Winter 2018
A publication of Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK)
THE PUBLIC DESERVES
NOTICE
of Coal Ash Pond Closure
require notice and opportunity for public input before the discharges begin.
Sometimes we think we’ve cleaned something up, but all we’ve really done is move the mess around and create problems for others. That is the scenario that worries CRK member Roberta Cook, who lives near Georgia Power Company’s (GPC) Plant McDonough-Atkinson.
To address the potential impacts from longterm storage, a second bill proposes more protective siting requirements for landfills storing coal ash, as well as increased monitoring so we can detect any leaks into groundwater.
The plant is located on the Chattahoochee River in Smyrna. Cook told CRK that in 2016 she watched the utility company ramp up activities around four coal ash ponds on site without giving neighbors any notice about what kind of work was being done. The activity made her worry about the coal ash waste from the ponds draining into the river, but she knows it poses other threats as well.
"Without [minimum state standards] there is no 100 percent assurance to the public that we are doing the right thing,” state Rep. Jeff Jones, R-Brunswick, told reporters. Rep. Jones introduced these bills in 2017 and is working with a coalition of legislators to pass them during the 2018 session. "I believe there should be statewide criteria in place to give citizens adequate notice before a decision is made to start accepting coal ash at a landfill in their community.”
“I’m not just concerned about the river. I know there is arsenic and other chemicals in the coal ash, and I am concerned about that getting into the groundwater,” she told CRK. “It sounds like the company is trying to clean up the site, but we need to know what they are doing. A lot of times, we think we’ve cleaned something up, but we end up creating another problem.” Cook is not the only Georgian sounding the alarm about GPC’s efforts to “close” its coal ash waste storage sites, nor is the Chattahoochee the only river threatened by those efforts. Coal ash is the waste remaining after coal is burned to produce electricity. The waste contains concentrations of dangerous heavy
metals including arsenic and lead that can leach into surface water and groundwater, potentially contaminating drinking water supplies. For decades GPC has stored the ash in ponds into which stormwater flows. There are billions of gallons of this wet coal ash waste stored in Georgia. GPC operates 11 power plants in Georgia where 29 ponds have been built to store coal ash. Twelve of these coal ash ponds are located at the three plants on the Chattahoochee River: Plant McDonoughAtkinson in Smyrna and Plants Yates and Wansley outside of Newnan. In 2016, GPC announced efforts to end the storage of wet coal ash and close all of the ponds. CRK and its partners in the Georgia Water Coalition want certainty that GPC’s solutions don’t create other problems for our waterways. We are working with legislators to ensure safe, long-term storage of this waste. Public notice currently is not required before ponds are drained, but public pressure during the 2017 legislative session led to the utility posting notice after the activities began. Proposed legislation would
"The disposal of coal ash in our districts is of major concern to our constituents, who are concerned about the unregulated dumping of coal ash [and] the contamination of our creeks, rivers and marshes from the dewatering of decommissioned ash pond." From October 27, 2017, Letter by Georgia Reps. Jeff Jones and Don Hogan of St. Simons, and Sen. Jason Spencer of Woodbine to Georgia U.S. Congressional Delegation, outlining concerns about state and federal regulation of coal ash.
STAFF MELANIE BAIRD
REFLECTIONS THE NEXT GENERATION
COMMUNICATIONS & MARKETING MANAGER
TAMMY BATES
OUTINGS MANAGER
HANNAH BRADFORD
WATERSHED PROTECTION SPECIALIST & NATURALIST
LAURA BREYFOGLE WPLFC NATURALIST
DALE CALDWELL
HEADWATERS DIRECTOR
JULIET COHEN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
ERIK FYFE
WATERSHED PROTECTION SPECIALIST
HENRY JACOBS
MIDDLE CHATTAHOOCHEE OUTREACH MANAGER
KEVIN JESELNIK
Of all of the activities Chattahoochee Riverkeeper (CRK) undertakes to protect our beautiful river—from monitoring to patrolling, lobbying to advocating—perhaps our most critical role is educating the next generation. As the owner of the state’s only two floating classrooms, we take nearly 10,000 youth on the water for hands on water quality education every year. For 18 years, we have partnered with the Elachee Nature Science Center to deliver the Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center.
GENERAL COUNSEL
BECCA KLEIN
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
FIONA LIEN
WEST ATLANTA WATER FELLOW
CHRIS MANGANIELLO WATER POLICY DIRECTOR
MICHAEL MEYER
NEIGHBORHOOD WATER WATCH DIRECTOR
Once significant improvement in water quality downstream of Atlanta was achieved following our lawsuit against the City of Atlanta to clean up their combined storm sewer system, we launched the Miss Sally in 2015 and a similar floating classroom on West Point Lake (see page 8).
CATHERINE LEWIS SÁENZ DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATE
JESSICA STERLING
TECHNICAL PROGRAMS DIRECTOR
SUZETTE TAYLOR
FINANCIAL MANAGER
JASON ULSETH RIVERKEEPER
HANNAH WARNER
HEADWATERS OUTREACH COORDINATOR
CHRISTINA YORK
DATABASE MANAGER
BOARD OF DIRECTORS J. RUTHERFORD SEYDEL II, CHAIR DAVE KIRKPATRICK, VICE-CHAIR LEE CHADWICK REBECCA CRANFORD
My first interaction with CRK was in 2001 when my University of Georgia Hydrology & Geology class came aboard the original Chota Princess on Lake Lanier. Captain Harlan Trammell was at the helm and little did I know at the time, but six years later Captain Harlan would become my nautical mentor as I pursued a U.S. Coast Guard Master Captain license. While most school days run together in past memory, I have always remembered that day on the boat because, and experts agree, learning by doing is very effective in helping students truly understand information and how that information relates to their world.
FELICIA DAVIS
Now 17 years later, I cannot be more proud of the role I have played in helping to provide an environmental education for more than 60,000 students. The Chota Princess II was launched in 2007 and is operating at maximum capacity, as is the Miss Sally. CRK is committed to finding ways to provide this opportunity to as many students as possible because we cannot fully protect this river system unless the next generation understands how important it is to their lives, too. And I personally cannot wait until my two children climb aboard in the coming years.
Jason Ulseth, RIVERKEEPER
SARAH DEARMAN DENISE DONAHUE BERT ELLIS MARK GREATREX GERARD GUNTHERT
FACES OF THE CHATTAHOOCHEE
BILLY HALL VICTOR HAYDEL RICHARD JACOBSON MARY ANNE LANIER JEFF MOKOTOFF STEVE O’DAY JAMIE PRYOR MARY SCHREPFER DAVID SHAFFER LAURA SMITH CATHERINE WOODLING
Our mission is to advocate and secure the protection and stewardship of the Chattahoochee River, its lakes, tributaries and watershed. ATLANTA OFFICE
KEITH SHARP President Riverwalk Atlanta
3 PURITAN MILL 916 JOSEPH LOWERY BLVD. ATLANTA, GA 30318 404-352-9828 GAINESVILLE OFFICE 104 WASHINGTON STREET, S.E. GAINESVILLE, GA 30501 678-696-8866 LAGRANGE OFFICE 35 LAFAYETTE SQUARE LAGRANGE GA 30240 706-882-3701
WWW.CHATTAHOOCHEE.ORG
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because it is “our” river here in Atlanta, and we "I love the Chattahoochee River live nearby in the neighborhood called Riverside in Atlanta’s Upper West Side. Since CRK forced the City to clean up their act, this part of the river has improved so that it is an asset —if we can just get to it. My wife, who’s pen name is "Riverside Kate” decided that we should advocate for access to the river, so we created a non-profit called Riverwalk Atlanta. We have promoted a very feasible 5-mile greenway along the river to improve the extremely limited access to the Chattahoochee within Atlanta City Limits, and we are grateful for validation labeled as the future Chattahoochee River Park in the recently published Atlanta City Design.” CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER
ON PATROL WITH CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER CHICKEN PROCESSOR POLLUTES CREEK IN GAINESVILLE During routine investigations of industrial sites, CRK found that Victory Foods – a chicken processor with two facilities in Gainesville - did not have any required water quality monitoring reports on file at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). We requested the reports from Victory, which showed high levels of oil and grease, suspended solids and fecal coliform flowing off of the facilities when it rains into Flat Creek. We are currently working with the facility managers to ensure the facility comes into compliance with clean water laws.
GOLF COURSE REHAB IMPACTS CITY CREEKS During the ongoing rehabilitation project of the Bobby Jones Golf Course in NW Atlanta, we received several calls on our Hotline regarding muddy water flowing into Tanyard and Peachtree Creeks during a heavy rain. We were able to get pollution trackers in the area quickly and identified substantial visible impacts on both creeks caused by insufficient erosion controls on the golf course. We immediately notified the City of Atlanta who issued a Stop-Work order on all construction activities until the violations could be rectified.
ALABAMA HAS EYES ON WATER QUALITY CRK’s LaGrange office received two HOTLINE reports about the same spill. Watchful eyes in Lanett, AL reported a storm drain flowing sewage into a tributary only 100 yards from the Chattahoochee River. Our team immediately inspected the site and found not one, but two storm drains overflowing with waste. CRK reported the spill to the City of Lanett, which quickly worked to stop the spill and we have confirmed the spill was stopped.
STOP-WORK ORDER IN DOUGLAS COUNTY CRK was contacted by a landowner in Douglas County who was concerned that a large construction project abutting his property was impacting a local stream. We inspected the site following a rain storm and observed large quantities of muddy water flowing off of the site and into the local stream. We notified Douglas County officials who issued a stopwork order at the construction site and required the developer to improve their erosion and sediment controls prior to commencing work. CRK and Douglas County are continuing to monitor the site.
BEAVERBROOK PARK SPILL Quick work from a Neighborhood Water Watch volunteer and our tracking teams led to the discovery of a contamination source upstream of our test site in beautiful Beaverbrook Park. E.coli levels in the popular north Atlanta park were more than 100 times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency safe recreation standard so our trackers followed the waterway to a small tributary where a cracked manhole was visibly spilling into the stream. Follow-up tests confirm the repairs made by City of Atlanta were effective and water quality has returned to baseline conditions.
REPORT ON AGRICULTURAL WATER USE INFORMS COALITION The Georgia Water Coalition’s new report— Watering Georgia: The State of Water and Agriculture in Georgia—highlights the history and economics of irrigated agriculture and explains how the EPD issues and regulates 24,000 agricultural water withdrawal permits across the state. The report, written by CRK’s Water Policy Director Chris Manganiello, identifies technological, water source and geographic trends in agriculture water use and recommends a need to collect more reliable and relevant data on water withdrawals and water use, and how much water crops need for the highest yield.
For more information, visit: chattahoochee.org/our-work/enforcing-environmental-laws
WWW.CHATTAHOOCHEE.ORG
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THE AMERICAN BEAVER: FRIEND OR FOE? The largest rodent found in North America, the beaver has created a small divide among landowners and biologists. Those that have encountered a beaver dam or seen the destruction these furry architects can cause may say that the beaver is a nuisance, a pest animal that needs to be removed. A single beaver can cut down as many as 200 trees in a year; the estimated cost of damage to the U.S. timber industry in a single year is approximately $22 million. Beaver dams can back up stream beds and even flood property. The cost of damages that landowners face can be substantial; however, beavers are more than their destruction. Biologists across the country classify beavers as keystone species, a species upon which others in an ecosystem depend. These animals form wetlands, which provide necessary habitat for nearly half of all threatened and endangered species in North America. Wetlands are threatened in their own right, and the fact that beavers can restore that lost habitat is vital.
“They [beavers] are one of the coolest animals, they are one of the few mammals besides humans that can change their habitat to better suit them and I think that is really special.” - Kerstin Motsch, Biologist Oxbow Meadows in Columbus, Georgia
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are many great tips available online for removing beavers from your area as well as information about living alongside beavers with minimal damage. Though beavers are not the easiest neighbor to have, they are one of the most interesting and are essential for life within the Chattahoochee Watershed.
These beaver-made wetlands also help to filter out sediments, excess nitrogen and harmful toxins, and can prevent these pollutants from entering into streams and rivers. Understandably, some individuals remove and relocate beavers from their property to prevent damage and loss of income. There
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A HIGH FLYING FRIEND OF THE RIVER “I love the Chattahoochee. I live on the river; I fish in it; we get our water from it. It is an amazing resource,” says CRK Board of Directors member Gerard Gunthert. A native of New York, Gerard first moved to the Atlanta area in 1999 and has lived on the Chattahoochee for 14 years. “I am always amazed when I meet someone who doesn’t realize how important the Chattahoochee is for us to protect,” he explains. Gerard first became involved with CRK 10 years ago after meeting CRK’s founding riverkeeper and executive director Sally Bethea at a concert. He soon began volunteering with the organization and hosting an annual riverside party to raise money for CRK. Since 2010, Gerard and his wife Abby’s “Rockin on the Hooch” parties have inspired others to become involved and have raised more than $41,000 for Chattahoochee River protection. Gerard brought his fundraising prowess and passion for the river to the CRK Board of Directors in 2015, and lately he has been helping keep watch over the Chattahoochee literally by bringing staff members over the river in his six-seater airplane. “Viewing the river and its tributaries from above is a very effective way to spot sources of sediment runoff and other threats to water quality in real-time,” explains Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth. After one post-rainstorm flight with Gerard in October, CRK identified multiple 4 RIVERCHAT
GERARD GUNTHERT Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Member, Board of Directors
construction projects causing sediment pollution in the river and took action to ensure these sites repair their erosion controls and prevent future runoff. Other sites we have investigated and photographed from the air with Gerard are discussed elsewhere in this month’s newsletter (see story on coal ash page 1, and construction site story on page 11).
“It feels good to be involved with an organization that is so efficient and impactful. I’m glad to be able to help protect a river that we all love.”
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR MEMBERS AND DONORS FOR HELPING US KEEP WATCH OVER OUR WATERS!
July 2017 through December 2017
RIVER BENEFACTOR ($10,000 & UP) Anonymous Aveda Corporation Callaway Foundation Charles Stewart Mott Foundation Cox Conserves The Coca-Cola Foundation, Inc. The Coca-Cola Company Colonial Pipeline Company Jennifer & Graham Dorian EarthShare of Georgia George Brown Trust of Atlanta Georgia Georgia-Pacific Corporation Hampshire Foundation Victor Haydel The Home Depot Foundation Homestead Foundation The Kendeda Fund Sally & Pete Parsonson PC Construction Company PTS Screen Printing & Embroidery Patti & Don Ross Laura & Rutherford Seydel SweetWater Brewing Company The Sapelo Foundation Thomas E Noonan Family Foundation Turner Enterprises, Inc. United Distributors Wells Fargo Betsy & Mark West Wilson Family Foundation RIVER DEFENDER ($5,000 - $9,999) Anonymous Kitty & Glenn Bosio Amy & Kenton Brown Atlanta Department of Watershed Management Wendy & Peter Corry Georgia Aquarium, Inc. Google Abby & Gerard Gunthert Judy & Walter Hoyt Hutchinson - Traylor Insurance Mary Jane & Dave Kirkpatrick Live Nation Amanda & Paul Mayberry William Phelps Stephanie Stuckey Sweetgrass Foundation, Inc. The Charter Foundation, Inc. The Jinks Private Foundation Tran-Siberian Orchestra RIVER ADVOCATE ($2,500 - $4,999) Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Anonymous Carroll EMC Foundation City of LaGrange Clingman Family Susan & Carl Cofer Denise Donahue & Simone du Boise Elachee Nature Science Center EMSA Fund, Inc Bonnie & Mike Jackson Johnson Ohana Charitable Foundation Jim Keifer Harriet & Phil Langford Mary Anne & Jaime Lanier Patricia & Donald Lehman Moondogs Morgan Stanley NewFields Patagonia Andrea & John Pruitt III Royal Little Family Foundation Smith, Gambrell, & Russell, LLP Southern Sailing Club The Terra Fund Melody Wilder Wilson & David Wilson
GIPL Joan & Bill Goodhew III Grow Day Camps, LLC Anonymous Hampton & Hudson LLC Deborah & David Barnhart Hillside Montessori Robert Beck Alex Hinerfeld Elizabeth & Ken Hixson Callie & Riddick Beebe Cathy & Phillip Hodges Mark & Michele Bell Janco Family Sally Bethea Aminata Lamin Mr. & Mrs. James Blanchard Daniel Locke Jami Buck-Vance Drew Lohoff Clea & Marcus Calloway Lara Lowman Gail & David Chester Betty Obenshain & Brad Marsh Sidney & Don Childress Peter & Rochelle Marte Lori & Ken Cohen Mike Masters Brad Courts Mellow Mushroom Walter Craig Jr. North River Tavern Caroline & David Crawford Mr. & Mrs. Sam Nunn Julie & Thomas Cutler Oak Mountain Academy Cypress Street Pint & Plate Gene & Jean O'Brien John & Grace Davidson Marc Overcash Karen & James Dearborn William A. Parker Eileen & Bo DuBose Nikhil Perumbeti Ellis Communications, Inc. Fonda Family Foundation, Inc. Andrew Philippo Teed & Sadler Poe Lynn & David Fountain Point University Friends of the City of Kent & Jamie Pryor West Point, Inc. Georgia Power Foundation, Inc. Six Feet Under Nancy & Todd Smith John & Eileen Gilberto Sunset Hills Country Club Michael & Kimberly Goot SweetWater Brewing Company Helen & John Gordon The Nook on Piedmont Park Caroline & Mark Greatrex Unicoi Outfitters Julie Hairston VML Foundation Walter Hall John Whittemore David Hendrickson Kristian & Matt Whittington Scott & Jennifer Hightower Ian Woolard Joni House Kara & Scott Yates Susanne Keough & Sydney Roberts FRIEND OF THE RIVER Uriel Kitron ($250-$499) Catherine Lautenbacher Carol Lipinski Ansley Park Civic Lockheed Martin Association Inc. Aeronautical Systems Carolyn Appen Helene Long Atkins Park Tavern (Atlanta) Elizabeth & Bruce Macgregor Julia Bannerman Donna & Bill Malloy Carol & Woody Bartlett Marietta Street Beverage Co. Leslie Battle Moore Family Foundation Henry Bauer Network for Good John F. Beech Nolen Reeves Music Inc. William Bell Susan & Ted Pound Dean Bell Clare & Norm Richie Black Bear Tavern Roderick S, Flossie R, Jennifer Blake & Helen M Galloway Brake Pad Foundation, Inc. Rob Brooks David Shaffer Andrew Buccellato Gil Shearouse Cafe Lily Jan & Barry Sinnock Timothy Cambias Skrynecki Family James Chapman & Jeannie & Charles Smith Jennifer Reisch Wesley Smith Rob Chhokar Snellings Walters Insurance Concessions International, LLC Agency Dan & Ellen Corrie Mark Softge Janet & John Costello Judi & Bahns Stanley Joyce & Mike Cotter Troup County Board of Coxe Curry & Associates Education Dantanna's Upper Chattahoochee Chapter Kommerina Daling & of Trout Unlimited Dr. John O'Sullivan VML-Atlanta Susan & Ron Determann Krist & Ben Voyles Kristen Dooley Ruth Woodling Double Tree Perimeter Atlanta Dunwoody RIVER PATRON Eagles Nest Educators ($500-$999) Association Inc. Stephanie & Robert Earley Alicia Anderson Eclipse Di Luna Yum & Ross Arnold Emerson Unitarian Universalist Melanie Baird Congregation, Inc. Tammy Bates Suzanne Eskin Blue Heron Nature Preserve Fayette County Extension/4-H Michael Bufkin Susan Ferguson Debbie & Speer Burdette Lora & Geoffrey Fishman Ansley & Mark Callaway Frank Family Foundation Carol & Kenneth Campbell Carolina & Sam Friedman Clayton Distributing Tracey & Gary Gaines Company, Inc. Michael Gallagher Johanna & Adrian Drost Yvette L. Garner Jodi & Jeff Dufresne Tamra & Steve Glenn Echelon Country Club Lisa Gower Elmyriachi Buddy Hall & Frontstream Holdings, LLC Jennifer Martin Hall RIVER CONSERVATOR ($1,000-$2,499)
WWW.CHATTAHOOCHEE.ORG
HBCU Green Fund Highlands Grill David Hudson Zachary Hunt IDK, INC. April Ingle Intro Family Mark & Amanda Jenkins JM Williams Contractors Melissa Thurmond & Elliott Jones Audrie Kelton John Kloecker Leslie Kuban LaGrange Newcomers & Beyond Andrew & Juliette Lebor Lubo Fund Elise & Dan MacIntyre Scott MacKenzie Manuel's Tavern Marketplace at LaFayette Square Daniel Mcintyre David McKinney Mincey Marble Mfg., Inc. Jeff Mokotoff Peter Montgomery Katharine & Andrew Montgomery Jack Morgan Larry Mosley & Kate McGregor Mosley New Community Church Marie & Steve Nygren Ormsby's Maureen & Thomas O'Shea Patrick Dugans Restaurant People First Patricia & Michael Petelle Phena Tim Phillips Jim Powell Victor T. Prevatt Gregory Puckett Teresa Raczek Walt Ray Rocky Mountain Pizza Roguewood Restaurant Group Karen & Clay Rolader RPS Nadia Sawicki Virginia Schenck Terry Schiff Cheryl Shaw John Shaw Robert Shellenberger Sam Shelton Stacy Shelton Sierra Club Georgia Denise & Tony Smith Melanie & Eric Stallings Robert & Regina Stephenson Esther & Jim Stokes Tanyard Creek Community Garden Trinity Christian School Troup County College Troup County Extension Twin Cedars United Way of Greater Atlanta University of North Georgia Ashley Vandiver Vintage Pizza - Dunwoody LLC J.J. Jaxon WB Athens, LLC Stacey & Jason Weldon Peter Wellman Larry Westerman Claudia & Lea Williams Susan & Elliott Winton Woofs on Piedmont Uri Wurtzel Heath Yates Helen & Griggs Zachry RIVER SUPPORTER ($100-$249) Alice Richards Charitable Fund Anonymous Joyce Allen Ina Allison & Jeff Hite Valerie & Cotten Alston
Peggy Amend & Robert Buschman Felicia Andrew Jan & Mike Angstadt Larry Auerbach Rhonda Bailey Sarah Barmeyer Bearden Barnes Jay Bassett Ann & Ted Beason James Bendall Penelope & Ronnie Bernath Jim Berry Elizabeth Bibby Nancy & Gary Bivins Blue Leaf Hotels LLC Joseph Boland John H. Bolton & Nedra Whitehead David Bolton Beverly & Lamar Booth Andrew Bowen Sondra & Patrick Bowie Carol Boyd Ed Brasch Bill Braswell Jeri Breiner Marcia Brelsford Lynn & Michael Briggs Roger Brinson Austin Bristow Bill Brooksher Billy Brooksher Claire Brown Lauranne Buchanan Fran Burst-Terranella John Butler Vern Callahan Anna Callaway Amy & A. Christopher Callicott Theresa & Chris Camp Julie Campbell Daniel Caplan Kathleen Carr Scott Case Chris Cassell Mysti & Christopher Cenkner Heidi Chandonia Brian Chapin & Karen Silverthorn Chattahoochee Nature Center Mitchell Clifton Richard Cohen Peter Collins Sheree Colton Mitt Conerly Peter Conlon Jane A. Craig Joshua Crane-Whittington Mary Creech Caroline & Tom Crittenden Jim Crowley Benjamin Dahl Cody Dallas Angela Danovi Nancy Daves Linda & Gene Davidson Deron Davis Christopher Davis & Annette Verhoff Sarah & Adam Dearman Cinthia Debatin & Eduardo Crespo June Deen Jodi Dick Dabney Dixon Jennifer DuBose Mary & Andrew Dugenske Thomas Dunken Sue Dunlap Ken Durand Courtenay & George Dusenbury Peter Dvornek Francine Dykes & Richard Delay Edward White Elementary Bill Eisenhauer Elizabeth W. Elliott Korri Ellis Ralph Ellis Suzanne & Bud Elsea Anne & Martin Emanuel Ben Emanuel & Jessica Sterling
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Carol Emmons John F. Euart Kitty & Clayton Farnham Carol & Scott Farrer David Fedewa Melissa Ferretti Roisin Florence Brent & Richard Fraim Christine & Dieter Franz Jeanne French Stacy Funderburke & Helaine Woodroof Geri & Tim Gagat Mary & Richard Gerakitis Anne Gerry Rebecca Gilbert Edward S. Giles Judy & John Girardeau Gigi & Edward Glasscock Brian Glaze Micah Goldstein Edward Green Larry Griffiths Sarah Grizzle Mr. & Mrs. Haley Lillian & Mike Hall Mr. & Mrs. Billy Hall Amanda M. Hallauer Kendall Hamilton Hannah Solar, LLC Scott Hansard Suzanne & William Hardaway Peter Harrell Wayne Healy Tom Hensley Rene Hesse Mona Heyer Caleb Hill Kigin Hill Ben Hinson Melinda Hobbs Joan & Bill Hoffman Amanda Hoffman Carol Holliday Natalie & Philip Holloway Michael Honnold Evelyn Hopkins Nancy J. Hostetter Anne & Rene Huberdeau Connie & David Huelsbeck Veronica & Michael Humphrey Cara & Scott Inman Garrick Isert Holly Iyer Moshe Jacobson J.J. Jaxon Brianne & Kevin Jeselnik Ginny Johansmeier Jeanne & Stephen Johnson Colleen & Barry Jones Jane Harmon & Mikell Jones Gary Jones Kelly Jordan Chambless & Tony Kalka Cecily & Henry Kannapell Ian Karra Laura Kearns Alan Kendall Michael Kensler Christopher Kingsbury Annie Godfrey & John Kittle, Jr. Stephen Kramar Susan Kreft Sandy & Walter Kruger Sandra Kruger Jacob LaFontaine LaGrange Symphony Orchestra Chantal & John A. Lanier Joyce Lanning Latin American Association Robert Lee Kathy Lynn Timothy Lytton Dena & David Young Cecilia & Bill Maher Terry Maike Gail & Howard Marshall Douglas D Mathews Barbara & Art Mathis Wendee & Ben Maxwell Jennifer McCabe Reynolds Darby McCamy Donna Melcher Judy & Taylor Merrill Judy Meyer & Gene Helfman Phyllis Miller Debbie & Jud Miller Edie & Bob Mohalley Marian Moore Morningstar Foundation, Inc.
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Scott Moss Richard Nailling & Janet Schoff Gail & John Neeld Beth & Chris Nelson Kathleen Nguyen Kristin Norton Marcia & Kevin Nuffer Kelly O'Day Weisinger Oglethorpe University Steve Oppenheimer Clare Oshaughnessey Catherine & Dudley Ottley Padriac's Dey & Pick Parks Jignesh Patel Mary Margaret Pearce Melanie & Patrick Penna Helen & Sam Perry Becca & Jon Philipsborn Jenny Phillips Karen & Joel Piassick Jean & Marc Pickard Plates, Inc. Kishia Powell Marisa & David Preston Caroline Prochnow Brannen Proctor Carol & Stephen Raeber Jennifer Ragland Paul Range Marcia Postal-Ranney & Tim Ranney Patrick Ray Cory Rayburn Laura Raymond Jo Ann & James Redding Roberta & Chip Reed III Michael Revitsky Stewart Roberts Lynn & David Rogers Ryan Rogers Mary Roy Roger Rupnow Brian Ruppert Susan Rutherford Karen & Marshall Sanders Dr. Rein & Mrs. Jane Saral Mary Sattler Brian Savoie Susan Lunn & Kurt Schurenberg Barbara & Bill Schwendler John B. Scott Martha & Conner Seabrook Julia Shiver Justin Shoemake Alan Ross Shoemaker Caroline & Hal Silcox,Jr. Floyd Simmons Jody & Carol Simms Venessa Sims Sarah Skinner Henry Slack Susan & Walton Smith Meghan G. Smithgall Judy & Tony Sousa South Fulton Sand & LLC Brenda Speir Lynn Speno Taylor Spicer William Still Angie & Jerry Stober Sue Stoudemire Shirley & Bill Strang Catherine Woodling & Evan Strange Denise & Jim Suddes Tally Sweat Camm & Judith Swift Rita Talbert The Children's School, Inc. Nathaniel Thomas Karin & Rob Thompson Liz & Andy Thompson Tom Thrasher Wolfgang Tiedtke Dr. & Mrs. Tietjen David Todd Alan Toney Vicki & Walter Tschinkel Ini Uko Stephanie Van Parys & Rob Cleveland Nikki VanDerGrinten Lynn Boyd & Harry Vann Susan Varlamoff Ganesh Venugopal Katie Vernon Melanie & Keith Vickers Cathy & John Villines Sharad & Gina Virmani
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GE Foundation Gregory Gentry Jerry Gentry Thomas Gerey Elizabeth Gerlach Renee Gerrish Donna Gessell & John Segars Jennifer Gilbert Joye Girardot James H. Glen Bruce Glick Go Fund Me Bill Goldstrohm David Govus Amy Grantham Grace Graszer Maryellen & Bill Gray Kyle Gray Russell Greatorex Ron Green Jonathan Greene William Greim Steve Griffin Lane Griffin Tamieka Grizzle GSGATL Troop 15502 Christine Gudgin Cynthia Hale James Hamersly Ken Hamil Jennifer Haney Mark Hanger Jamie Hanley Kevin Hanson Uli & Jim Hardy Blake Harmon Evans Harrell Linda Harris Rod Harrison Mary O. Harrison Bob & Dottie Hart James Harvey Tom Hayes Peter Hayes Amy Helling Blake Helms Hemophilia of Georgia Chris & Britt Henesy Karen Henman Helen & George Henry Gary Herber Cates Herrington Henry Hershey Will Hickman Charlie Hicks Jerry Hightower Brandon Hill Andrew Hill Nick Hisey Adam Hoar Kim Hodges Jenny Hoffner Jane Hollis Brian Holloway Kathy Hood Louise Horney & Steve Richard Jeff Howard Cory Huggins Hummingbird Eric Hurst Natalie Hyslop Gaby Ivie Jane Jacob George Jacob Alicia & Hal Jacobs Dale & Rob Jaeger Tom Jayroe Katrena Jeffries Ann & Joseph Jennings Cheryl & Keith Jewell Stefan Jobe Rosa & Herbert Joe Landy & David Johnson Wendy Johnson Jan & Gary Johnson Tom H. Johnson Jonathan Jordan Aishwarya Joshi John Judy Jennifer & Bill Kaduck Katie Kardian Steve Keeble Mary Keesee Leslie Kelly Susan Kenny Lisa & Mike Kiblinger Jack Killorin Sharen Kilpatrick Jessica Kirby Ben Kirkland
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER
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Geoff Persell Steve Peters S. D. Phraner Dita Pickering Charles Pickett Libba & William Pickren Cristine Pilgrim Diane & David Pitts Colin Poe Richard Polk Karen Porch Barb Price Leigh & Gavin Violante Suzanne Prince Connie Propes Matt Pruitt Pugh Family Barry Pullen Kimberly Putnam Kyung Ra Steven Radtke Seth Ralston John David Raper Austin Rasbach Scott Raulerson Misty Reid Udo Reif Doug Reineke Connor Reynolds James Rhodes Jeff Rice Bruce Rickey Benjamin Riekhof William Rivers Madison Roberts Alejandra Rodriguez Charles Rogers Steven Rogers Penn Rogers Sean Rogers Mark Romzick Daniel Rooker Mike Rothfarb Brenda & Chris Rouse Joe Rude Colleen & Jason Sabat Douglas & Dana Sackett Ziggy Salvador Kenneth Sandin Hunter Saunders John Savolt Robert Sayer & Michelle Marcus Chris & Shannon Scalley Steve Schmidt Bob Schmitt Laura A. Schneider Beth Schneider Barbara Seal & Don Schreiber Karen Schultz Kay Schulze Brian Schuster Kate Schuster Graham & Margaret Scott Leonard Seal Melanie Search & Jon Washburn Donald Seymour Dawn & Steve Shaffer Kramer Shiflett Terry Shikano James Shimkus Ward Silver Greg Simmons Hastin Simmons Branch Sinkule Dudley Sisk & Barbara Luhn Dan Skeels James Slay Robert Sloan Betty & Paul Smith Stanton Smith Chris Smith Laura & Edward Smith Patricia Smith James Smith Patty Smith Spencer Snedecor Richie Sokolowski Atul Sood Will Spears Jaselle Spencer April Springfield Alison Sprowls St. Angelo's Pizza Beth St. Jean Elizabeth St. Jean Joy & Fred Staeck Linsey Star
J Raymond Steed Joanne Steele Larry Stevens William Stevens Andy Stivers Robert Stout Tyler Strawinski Jonathan Stuckert Teri & Greg Summers John Swain Nathan Swenson Donna & James Sylvan Joyce Taaffe Janet Tackett Jon Tanner Kerry & Stephen Taylor Sandra Taylor Angie Thomas Jerome Thompson Marc Thompson Robert & Shawna Thornton Audrey Thornton Randy Thrower Celeste Tibbets Ashley Tipler Barbara Tiszai & Ronald Goetzke Christina Tobias Cindy & Marion Todd Ann Tolbert Sarah Topper Gary & Kathy Totten Travis Towns Joe Townsend William Traynham Rodney Trugman Circe Tsui Charles Turnipseed Mike Tuttle United Health Group Greg Van Volkenburg Kate Van Volkenburg Laura White Alexis & Kevin Vear Kathie & Richard Vickers Jennifer Victor Orie Wade Megan Wade William & Dana Wadzinski Jason Walburn Wayne Waldrip Allen M. Wallace Brian Walls James Warner John Watkins Jodi Waugh Robert Weeks Suzanne & Tom Welander Donna Werner Sydney West Rhonda West Janet Westervelt Richard & Annie Wheeler Becky & Mike Whitmire Brian Whitney Glenn Whittington Frank Wickstead Michelle Wildenhaus Steve Wilder Pelham Wilder Bob Wilhelm Jennifer Wilkinson Adam Willess Barnett Williams Steve Williams Matt Williams Brett Williams Joanne & Zeke Williams James Williams Jackie & Michael Williams Frank Willingham Gail C. Wilson Mark Wilson Matthew Wilson Mark Woodall Donna Woody Cheryl & Joshua Wright Daisy Wright Paula Wright Douglas Wurster Nate Young YourCause, LLC Rad Zamani & Alyssa Bowers-Zamani Carol & Ron Zaremba John Zelenka Claire Zens Tracy Zimmerman
IN HONOR OF/MEMORIALS In honor of J. Carolyn Leonard Seal In honor of Alicia Anderson Jennifer Dean In honor of Big Shaq Clay Christian
In honor of Dana Wilcock Brian Wilcock In honor of David & Alicia Williams Rachel Williams In honor of Ricky & Lynn Wolfe Charles Smith crk GIFTS IN-KIND
The Alliance Theatre Alpharetta Outfitters The Atlanta BeltLine Partnership Atlanta Botanical Garden In memory of Joseph Brisendine Atlanta Department of Lee Family Watershed Management Southern Star Tattoo The Atlanta Opera Center Dottie Thrift & Bill Combs Balloons Over Georgia Callie E. Beebe In honor of Nathan Brown Bending Branches Denise & William Flook Joe Berry Big Green Egg In honor of Dale Caldwell Canoe Restaurant Steve McKibbon Cartecay Vineyards In honor of Edward & Catching Not Fishing Melissa Cason Center for Puppetry Arts Kelly Woodham Harris Clayton The Coca-Cola Company In honor of Alice Champagne Cohutta Fishing Company Stuart Moring College Football Hall of Fame Cox Enterprises In memory of George Collins Crane Creek Vineyards Dr. Bill Rambo & Patrick DeAngelis Dr. Lydia Engelhardt Disney World Co. Ed Eiland In memory of Joyce Cotter Bert Ellis Mike Cotter Encyclomedia Estrada Art In honor of Simone DuBois & Gail Foster Denise Donahue Richard Fraim Jon DuBose Georgia Harvest Tables Google In honor of Kevin Dyer Robert Hancock Susan & Rick Money High Museum of Art Hutchinson - Traylor Insurance In honor of Rev. Carol & Mrs. Benita Epps Jekyll Island Authority Charles Smith Kai - The Medical Spa Carl Kirkpatrick In honor of Steve Gold KULA Coolers Jack Hillman Lake Lanier Canopy Tours James A. Lanier In honor of Mark Greatrex Live Nation Sean Greatrex Scott MacKenzie Paul Mayberry In honor of Jeffrey Harper The Metropolitan Club Joshua Harper Miller Union Native Eyewear In honor of Bill Hoffman Natural Body Spa Patty Dontje and Shop Vinings Orion Coolers In honor of John & Orvis Atlanta Kathleen Hraba Orvis Purcell Farms Brian Espie Patagonia Atlanta Bonny Putney In honor of Joe & Sam Ivey Regency Fine Art and Frame Debra Rodkin Resort Group Ann B. Rhodes In honor of Henry Jacobs Mike Angstadt River Through Atlanta River's End Restaurant - NOC In honor of Mechelle Khodayari Ruby Falls Tour Mike Davenport S&S Fire Pits Serenbe Development Corp. In memory of Larry T. Knight Sky Ridge Yurts George Troxler Smart Glass Jewelry Smith, Gambrell, In honor of Mark Nuhfer and Russell, LLP Lydia Nuhfer Smith Optics Smith's Old Bar In memory of Terry Patterson Sotheby's Shelia & Chris Marshall Tom Swanston SweetWater Brewing Company In memory of John W. Prince Ted's Montana Grill Suzanne Prince The King and Prince Beach and In honor of Monique Richmond Golf Resort Theatrical Outfit Lesley Bartlett Tiger Mountain Vineyards Total Wine and More In honor of Patti & Don Ross Trail Blazer Running Susan Loewenberg Harlan Trammell In honor of Laura & Unicoi Outfitters Rutherford Seydel Wildwood Outfitters Mark West Scott Wilkinson Yeti In honor of Frasier Stephenson Yonah Mountain Vineyards Robert Stephenson In honor of Marilyn Bottjer Paul Bottjer
CRK receives 100% Board and Employee Giving
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RIVERCHAT 7
HANDS ON LEARNING FOR EVERYONE In just under three years, CRK’s West Point Lake Floating Classroom (WPLFC) has reached 9,000 students and adults throughout West Georgia and East Alabama! Our success lies, in part, in the wide array of programming we offer to people of all ages, affiliations and interests. In 2015, we began the program modeled after the Lake Lanier Aquatic Learning Center and the curriculum offered by our partner the Elachee Nature Science Center. From there we have expanded the programming in response to interest and demand from the education and civic communities. Today, we offer programs from “What’s Up in the Watershed” for students K-3rd grade, to “Water Quality Index Study” aimed at AP high school classes and college students.
"It’s so refreshing and wonderful to bring the classroom outdoors and see students so excited to learn! That is what teaching is all about!”
- Leslie Knighton, Teacher Troup County Schools
Assisting our instructors with curriculum development is a regional group of educators and community leaders that
make up the WPLFC Science and Education Advisory Committee. Dawn Smith, a K-5 science curriculum specialist for the Muscogee County School System and a member of the committee says, “The floating classroom is by far the BEST field experience I have ever had with students.” The WPLFC is also engaging hundreds of CRK members and civic groups who spend a memorable two hours cruising the lake
spotting wildlife through binoculars, learning about lake history, water stewardship, listening to live music and storytelling, and more. To reserve an educational program for your school group or a guided lake tour, contact our WPLFC naturalist, Laura Breyfogle, at lbreyfogle@chattahoochee.org, and check our list of 2018 lake cruises and outings at chattahoochee.org.
GET INVOLVED WITH CRK IN 2018! Save these dates, share them with a friend and get involved with CRK in 2018. Find all the details and register for the following big events and many more at www.chattahoochee.org. Sweep the Hooch, April 7 Help us cleanup the Chattahoochee by walking, wading or paddling! CRK, Upper Chattahoochee Chapter of Trout Unlimited and the National Park Service are once again organizing a massive, oneday cleanup at more than forty sites along the river from the Headwaters to West Point Lake.
Chattahoochee Valley River Revival, May 5 The Chattahoochee Valley River Rally is a family-friendly, three-mile paddle trip from West Point Dam to West Point River Park, and community festival where all are invited to celebrate on the riverbank with live music, local food and artisan booths.
Wild & Scenic Film Festival, May 12 At the 4th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival in Gainesville, we will show a collection of inspiring films about individuals and communities locally and across the globe who are taking action to protect and preserve the planet.
Back to the Chatt, August 4 Get refreshed with our new and improved 2018 Back to the Chatt. We are combining a competitive river race, a leisurely paddle and float, and a family-friendly celebration including live music, food trucks, artisans and environmental exhibitors all into one big day on the water. This year, we’re inviting participants from SweetWater Brewing Company’s “Big Float” to join in the fun!
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CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER
'CLEAN 13' NAMED BY GEORGIA WATER COALITION
DEAR REPRESENTATIVE: I CARE ABOUT CLEAN WATER
In the world of water protection, it can be just as important to highlight the good actors as it is to call attention to the bad ones. Recognizing this, the Georgia Water Coalition (GWC) recently released the inaugural “Clean 13” report highlighting thirteen examples of businesses, industries, local governments, non-profit organizations and individuals going above and beyond to protect water resources in our state.
Under the Gold Dome, CRK works with our partners in the Georgia Water Coalition (GWC) to advocate for laws to protect every person’s right to clean and safe water. While most years that means playing defense to attacks on laws already on the books, each year we also pursue up to three proactive legislative goals. Here are our priorities for 2018.
"These may seem like small projects affecting just an isolated area, but together they add up to big improvements for our water and communities,” said Joe Cook, advocacy and communication coordinator with Coosa River Basin Initiative, a Georgia Water Coalition member organization. As a member of the Georgia Water Coalition, CRK nominated three of the report’s honorees, the City of Atlanta, Georgia Tech, and United Parcel Service of America (UPS), in recognition of work that each has done to protect water in the Chattahoochee watershed. CRK recognized the City of Atlanta for its leadership in green stormwater infrastructure, having recently adopted one of the most progressive stormwater ordinances in the country. Since 2013, Atlanta has approved more than 3,500 new green infrastructure projects including rain gardens, porous pavement, and cisterns throughout the city, significantly reducing harmful impacts to our waterways caused by urban stormwater. Georgia Tech has similarly invested in green stormwater infrastructure on its campus. During the last decade, the university has institutionalized holistic stormwater management and water use efficiency practices to reduce the demand on the Chattahoochee and the impacts of stormwater runoff in Tanyard Creek.
Trust Fund Honesty House Resolution 158 would call a referendum to amend the Georgia Constitution to authorize the dedication of revenues from fees collected when purchasing new tires. Fees help to clean up illegal tire dumps and contaminated landfills. This is the chance for Georgia voters to ensure that these fees are spent to protect the environment as intended.
"Under the present rules and laws, I can't earmark money for anything. We’ve had this fee on tires forever, to get money to help with cleaning up illegal dumps [and] recycling… If we haven't spent those dollars for what we said we would, why are we collecting them?" - Representative John Meadows, co-sponsor of House Rule 158
Coal Ash Georgia Power is currently closing existing coal ash storage ponds. This results in discharge of wastewater into our rivers and new solid waste sources that could threaten groundwater. We will pursue legislation first introduced in 2017 that ensures public notices for coal ash pond dewatering and increased monitoring and precautions for landfills storing coal ash. (see more on coal ash on page 1)
Meanwhile, UPS has helped protect the Chattahoochee tributaries near its distribution hubs like Roaring Branch by going above and beyond state industrial stormwater control requirements.
“We don’t just operate in local communities —these are our neighborhoods. And we want to live and work in healthy environments.”
- Tamara Barker, Chief Sustainability Officer, UPS
Large volumes of muddy rain water flow into a stream from a construction site in Douglas County in October 2017. Vegetative buffers are necessary to slow and filter the flow of stormwater and any pollutants in it from reaching our waterways.
Buffer Protections Following a 2015 Georgia Supreme Court decision that said the General Assembly should clarify language in the Erosion and Sedimentation Control Act used to identify and measure buffers on state waters, CRK and our partners continue to pursue a legislative fix to correct a gap in buffer protections statewide.
Clean 13 honorees will be recognized at a “Green Gala” on March 8, 2018 in Atlanta. To learn more about the event and purchase tickets, visit gawater.org/clean-13.
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The most powerful tool we have to pass these clean water protections is your voice. Please contact your state representatives to tell them that clean water is important to you. Learn more about these and other bills, and how to share this message at chattahoochee.org/our-work/legislature. RIVERCHAT 9
PLAN PROMISES IMPROVED WATER QUALITY IN LAKE LANIER At Lake Lanier, too much phosphorous is a growing concern. Phosphorus and nitrogen are a natural part of aquatic ecosystems supporting the growth of aquatic plants, which provide food and habitat for fish and smaller organisms. But when too many nutrients are available, algae blooms can result in fish kills and create toxic conditions that degrade drinking water quality. In October 2017, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) released a draft plan to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen levels from entering the lake watershed.
CRK monitors algae levels in Lake Lanier - our data, combined with data collected by EPD, shows that certain areas of the lake have excess algae.
The plan targets phosphorus reductions from six industrial and municipal wastewater facilities in Gainesville, Clarkesville, Cornelia and Baldwin. And fifty percent of the planned reductions are expected to come from sources such as urban runoff, crop production, chicken houses, cattle farms and leaking septic tanks. Smart planning and specific projects to target runoff from these areas will be essential to meet the ambitious reductions. “Protecting Lake Lanier water quality is of primary importance to Gainesville. We intend to continue working directly and
with others on this effort,” said Linda MacGregor, City of Gainesville’s Director of Water Resources. The City of Gainesville has two wastewater treatment facilities and a large urban area in the watershed. Also included in the plan is a “water pollution trading program” that would allow wastewater utilities to pay for specific projects on private land that would reduce runoff and improve water quality to lighten the restrictions on their permit. CRK opposes this part of the plan because it may create pollution “hot spots” as a result of trading over long distances within the watershed. EPD is currently reviewing public comments and a final plan is expected in early 2018.
SOUTH UTOY CREEK RESTORED TO HEALTH On the Westside of Atlanta one can find Cascade Springs Nature Preserve; this 120-acre property is steeped in history. Native Americans traveled along the property on what is now Cascade Road, then known as “Sandtown Road,” which connected the Stone Mountain area of Georgia to the Western Alabama border. The property also contains remains of Confederate trenches and rifle pits from the Civil War’s Battle of Utoy Creek. And within the preserve are small springs once known to have healing effects that feed South Utoy Creek. Sadly, in the fall of 2017, the creek was anything but healing. Through Neighborhood Water Watch (NWW), our weekly water monitoring program, in October 2017 we detected bacteria levels 1,000 times the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s standard for safe recreation in the creek. Using our laboratory test results to study the contamination area, our pollution tracking team conducted a series of inspections, ultimately narrowing the source to a cracked lateral
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Repairs totaling $138,125 prompted by NWW actions have restored water quality in South Utoy Creek.
sewer line upstream of the preserve. Once found, we called the City of Atlanta to deploy their response crews to stop the spill; they quickly set up bypass pumps. Soon after the spill was stopped, the City went further to replace a 50-foot-long, 32-inch-wide municipal sewer line and stabilize the surrounding streambank. With the news of the creek waters returning to baseline conditions, Darryl Haddock, Education Director at West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, said, “Over the years we have seen marked
improvement in water quality and habitat conditions.” Now in its eighth year, NWW program experience has taught us that water quality in rivers and creeks is always changing because conditions around them are always changing. So we must continually monitor water quality in order to protect public health. To learn more about NWW and how you can become a volunteer, visit: chattahoochee.org/our-work/watermonitoring/neighborhood-water-watch/
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVERKEEPER
CRK SUES TO GET DIRT OUT OF NATIONAL RIVER PARK Toxic chemicals are not the only pollution threat to the Chattahoochee River. Dirt from construction sites can also cause serious harm to the river. Riverkeeper Jason Ulseth says, “sediment is the largest single source of pollution and threat to water quality in Georgia.” When vegetation like shrubs and trees with larger root systems are removed during construction, it leaves dirt and sediment exposed to stormwater runoff. During rain events, this sediment laden water flows into creeks, depleting oxygen and destroying habitat of critters and fish. So when CRK staff found a 50+ acre property along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard in Buford, Georgia, stripped of vegetation without proper controls in summer 2016, we quickly launched an investigation. Through a series of phone calls, records requests, and field inspections, we learned that the construction site was dumping thick, muddy stormwater into Richland Creek, a tributary that flows into the pristine trout waters of the National Park Services’ Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. This stretch of the Chattahoochee has been named one of the Top 100 trout streams in the country by Trout Unlimited.
Throughout the summer and fall, CRK staff braved heavy rainstorms to collect samples of muddy stormwater. One sample revealed sediment levels at more than 200 times the concentration permitted under Georgia’s clean water laws. Chris Scalley, owner of the Chattahoochee River fishing guide service River Through Atlanta, sees the way polluted stormwater hurts the river and his ability to earn a living and keep his guides and clients on the river. “Trout nest along the bottom of the river, and those nests are hugely affected by sediment that can suffocate the eggs,” he says.
For more than four years, workers slowly cleared trees and hauled dirt away from the hilly site to make it flat enough to host a planned large-scale warehouse operation in the future. In the process, the owners never installed proper controls to contain all that muddy Georgia clay now exposed to rainwater. Plans submitted by the owner and approved by the City of Buford clearly required installation of best management practices—including four detention ponds—that would keep polluted stormwater out of the creek, though they were never installed.
“We see so many impacts from sediment: the turbid water affects the food web on which the fish feed and it also affects our visibility so that we lose recreational hours and can’t take our clients out fishing on the river.” - Chris Scalley, Owner, River Through Atlanta
Because of the site owners’ failures to properly manage the site and the City’s refusal to require compliance with environmental laws, CRK was compelled to step in and ensure the river was protected. In September, CRK filed a Clean Water Act lawsuit to force the owners’ to bring the property into compliance with its permit and the applicable laws. Stronger oversight from the City of Buford could have helped avoid this severe, ongoing pollution of our river. The fact remains that the property is in violation of state and federal water protection laws. Whether it is through the courts or a settlement, our focus will remain on ensuring the long-term health of the Chattahoochee.
Aerial view of 50+ acre property along Peachtree Industrial Boulevard.
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RIVERCHAT 11
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INAUGURAL PATRON DINNER AND CLIMATE CONFERENCE TURNED OUT RECORD ATTENDANCE For the first time in the organization’s history we hosted a combined climate conference and patron dinner. In September 2017, the conference was hosted by the Ray C. Anderson Center for Sustainable Business at the Georgia Tech Global Learning Center, where Dr. Marshall Shepherd (pictured below), Georgia Athletic Association Distinguished Professor and Director, UGA Atmospheric Sciences Program, and Paul Hawken, Executive Director of Project Drawdown, were keynote speakers. More than 40 local and national experts also presented on the effects of changing climate conditions to human, infrastructure and ecological interests in the Chattahoochee watershed.
River Guardian Honoree, John Pruitt (center), accepts award.
Special Thanks to Our Top Sponsors CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE AND PATRON DINNER: Cox Conserves, Ray C. Anderson Foundation (Presenting Sponsors) PATRON DINNER: Colonial Pipeline (Presenting Sponsor); encyclomedia, Patti and Don Ross, UPS (River Benefactor); The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation (River Sustainer); The Atlanta Journal Constitution, AVEDA, The City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management, The Coca-Cola Company, Jennifer and Graham Dorian, Georgia Aquarium, Google, The Home Depot, Judy and Walter Hoyt, Hutchinson Traylor, Mary Jane and Dave Kirkpatrick, Mayberry Electric Inc, The Sally and Peter Parsonson Foundation, The Shearon and Taylor Glover Foundation, Laura and Rutherford Seydel, Southwire, Stephanie Stucky, SweetWater Brewing Company, Turner Enterprises Inc. (River Defender) CLIMATE CHANGE CONFERENCE: JST Foundation (River Sustainer); Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, The Atlanta Journal Constitution (River Defender)
Keynote speaker Dr. Marshall Shepherd
Later in the evening, emcee Justin Farmer (WSB-TV) launched the 23rd Annual Patron Dinner program, where John Pruitt was honored with the River Guardian Award and Stephanie Stuckey with the River Steward Award. An evening highlight was a visit by students from the YMCA Youth Enrichment Program to speak about their experiences on CRK’s floating classrooms. Thanks to the support of our guests, sponsors and auction donors, we raised $270,000 to support our river protection programs!
A special thank you to Radiance Solar, LLC and the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for their generous sponsorship of the Southern Sailing Club’s 2017 Love the Lake Open Regatta.