinnett County's day of treated sewage heads to the Georgia Supreme sewage heads to the Georgia day of treated Court of Appeals over- the Georgia Court. In January, turned an earlier decision by Hall County Superior Court who had determined last year that Judge John Girardeau, applied the "anti- the state EPD had not appropriately Act, of the federal Clean Water degradation" provisions which say that high quality waters cannot be degraded unless it is shown to be "necessary". In essence, the Appeals Court upheld the EPD permit allowing Gwinnett wastewater to use the Lake as the repository of treated Court Supreme The Georgia county. the sprawling from or not to hear this case, over whether has the discretion which UCR filed along with co-plaintiffs Lake Lanier expect to be Association and Sierra Club in 2002. We notified of the Court's decision on whether or not to hear the case within a few months. ALISADES P (DOT) for con- EST LONG W A , had damaged park For information on soil UFFER had totally cleared the state- had totally cleared B SSUES AT I REEK C ESTROYS The Pacific Group CSX Railroad OODALL EVELOPMENT D CSX D CSX W DOT COMPLETES RESTORATION OF DAMAGED BUFFER DOT COMPLETES RESTORATION struction of Mill Green Parkway. Rottenwood is a major Parkway. struction of Mill Green which drains tributary to the Chattahoochee River, miles, including the city of square 20 approximately Marietta, and flows into the River about four miles above Atlanta's water intake. Compliance employees met UCR staff DOT Environmental on site to view the buffer violation and to discuss the and the mitigation for to the buffer, the impact project, the damage. Cobb County confirmed that the DOT con- state buffer the 25-foot without a tractor had cleared In addition, the streambank variance. state-approved by best management and unprotected bare remained practices after the initial clearing. At the time, the DOT said that it did not believe it was subject to the state's this misconception was however, buffer variance process, and we have been told that the DOT now has a corrected compliance with the law. in place to ensure process by Cobb County was approved plan A buffer restoration A which was completed this past February. and GA DOT, was stabilized with grass- 310-foot section of streambank es and matted with coconut fiber mats and staked with part of the willow stakes. In addition, the remaining is now planted with 0.341 acres approximately buffer, and shrubs. native trees In 2001, UCR received several calls on our Citizen several In 2001, UCR received Response HOTLINE and an email with photographs show- vegetated ing the destruction of the state-protected in Cobb County by the buffer along Rottenwood Creek Georgia Department of Transportation erosion control workshops, contact the Georgia Soil and Conservation Commission at 706-542-3065. Water protected 25-foot buffer along the Creek for more than for more 25-foot buffer Creek along the protected may have begun as minor maintenance half a mile. What of the easement ended as total destruction of a railroad water in downstream resulting buffer, natural stream to clear directly While CSX is allowed quality problems. its bulldozing of adjacent to its track for safety purposes, violates state law. vegetation to the edge of the Creek as the local issuing UCR contacted the city of Atlanta, and also the state control, authority for erosion Division (EPD). EPD is now Protection Environmental action against CSX, which should taking an enforcement the restore that the railroad include a requirement damaged area. A year ago, bulldozers began clearing 19 acres on the 19 acres A year ago, bulldozers began clearing Palisades Unit of bluffs West immediately adjacent to the Area Recreation the Chattahoochee River National a condominium project (CRNRA) in Cobb County to build Service The National Park (NPS) overlooking the River. onto CRNRA documented muddy stormwater flowing site, due to inadequate the construction from property best management practices. Photographs showed that the developer, soil and sedimentation that entered with eroded property a tributary Creek, Lily to the River within the Trout is now working cooperatively CRNRA. The Pacific Group actions with innova- with the NPS and taking corrective While features. tive BMP's that include using bio-retention to be located it is a big plus for a development project such as greenspace, adjacent to permanently protected can be special challenges that must be the CRNRA, there during construction. overcome Woodall Creek springs from the ground in an industrial in an the ground springs from Creek Woodall tracks, by railroad Atlanta surrounded of southwest area operations. In and trucking lumber yards plants, concrete late 2003, UCR staff observed along vegetation removal a highly successful from the Creek Creek---across Woodall initiated by Allied Readymix project stormwater control (see page 6). Tom For more information contact at Honda in Alpharetta for at Honda in Alpharetta includes special measures to ensure that ensure to includes special measures to further the no discharges are there pollution to our streams. The General pollution to our streams. which Permit is an important regulation in the best way to com- guides industries stormwater runoffbat the impacts of these facili- their sites and requires from General ties to obtain coverage under the runoff. stormwater Permit to discharge General Permit in Negotiation for When the General Permit came up almost a year ago, UCR General renewal, Counsel Betsy Nicholas began to partici- provide pate in stakeholder meetings and comments to the state on the re-drafting new of the Permit. While not yet final, the version of the General Permit is expected to contain several significant improve- a addition being ments, the greatest into discharges to regulate provision (303(d) listed) waterways.impaired In an owner or operator is this provision, not eligible for coverage under the of "pollu- General Permit for discharges tants of concern", unless the facility Joan Latham and inch. Only the most precise measuring devices and inch. Only the most precise clearly used in well-organized, Honda special tools were labeled work bays. outstanding, each with years of The instructors were award-win- Thorough, experience with Honda products. basic installation and it all from ning text books covered shooting. This was diagnosis, to trouble EFI programmed educational facility I undoubtedly the most professional have ever set foot in---including college. Unlike a typical multiple copies were shop, the place was spotless. There of every shop manual, all clearly labeled, for every engine Practically every made was avail- there. Honda outboard all in run- shooting, diagnosis and repair able for trouble ning tanks. Special thanks for this valuable experience go to Riggle allowing me this special opportunity, usually reserved allowing me this special opportunity, only for Honda dealers and their employees. This experi- my maintenance improve ence will allow me to greatly to go at skills to keep our fleet on the water and ready any time. or are not concerned with compliance. with compliance. not concerned or are parking that runoff from officialsFederal and state agree and roads and industrial operations, lots, commercial of the as much as 80 percent lawns may be contributing impairment of the stream. impairment of the stream. not certain whether their discharge Facilities that are or stream may contribute to the impairment of a stream to implement a stormwater sam- required segment are of the sampling on the results Depending pling program. be able to continue to operate under they may program, meas- the General Permit by installing additional control to In some instances, an industryures. may be required limita- obtain an individual permit with specific discharge tions. UCR will continue to investigate non-compliant and industries, participate in the General Permit review success stories, such as more drafting, and work towards the one at Allied ReadyMix. Betsy Nicholas at [email protected]. outboard motors outboard Before and after images of the Allied ReadyMix property. Photo credit: AJC ITES Honda S Allied ReadyMix NDUSTRIAL I to get the job done on the water. Going into my to get the job done on the water. CR has always relied on dependable, quiet, clean, CR has always relied environmentally-friendly he water in Woodall Creek was milky white and the was milky white Creek he water in Woodall when with a white residue, covered banks were Riverkeeper (UCR) staffUpper Chattahoochee vis- HONDA PRECISION ENSURES OUTBOARD RELIABILITY ninth year of service at UCR as master of passenger ves- maintenance. for all routine sels, I am responsible we have never been Because we use Honda outboards, stranded or left without a way to get on the water fast. I was allowed to participate in Honda This winter, Marine's factory at the technician training program Marine Mechanic's Institute in Orlando, Florida. What an ignition, charging, experience! The first week featured trim and tilt, and gear cases. The second week featured and engine management systems including carburetors EFI. The full-day classes showed me what it programmed with a and left me reliable takes to make a watercraft whole new perspective on precision. up and trouble-shot grouped veryClasses were small. We various engines, utilizing state-of-the-art tools. diagnostic carburetor replacing All instruction was hands-on-from diagnostic lower units, to reading jets, to rebuilding codes in engine management systems. Some Honda parts to four ten thousandths of an measured tolerances are CAPTAIN'S CORNER CAPTAIN'S Thousands of Regulated Industrial Facilities in Georgia ARM is one of the thousands of industrial facilities in under a General Permit for regulated that are Georgia Associated with Industrial Stormwater Discharges of the federal Activity (General Permit)---a requirement Act. This General Permit mandates certain Clean Water called best management industries to institute controls, rainwater (stormwater) practices (BMPs), to prevent on their sites and then enter- picking up pollutants from at Allied While the result ing into a nearby waterway. either many industries are Readymix is a success story, under the General Permit, of the requirements not aware (ARM) representatives and discussed (ARM) representatives the company's stormwater management plan and the condition and sufficiency of their best management practices. It was obvious that some employee practices at the site, such as the dumping of unneeded con- and other material behind the crete were Creek, facility next to Woodall ARM manage- impacting the stream. very to our con- ment were receptive cerns and quickly engaged an envi- the redesign engineer to ronmental stormwater management structures of this effort, and plan. The results completed in early 2004 which were a at a cost of about $250,000, reflect in the dramatic improvement stormwater management plan and practices at the plant (see photos). ited the small urban stream in southwest Atlanta last stream ited the small urban concrete noted several We summer. just upstream manufacturing plants them regard- and decided to contact that their activities ing our concerns water quality prob- might be causing lems in the Creek. met on-site with We U T UNOFF FROM R

s Boat Captain Harlan Trammell. ’ River CHAT

6 Riverkeeper EALING WITH

CONCRETE PLANT LEADS THE WAY ON STORMWATER CONTROL STORMWATER ON THE WAY LEADS PLANT CONCRETE D

BLACK PMS 541 Job # 84308 ¥ 04.22.2004 5 River CHAT

On April 24, the Captain Planet Foundation held its 2nd Annual "Down to Earth Day Kids Festival," at Centennial Olympic Park. Thousands of parents and children explored environmental themes, such as wildlife appreciation, renew- quality, water able energy, and native plants through hands-on activities. Environmental speaker Lois Gibbs, who led the fight to clean up the hazardous site know as Love Canal in the 1980s, inspired the crowd with her call to action mes- sage. UCR hosted three environmental education stations, including an interactive exhibit featuring our new to the CD-ROM, "Waters Sea: The Chattahoochee River." DOWN TO DAY EARTH FOR KIDS!

Photo by Kent Ruby Kent by Photo Ruby Kent by Photo Waters to Waters “ For more informa- . … Keep UCR Director of Watershed Education, Kristi UCR Director of Watershed Hastie, thanks sponsorsand partners for their generous support. and . ” tion, contact Pat Miolen at 770-254- 2620. working with local county officials. "A handful of teen leaders opened in their eyes and saw a problem being ignored," our environment Coach, Team said Environmental Pat Miolen. "They possessed the educat- and have character to care ed the community how young citi- zens can accomplish remarkable our environ- tasks in protecting ment." Hats off to 4-H Coweta County! Last Team month, the Environmental Adopt-A- Georgia was awarded Extraordinary Volunteer Stream's at the annual Effort Award Alliance Education Environmental and team member Cody of Georgia Disque, who was instrumental in was awarded forming this group, Beautiful's Student of Keep Georgia in 2003. the Year and John Shepard and Tracy Fredin, producers of John Shepard and Tracy the Sea and will take , and the . Implementation Chattahoochee Nature River Kids River Arthur M. Blank Richard C. Munroe Family Foundation Sustainable Forestry Initiative For more informa- to tion on Waters the Sea, contact Kristi Hastie at khastie@ucriver- or 404- keeper.org 352-9828 ext. 17. and dissemination of the and dissemination CD-ROM throughout schools in the Chattahoochee River Basin will be supported by the Robert W. Woodruff Robert W. Foundation the Foundation place this summer. and hiked alomg the banks of the Chattahoochee River to learn about the natural history of the area. Additional partners in this initiative include Roswell Beautiful. Center, Cobb County Water System, Cobb County Water Center, Quality, Fulton County Water Georgia Adopt-A-Stream s 2003 Youth Environmental s 2003 Youth ’ (HWHP) Coweta County 4H was a finalist at the Georgia Conservancy Symposium. (GCEE) at MAKES SPLASHING DEBUT! DEBUT! SPLASHING MAKES cation programs to more than 1,500 to more cation programs 15 fifth grade students, provided speaking engagements reaching than 2,300 people, and more worked diligently to stop illegal by Creek dumping along Wahoo ” Waters to the Sea: Waters Hamline University and Oxbow Meadows Environmental Learning Center in Columbus, UCR developed this innovative new, and educational CD-ROM for ele- mentary and mid- dle school aged students. This educational tool CD-ROM. In partnership with the -a tributary was made possible through generous was made possible through Healthy Water, Healthy People Healthy Water, The Coca-Cola Company, Georgia Power, The Coca-Cola Company, Wahoo Creek-- Wahoo n February 24, more than 70 environmental edu- n February than 70 environmental 24, more supporterscators, friends and UCR joined us of first viewing of for the at Scitrek n April 4-5, 18 educators were trained as the first n April 4-5, 18 educators were national facilitators. Based on a new, National K-12 cur- facilitators. Based on a new, our years ago, 4-H Coach, Pat Miolen, and two members of Cody Team, the 4-H Wildlife WATERS TO THE SEA TO WATERS support from support from allows students to learn more about the water cycle, about allows students to learn more well as and ecosystem concepts, as watershed hydrology important and natural history cultural concepts. a CD-ROM through is delivered of the project The core virtual down the length of the river journey a fascinat- The canoe trip provides Chattahoochee River. the paddlers through ing historical perspective that takes of early history modern times. Production to of Georgia Waters to the Sea Waters Global Center for EnvironmentalGlobal Center for Education The Chattahoochee River The Chattahoochee riculum, HWHP is an innovative water quality education Education for WET (Water by Project sponsored program and the Hach Scientific Foundation. Georgia Teachers) will be the first state to debut this curriculum and offer a facilitator training workshop to demonstrate the training of volunteer monitors and the best ways to use this cur- Adopt-A- taught Georgia riculum. Participants were WET, to Project introduced monitoring protocols, Stream GEORGIA PROJECT WET BRINGS NATIONAL CURRICULUM TO LOCAL AREA CURRICULUM GEORGIA PROJECT WET BRINGS NATIONAL STUDENT HAPPENINGS AROUND THE WATERSHED STUDENT HAPPENINGS AROUND THE COWETA'S 4-H ENVIRONMENTAL TEAM MONITORS LOCAL CREEKS TEAM MONITORS 4-H ENVIRONMENTAL COWETA'S to the Chattahoochee River in Coweta County. has Since 2000, this 4-H group creek three actively monitored sites, drawn plans for a new nature four cleanups in organized center, conjunction with Rivers Alive at 13 sites for 380 volunteers, mentored edu- environmental and presented Disque and Dane Beatenbough, invited to attend a Georgia were (GA AAS) work- Adopt-A-Stream led by shop in North Georgia Fulton County Cowden, Sharon Coordinator. Adopt-A-Stream partnership a continued Through with Kim Morris-Zarneke at GA AAS, the students visited their local waterways and found hazardous of and an abundance waste barrels trash in “ NOW AVAILABLE CD-ROM NEW INTERACTIVE F O O For If you are Volunteers removed more than 40 tires from Volunteers the river. more information, including a hatch chart for fishermen, see www.chattahoocheefoodwebs.org sampling methods that target colo- sampling methods that target nizing aquatic food webs. The goal is to monitor water quality on a long-term basis and make the information available to the public. The volunteers, primarily enthusi- astic fly fishermen, must complete an informal entomology class Adopt-a their county through Each sample is program. Stream labeled, keyed to genus, and pre- served five years of in alcohol. With now are some trends research, observable.Caddisfly populations of particular species have dropped, in has been an increase but there other subspecies. Also noted: the of species like scuds--- proliferation a a crustacean, which provides for trout. food source great NPS, , and . Thanks (LAA) top Aquascape Latin American Graham Anthony, Bill Kessler, Chris Uberto, Sarah Buckner, Brian & Rob Sayer, Michelle Brian & Rob Sayer, Chris Uberto, Sarah Buckner, Bill Kessler, Graham Anthony, (photo by Melissa Buckner) Marcus, Kevin & Olivia Buckner. interested in getting involved with a River Neighbor Program, please contact Birgit Bolton @ bbolton@ucriver- or Graham Anthony @ [email protected] keeper.org ting to know officials representing various river authori- ting to know officials representing hope that ties, such as the National Park Service. We Graham's idea will serve as a template for similar efforts in other subdivisions along the Chattahoochee. Association pitched in to clean up the Powers Island Unit the LAA paddled from of the CRNRA on April 17. Students hard-to-reach canoes along the riverbank to remove who helped trash. A huge thanks to all our volunteers clean up the river this spring. Environmental Cummins South, Inc., Cummins South, participating organizations included the Earthshare, REI the and donation to a generous UCR member John from able to we were Baker, cleanup sup- purchase plies, as well as lunch for the volunteers. from Volunteers in the country. in the country. and , who state-designated trout stream with stream state-designated trout public of protected over 6,000 acres land and is listed as one of the 100 trout streams Over the years, Chris and other fly fishermen noticed that aquatic such as communities in the River, mayflies, caddisflies and stoneflies, was there disappearing. Yet, were being conducted on no research crucial these insects, which are fish and serve for food sources as excellent water quality indicators. Given the absence of macroinverte- brate studies on the mainstem of was formed with CCWFF the River, of directors, board an impressive the local fisheries representing selected six The board community. sampling sites, evenly distributed Under a National along the River. Park Service special use permit, volunteers collect benthic macroin- using two vertebrates quarterly, to hold a OLUNTEERS at the Settles V Graham Anthony ). The UNDREDS OF Trout Unlimited H of Christopher Cohutta, Upper Chattahoochee, Cohutta, Upper Chattahoochee,

RAW D , who grew up fishing the , who grew

CR was busy this spring, organizing and partici- spring, organizing CR was busy this of River events. On March pating in a wide variety day a cleanup and awareness 6, we helped with lives in the Huntcliff Subdivision on Morgan Falls lives in the Huntcliff Subdivision on Morgan us last year with a Lake near Roswell, approached ong-time UCR supporter n 1998, the nonprofit Chattahoochee Cold Water Fishery Foundation (CCWFF) LEANUPS www.riverthroughatlanta.com RIVER NEIGHBOR PROGRAM TAKES OFF AT HUNTCLIFF SUBDIVISION OFF AT RIVER NEIGHBOR PROGRAM TAKES section of the Chattahoochee Chris and his clients fish is a where Chattahoochee River near Roswell and has been guiding fly fishing float trips with “River Through Atlanta Guide Service” since 1994 ( was established by Scalley Chris Scalley (L) and fishing partner. new idea---a "River Neighbor" project. The basic idea is new idea---a "River Neighbor" project. very simple. Graham is serving as the designated point of contact between UCR and the Huntcliff neighbors. In this that information on our he is making sure capacity, events, cleanups, issues, and alerts is included in all of made aware Huntcliff that we are publications and being undertaken by the neighbor- projects river-related and fielding hood. He is encouraging cooperative projects questions about the River and UCR. In a short time, A meet- progress. made tremendous Graham has already ing that he facilitated in January neighbors brought in plans for together for a lively discussion that resulted a spring river cleanup and a program, an adopt-a-stream fly fishing demonstration. In addition, several neighbors Power in being involved with Georgia interested are Falls Dam and in get- of Morgan Company's re-licensing COLD WATER FISHERY FOUNDATION ESTABLISHED BY LOCAL GUIDE ESTABLISHED FOUNDATION FISHERY COLD WATER River cleanup at the East Palisades unit of the CRNRA in River cleanup at the East Palisades of Service. Day conjunction with their Great Additional Peachtree Road United Methodist Church Tailwater Chapters Tailwater organized by the organized Bridge Unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreational Bridge Unit of the Buford from a few miles downstream (CRNRA)---just Area to and close than 30 partnering organizations Dam. More tons of debris, stock 100 volunteers pitched in to remove struc- and restoration control fish, and install erosion The National Park Servicetures. (NPS) and Gwinnett to top of the road County plan to install a gate near the was access. The access road Settles Bridge to control load of gravel was graded after the cleanup, and a truck The NPS parking area. dumped and smoothed out in the areas the eroded has also put up orange fencing around says "Catch your and posted signs, including one that limit, limit your kill". with UCR partnered For the sixth consecutive year, SPRING CLEANING ALONG THE RIVER THE ALONG CLEANING SPRING C I L U

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