RiverWay South Action Plan | 2007

Riverway South | 2007 Action Plan DEVELOPED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

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Riverway South | 2007 Action Plan

Produced by: The Fanning Institute University of Georgia 1240 S. Lumpkin St. Athens, GA 30602-3552 Telephone (706) 583-0856 Fax (706) 542-7007

INSTRUCTORS: Leigh Askew Danny Bivins Jennifer Martin Lewis Alfie Vick

TEAM MEMBERS: Thomas Barger

Tiffany McGowan

Lydia Doyle

Brian Ray

Duncan Elkins

Mike Sutton

Hayes Fairchild

Production Consultant: Eleonora Machado

CONTENTS SECTION 1 : EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

SECTION 2 : PROCESS

SECTION 3: HISTORY

SECTION 4 : GOALS

SECTION 5: THE PLAN

SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION

SECTION 7: INITIAL STEPS

APPENDICES

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This action plan is intended to identify ways to help RiverWay South (RWS) preserve, protect, and promote the unique heritage of their region while infusing new economic life into the communities.

This plan is conceptual and presents ideas and directions for RWS to consider, adopt, or modify as seen fit.

The Lower Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint (LACF) region has a rich natural and human history, a unique character, and much to offer to the rest of the region and nation. Within this plan, we have identified ways for RWS to inventory, conserve, enhance, and publicize these resources.

One initial action item that Project Riverway is recommending is the development of a comprehensive inventory of the resources within the LACF region. These resources may include natural areas, such as parks, historical places, such as covered bridges and courthouses, or cultural resources, such as the histories and people. It is difficult to move forward in promoting and building tourism in a region without an inventory of what exists.

RWS is in a position to help give a more comprehensive view of the region and encourage individual communities to work together to meet common goals. It is important for RWS to promote the conservation of resources within the LACF region. The unintentional preservation due to limited development is one of the areas greatest resources, and it is important that that character not be lost with the desired economic development.

Conservation of resources and economic development are not mutually exclusive. It will, however, require that communities make thoughtful

decisions and wise choices in planning for their future.

SECTION 1 : EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

None of the above items can fully succeed without publicity of the region, and RWS should work with media outlets to make the public both in the LACF and outside of it aware of the resources therein. This publicity should take many forms to meet the needs of the diverse region and resources, including electronic media. The internet can be an affordable way to reach wide audiences, and most material can be easily formatted for electronic publication.

It is critical for RWS to empower the people within the region to take action on their own behalf.

The residents have the most to gain or lose and are the greatest resource the region has to offer.

This empowerment should take numerous forms, including promotion of regional communication, development of community leaders, and enabling volunteer opportunities.

While some of the action items included in this plan may prove to be challenging, others are tasks that can be quickly accomplished with minimal effort. With broad outreach across the LACF region to engage community leaders, meeting the goals of RWS can be done. Project Riverway hopes that these recommendations and action items will move the region many steps closer.

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The special cultural, historic and natural character of the Lower Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint region (LACF) makes it a distinctive place that deserves to be protected and promoted while it grows in a way that respects its special characteristics.

The LACF represents a time and way of life that is rapidly disappearing from modern society. So often people lament the onslaught of big box stores, but this is a place where you can drive for days without ever coming across one. Despite the tranquil and nostalgic nature of a place such as the LACF, the region suffers from extreme poverty and a lack of economic growth. However, the natural beauty and historic significance of the region make it attractive for both economic developmentChattahoochee and tourism.

Passport

RiverWay South (RWS) is a non-profit organization that A guide to tourist works toinunite local governattractions the Lower Apalachicola, ments andFlint, stateandagencies in Chattahoochee Riverto ultimately the LACF, and watersheds meet the larger goal reconnecting communities to their river resources. RWS seeks to preserve, protect and promote the unique heritage of the LACF region while infusing new economic life into its communities.

Project Riverway is a course offered at the University of Georgia (UGA) that stretches across three consecutive summer terms. Students and faculty work together to generate ideas and create plans to improve life along the river in a way that is respectful and sustainable.

Each summer, students take a guided tour led by local historians to visit places of significance and engage residents of the area. After returning to UGA, Project Riverway students and faculty work as a team to create plans, tours, and other products and projects that will help RWS achieve its goals.

SECTION 2 : PROCESS

2. PROCESS

The class is led by faculty of the Fanning Institute, a Public Service and Outreach unit of UGA, with assistance from faculty in the College of Environmental Design and the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication. Students come from diverse backgrounds: landscape architecture, historic preservation, journalism, marketing, forest resources and law, and together they utilize their diverse expertise to create a well rounded plan that accounts for myriad areas of study and interest.

This plan, created in collaboration with RWS, is an initial attempt to address the problems facing the region while maintaining a respect for its history, culture and natural environment. Project Riverway has created a working document that can guide regional leaders in their efforts to improve the quality of life for the people who live in the LACF region. This project is unique with regional representation from 64 counties across three states. In order to be successful, many local governments and state agencies will need to work together to create a future that improves the lives of everyone in the region.

While many places around the country have created long term plans to promote their communities and protect their resources, it is rare to find one that encompasses so many jurisdictions working together to achieve common goals. Creating a plan which gives guidance and unifies these different groups is a challenge given the wide range of people affected. It is therefore important to see this as a living document that should be revisited and discussed so that all players accept, actively support and work together to achieve the goals set forth by RiverWay South.

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The Chattahoochee River stretches from the foothills of North Georgia, through Atlanta to Columbus where it forms the border with Alabama, all the way to the Florida border where it joins with the Flint River as it enters Lake Seminole and becomes the Apalachicola River, flowing into the Gulf of Mexico.

On its long journey it provides water for millions of people, supports agriculture and industry and is a valuable source of recreation. Chattahoochee is the Creek Indian word for “river of painted rocks” and each section of the river is rich in history and natural resources. The LACF is habitat for many species of fish including a variety of bass that attract fishermen from across the country. It is also home to predators such as alligators and osprey and is part of the migratory path of bald eagles.

The LACF has a rich sometimes difficult history that includes extensive Native American civilization, Spanish settlement, slavery, steam boats, the Civil War and the Civil Rights movement. The area was originally settled by Native Americans most of whom were removed by President Andrew Jackson via the infamous Trail of Tears. The early Native American people built mound complexes as part of their towns, and some of these sites remain visible along the Chattahoochee River as evidence of this ancient culture. Other mounds are now buried under the waters of Lakes Eufaula and Seminole as a result of damming of the river.

Spanish explorers came to the LACF early in colonial history and evidence of their settlements still exists in the Chattahoochee’s watershed. DeSoto crossed the Chattahoochee in his march north from Florida and had a brief encounter with Native Americans near the Kolomoki mounds. The Spanish trails and trading routes are still present in the region and remain an important part of the region’s past.

The LACF was involved in the Civil War and these places and stories can still be seen and heard

SECTION 3: HISTORY

3. HISTORY

as visitors travel through the region. Confederate troops moved along the river as they marched through Georgia and Alabama, and the Chattahoochee was patrolled by ironclads such as the C.S.S. Chattahoochee. Remnants of this military legacy can be viewed in Columbus at the National Civil War Naval Museum.

Agriculture has long been one of the driving economic and social factors in the LACF. This began with cotton in early American history and, while it remains a prominent crop, farming now includes beans, corn, pine trees, tomatoes and other produce. This strong agricultural history has done much to shape the people, culture and landscape of the LACF. The farming industry in the region brought one of its best known legacies: steamboats. For years, these boats transported crops and people up and down the river.

Race played an important role in the region, as slavery was a component of the early agricultural history. Later, often ugly events of the Civil Rights movement occurred in the region, and sites and stories from these periods are important elements in the lives and history of this place.

Currently, the LACF is one of the most beautiful, historically rich and undiscovered parts of Georgia, Alabama and Florida. Its unique natural environment has helped shaped it, and the culture and eco-systems of the LACF have remained intact because the region is relatively undeveloped.

However, this lack of attention also means that the area is economically depressed. Some counties in the region report poverty rates as high as 31%.

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Through its partnership with RWS, Project Riverway hopes to unite the LACF communities and promote leadership in the region while respecting its culture, history and environment. The overall goals of Project Riverway are: to develop and promote a strategy to increase economic opportunities and community development for the entire region; to serve as a guide for new product initiatives; and to market ecologically sensitive and sustainable tourism throughout the region. It will take strong regional leaders to achieve these goals.

SECTION 4: GOALS

4. GOALS

Project Riverway has identified five categories of interest:

1. Natural Resources Goal 2. Cultural Resources Goal 3. Economic and Community Development Goal 4. Education and Interpretation Goal 5. Recreation Goal

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1. Natural Resources Goal To protect and preserve the sensitive environments by: o Protecting both riparian and silviculture forests which prevent erosion, act as a buffer for the river and are valuable habitat to local species; o Preserving additional habitats for the unique species found in the river corridor; and o Maintaining the rivers, lakes, wetlands and floodplains throughout the river corridor.

The natural environment of the LACF is the area’s greatest resource. Inappropriate development could greatly impact these unique ecosystems. The protection and preservation of the river corridor’s sensitive areas should be a top priority regarding the future development of this section of the river.

2. Cultural Resources Goal To identify, preserve and promote cultural and historic resources by: o Sustaining existing resources; o Maintaining ownership of resources; o Working with the communities so that their thoughts and opinions will be considered first and foremost; and o Preserving and promoting renewal of intact downtowns, rural historic structures and architectural remnants that reflect the agrarian history.

To better serve the communities of RWS, there are several options for the future that can be taken to make these a reality. Among the options are: maintenance of existing resources; development of a Regional Leadership Academy; forums to receive public input; ensuring that the goals of the action plan and the goals of communities coincide; and the creation of downloadable tours.

3. Economic and Community Development Goal To bring development through such means as: o Raising awareness of existing regional attractions and destinations through improved signage, integrated advertising (print, internet, etc.), and publication of detailed maps and brochures; o Promoting and supporting downtown business districts and other locally-owned businesses within the region; o Enabling knowledge sharing between towns in the corridor; oPromoting local leadership; o Balancing new residential development with commercial and agricultural development and encourage qualitygrowth; o Supporting the development of workforce housing; and o Ensuring that new development meets the needs of all populations within the region, including those of all age groups, economic levels, cultural backgrounds, and tenure within the region.

To achieve this goal, Project Riverway will: improve the website of RWS to make information about the region more available to tourists; create audio tours of the area so visitors will be more aware of the significance of what they see; and create a blueprint for Leadership Chattahoochee to promote leadership on a local level throughout the region.

4. Education and Interpretation Goal SECTION 4: GOALS

To make the rich local history accessible to residents and visitors alike by: o Improving accessibility to information and resources at Kolomoki Mounds; o Identifying and mapping historic trails and migratory patterns; o Expanding the website to include more information about both the history of the region, local events and resources available; o Creating audio tours; o Proposing actions, such as music festivals, to celebrate the musical traditions of the region; and o Increasing opportunities for outdoor enthusiasts that include informational signs along bike or hiking trails.

Use of these types of media and information will help to improve the availability of information on the LACF. The more visitors and residents can be made aware of the history of the region, the more interested they will become and the more likely it is that they will return or become involved in the community.

5. Recreation Goal To increase recreational opportunities by: o Identifying existing and potential public river access points; o Creating a Chattahoochee Greenway, including linkages between hiking trails and natural areas; o Constructing amenities, such as fish cleaning stations, campgrounds and grocery stores; o Promoting increased use of hunting and fishing camps; o Establishing music festivals; o Creating bike, horse, hiking and ATV trails; and o Recognizing the reservoirs as dynamic managed systems, including public education on the ongoing biological and hydrologic processes at work in these systems.

Increased recreational opportunities will make the LACF more accessible to visitors and residents alike. Protection of greenspace is an important aspect of this goal and should be remembered as development and tourism increases in the region. These goals will probably prove to be the easiest to implement and the fastest way to begin to enact change in the region.

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Ultimately, the purpose of this plan is to help RWS accomplish its goals. The concepts outlined will provide guidance to link together the communities and resources within the LACF watershed and promote community development and tourism.

Each course of action suggested is designed to promote sustainable development through respect, preservation and understanding of the existing built and natural environments.

SECTION 5: THE PLAN

5. THE PLAN

The items within the plan are intended to identify ways that RWS can accomplish both their long range goals, as well as the more detailed goals discussed in the previous section.

We broadly categorize these items according to whether they relate to resources, promotion or people.

RESOURCES The existing resources are the heart and soul of the LACF and are fundamental for everything else that will be done. These resources are diverse and include both natural and cultural elements, plus activities that are taking place. Rivers and lakes are just part of what makes up the natural environment; it also includes the extensive forested and agricultural landscapes. The cultural elements include historic structures and locations as well as people and small businesses. This could mean artisans, small scale local farmers or craftsmen.

The activities may include events such as music festivals, fishing tournaments, local markets, and craft exhibitions. It is critical to create connections between the resources in the region so that visitors interested in one subject are aware of the connections between all relevant locations. These connections will create further opportunities for exploration, enhance the experience and thus the economy of the region.

Example of an existing resource map from the LACF region; map provided by www.hcc-al-ga.org page 15

INVENTORY

To effectively preserve and promote all that the LACF has to offer, it is crucial to identify existing resources. These include such things as parks, historic buildings and places, restaurants, local contacts, resorts, river access points, and annual festivals. A database of existing resources within the LACF should be compiled so that residents and visitors can easily locate any relevant information. The Historic Chattahoochee Commission has done an excellent job documenting historic resources within their coverage area. RWS should work with them and expand that inventory to cover the entire LACF. This inventory of resources will also help towns plan for future development by evaluating the impact that growth will have on existing resources.

CONSERVATION

Once these resources have been fully identified, plans should be put in place to protect and utilize these resources. To this end, RWS should encourage towns to protect their vulnerable historic and cultural resources. The natural areas and historic character are unique characteristics of the area and a significant attraction for visitors. The preservation of the river corridor’s ecologically sensitive areas is a top priority in the Osprey on the Flint River future development of the river.

As development of the LACF increases, measures need to be taken to protect its natural beauty. Communities should identify prime habitats that house species unique to the LACF and protect such lands from future development. With a more diverse population visiting and relocating to the LACF, these protected sites can serve as eco-tourism destinations and provide revenue and jobs.

While new construction and landscaping will bring benefits to the LACF, development also brings the threat of erosion problems. In order to combat erosion that could affect the river and the wildlife within it, silt fences and environmentally friendly sprays should be used to stabilize the soil on all construction sites. It will be important for local governments to strictly enforce existing erosion and sedimentation control laws, and add

additional ordinances if necessary for increased protection of the waterways. Encouraging or requiring developments that minimize grading and leave as many trees in place as possible will help protect the natural landscape. Myriad techniques that reduce erosion on agricultural lands are currently practiced and include: no-till farming, contour plowing, terracing, and planting of cover crops and riparian strips. Local Farm Bureaus and Extension Agents are available to work with those in the agricultural community to minimize impacts on streams and rivers. Existing properties can gradually implement many of these erosion control options over time, but new developments should be required to utilize as many control methods as possible. RWS should encourage local and county governments to promote water quality through the adoption of protective ordinances.

There are many tools available to communities to help them meet their land conservation goals, including: future land use plans, zoning ordinances, design guidelines, conservation easements, and tree preservation. More importantly, numerous organizations such as the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Georgia’s Regional Development Centers (RDC), the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA), Alabama’s Regional Councils, Florida’s Regional Planning Councils and the Historic Chattahoochee Commission exist and can offer expertise and assistance. These non-regulatory means may also include historical societies, bird watching clubs, arbor societies, master gardeners and garden clubs. These programs and groups can help to educate the general population about the importance of conserving resources. Additionally, non-regulatory programs and groups are generally less controversial than land use regulations. Legal land use regulations should be enacted sparingly until the particular community is ready for that type of action.

CONNECTION

RWS should promote regional preservation through local actions such as designating scenic corridors and administrative actions such as applying to be a National Heritage district. These corridors would link together like resources along the watershed to make them increasingly accessible to both locals and tourists. The more resources are linked together, the easier it will be to attract visitors who have specific interests. Linking re-

ACCESSIBILITY

Picnic Area at Lake Seminole State Park

In addition to identifying and preserving these important and unique places and ecosystems, RWS should work to make these resources more accessible. River access should be increased and restroom and picnic facilities should be added at put-in locations and parks. These access points should be well marked, both on the river as well as on maps that would be made available at marinas, bait shops, visitor centers and online.

DEVELOPMENT

New residential, commercial, and agricultural development should be balanced and managed so that it does not impact the quality of the existing resources. New development should meet the needs of all age groups, economic levels, and cultural backgrounds. Workforce housing should be developed so that all residents, both permanent and seasonal, have the opportunity to live in a safe manner.

WEBSITE

Publicity for the region can also be improved by enhancing the existing website to include stories from the region, history, information about sites and events, and themed tours. The internet is one of the easiest and most cost effective ways to convey large amounts of information to anybody with internet access, especially people outside of the region. By continually improving and updating the website, RWS can make people around the world aware of the unique offerings of the LACF. The website can also serve as a resource for local communities to share information about what’s going on and promote their activities, hotels, businesses, and restaurants.

SECTION 5: THE PLAN

sources can also: assist in the preservation and stewardship of seemingly isolated resources; and aid in education and interpretation of the region by recognizing historic and contemporary relationships between similar resources.

SIGNAGE

Signs should be improved both on the public roads and in parks to give visitors snapshots of information and let them know just how important this area is. Directional signs should help guide people through the region and through individual parks. Informational signs should provide stories and snapshots that generate interest in what the region has to offer and encourage visitors to find out more or come again. A long-term project should be to replace existing signs that have been damaged or defaced. This should include removing graffiti from important sites such as the Cohelee Creek covered bridge. Existing sites

PROMOTION

The LACF basin derives much of the unique character from its history, stories, music, natural beauty, culture and folklore. These things should be documented and made readily available because they are a large part of what makes the LACF so extraordinary. RWS should work towards creating a central clearinghouse of information about the region so that visitors can find out about current and future activities. It will also provide an easy means for the history and lore to be shared with future generations. Due to the dispersed nature of the region and potential visitors, the primary repository of all information should be online, and all material should be made available electronically whenever possible.

Example of signage marking a historic trail

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should have improved signage to inform visitors of the resources available at the site as well as the importance of the site. All signs should be designed so that they are attractive and consistent throughout the region. Signs should not detract from the natural beauty of the region or create visual clutter along roadways.

area as well as lists of local people with plentiful knowledge of the region who should be interviewed and recorded. Another step is to begin to collect copies of these books and articles and conduct interviews with these special people who

AUDIO TOURS

Audio tours will help guide visitors as they drive and can provide detailed historic information and specific stories about the region. These tours will give visitors an engaging way to learn about the LACF as they drive from place to place or walk its trails. Audio tours will act as a link between communities and encourage people to travel from one place to another.

LITERATURE

Individual sites should create brochures that effectively convey information about that place in a way that is aesthetically pleasing. These brochures Gerald Long shares stories about his farm, Long Farm in Bainbridge, Georgia, with students have so much valuable information. Finally, this information should be put into a library, and used to develop tours and signage so that everybody can know the things that make the LACF so unique.

PEOPLE

Billy Winn, LACF Historian should also help guide them around the area upon arrival. One step towards this goal is to create a bibliography of books and articles relevant to the

With so many important natural and historic resources at their fingertips, residents of the LACF should be empowered to take control and ownership of the future of the region. This move towards local leadership has already begun with RWS. As people recognize the importance of what they have, the easier it will be to encourage sustainable growth. Local leadership should be promoted through efforts like Leadership Chattahoochee so that residents are acting rather than being acted upon. Much of the region is diverse and every effort should be taken to ensure that local leadership is developed to reflect that diversity.

RWS should ensure that area residents have a voice in determining what happens in the region.

SECTION 5: THE PLAN

REGIONAL COMMUNICATION

Communication within the region should be encouraged and enhanced. Connections should be made between these places and people so that discussions about a place become relevant; the more personal these ideas become, the more likely it is that people will step up and become active in their community. These relationships can be developed through the use of regional workshops, meetings, retreats, cook outs or other social events. Regional events may also be focused on specific user groups, such as historians. In this case, an annual history conference could be organized to facilitate discussion as well as aid in the identification, conservation, and promotion of historic resources.

Communication networks should be developed in multiple formats, including the website, email listservs or newsletters to keep LACF residents aware of other people and events in the region.

REGIONAL LEADERSHIP

RWS should assist in creating a Leadership Chattahoochee group to cultivate local leaders.

Due to the large, multi-state scope of RWS, efforts should be focused on smaller subsets of the larger whole. This could be accomplished through creating subsets for less populated counties or areas around major cities. These leaders would be responsible for promoting sustainable and quality development in their community. They would also be charged with recruiting help from other local residents to meet the specific goals of their area. This program should include regular meetings between leaders to discuss what is and what is not working in each community and to share ideas and resources.

VOLUNTEERS

RWS should create volunteer opportunities to assist with their goals and projects. These volunteers may include college or qualified high school students, retirees, or other interested community members. Specific tasks could include creating and verifying resource inventories and local histories or updating and maintaining the website.

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Project Riverway has identified a number of concepts to help RWS achieve its goals and further developed a few of them as examples. These may be implemented as presented or modified, but the hope is that they increase local participation in promoting and protecting the LACF and provide a spark for the efforts of future regional participants. In order for RWS to succeed in meeting its goals, it needs to produce tangible products on an ongoing basis.

RESOURCES

Database - A database should be developed to identify the existing resources. This database should be in a format so that it can be edited or modified by multiple agents and available through the website. One possibility is that it is developed in an open user format so that people throughout the region can freely contribute and edit the information. Open user formats include ‘wikis’ as illustrated by websites such as www.wikipedia. org. Types of resources to be identified may include the following: • State and local parks; • Natural areas; • Existing trails; • Waterways; • Historic properties; • Chambers of Commerce; • Visitor centers; • Public restroom facilities; • Restaurants; • RV hookup locations; • Campsites; • Hotels/Motels; • River access points; • Marinas; and • Bait shops.

Conservation Tools - The preservation of the river corridor’s ecologically sensitive areas is a top priority regarding the future development of this section of the river. As development of the LACF rises, measures need to be taken to protect its nat-

SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION

6. IMPLEMENTATION

ural beauty. Cities should work with state agencies, such as the Natural Heritage Program of the Georgia DNR, and non-profit conservation agencies to identify prime habitats that house species unique to the LACF and protect such areas from inappropriate development. With a more diverse population visiting and relocating to the LACF, these protected sites can serve as eco-tourism destinations and provide revenue and jobs. However, it should be explicitly acknowledged that the rivers that define the LACF have been extensively altered by human activities and ongoing manage-

Wingate’s Lodge’s cabins are an ideal spot to vacation. The Lodge is on the Flint River and has essential resources including a marina, restaurant, and RV hookups page 21

ment will be required to maintain these resources.

These activities, such as dam operation, control of exotic species, and controlled burning for timber management should be guided by the best available science to maintain or improve the health of the natural systems and balance the needs of all groups of recreational users.

Water Quality - Currently, all or parts of myriad streams and river segments in the LACF do not meet designated uses. Communities should work with the state Environmental Protection Division to develop plans to improve water quality. The designated use of most streams and river segments in the region is fishing, and improvements are important to protect the health of those that depend on fishing for sustenance. New development could bring erosion and additional water quality problems to the LACF, and it is important to have the tools in place to address problems before they happen. While streams and rivers have a remarkable capacity for rejuvenation, it is always better to prevent water quality problems rather than having to work to fix them.

Land Preservation - RWS should support and promote means for preservation of sensitive lands within the region. Specific methods may include creation of a regional land trust and encouragement of local governments to require expanded buffers along streams and rivers.

Reservoir Management Actions - RWS should establish itself as a stakeholder group and develop relationships with the agencies responsible for the management of Lake Seminole and Lake Eufaula, primarily the Army Corps of Engineers and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

RWS should advocate for consideration of downstream ecological effects in determining the releases from the Walter F. George and Jim Woodruff dams.

Within the reservoirs, RWS should continue to support aquatic weed control Walter F. George Dam efforts to the extent

that they improve navigation and recreational opportunities while minimally affecting sport fisheries. Further, RWS should use its position to educate local and visiting users about the tradeoffs inherent in the uses of managed rivers and the necessity of management actions.

Regional Heritage Roadways - Historic roadways within the LACF region should be identified and marked so that the unique history of the area is made evident to people traveling on them, as well as to provide opportunity for tourists to seek them out. Once identified, the roads should be marked with a consistent hierarchy of signs.

If possible, the identified roadways should be included in the Scenic Byways Program. Georgia, Florida, and Alabama all participate in the National Scenic Byways Program, and have State Scenic Byways. While the details may be different, the intent is similar.

For example, the Georgia DOT states that: A Georgia Scenic Byway is defined as any designated highway, street, road, or route, which features certain intrinsic qualities that should be protected or enhanced.

To obtain designation, a local sponsor must complete a multi-stage process of identifying a route, submitting an application, developing a Corridor Management Plan, and receiving approval by the Georgia Department of Transportation. The application defines the route, acknowledges local support of the byway, and assesses the intrinsic qualities and potential issues of the route. The Corridor Management Plan (CMP) documents the vision for the byway and what steps will be taken to achieve the goals of promotion, preservation, and development. More information can be found through the Georgia, Alabama or Florida websites: www.dot.state.ga.us, www.alabamabyways.org, and www.dot.state.fl.us .

National Heritage District - Designation as a National Heritage District will serve to bring more attention to the LACF. Becoming a heritage district will lend more credence to the importance of the region thereby making it easier to obtain public and private funding for projects as well as legal protection.

Recreation Trails - Recreation trails appeal to both the adventurous visitors and the weekend warrior. LACF hiking trails range in difficulty from easy to advanced. Aside from hiking, birding, plant identification, geo-caching and photog-

The largest mound at Kolomoki Indian Mounds State Park visitors and residents, alike. Local groups should be encouraged to explore the surrounding forest and develop new trails. When creating trails, design specifications for the trails intended uses should be determined. Trail pattern and approximate length, maximum grade and curve radius, and minimum overhead clearance and width standards are all items that need to be addressed.

Identifying potential trail-use hazards or construction problems, including lakes and streams, motorized roadway intersections, and soils that are erodible or poorly drained are important steps to be taken. For most trails, the ideal surface is natural soil that is free of stones, stumps, and protruding roots. Natural trails often become easily distinguishable and comfortable to walk on after just weeks of regular traffic. Always avoid unnecessary disruptions of the ground surface. RWS should also look to develop new trails to better link existing ones together. Providing more options in number and variety of trails will increase foot traffic in the area.

Music Tours/Festival - Music has been a staple in these communities for centuries. Music is one thing that seems to continue to bring people together in celebration of life. The LACF region already has several music festivals in place that draw thousands of people each year to the region.

It would be a quite simple task to find additional locations suitable to and tolerant of this type of activity. It will bring people from the commu-

nities together as well as promoting the entire LACF region to a broader audience.

Kolomoki Indian Mounds - Due to its size and place in history, the Kolomoki Indian Mound site is one of the most remarkable Native American sites in the United States. This complex deserves to be showed cased as an important legacy of Native Americans. To do this, it is necessary to improve the written materials associated with the site, update the facilities and make landscaping changes to make the site more accessible and informative. A Native American garden would also help to give visitors more things to do and provide another teaching opportunity for people to learn about life at Kolomoki.

SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION

raphy are popular activities on trails. Managing the trails and keeping them safe and clean will provide increased recreational opportunities for

Additional Boat Launch Sites - Increased access to the river should be a primary goal of RWS. The easier it is for people to get on the river the more likely it is that the river will be used and enjoyed. This type of project is relatively easy to accomplish and could provide RWS with a tangible result to point to at the end of the year.

Facility Enhancement - Creating more restroom, picnic, and boat ramp facilities is another way in which RWS can increase access to the river. Increasing these types of facilities will serve both boaters looking for a place to get on the river or off the river to eat or use the restroom. Nonboaters seeking a beautiful spot to eat and spend time with family and friends would also benefit.

These spaces will make visiting the river more convenient and enjoyable.

PROMOTION

Promotion is an imperative portion of Project Riverway that will help to inform others about the programs and products developed, as well as to advance the existing resources in the LACF region.

Appropriate, affordable marketing techniques that distribute information to a large amount of people in a cohesive and coherent manner should assist visitors in learning more about the area. Information should be easily accessible, straightforward and visually pleasing.

Website - A well maintained website is an efficient and cost effective way of sharing information and promoting the region. The website should be expanded to include lists of restaurants, places to

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Hardcopy - Printed materials are the primary resource for specific sites and should be distributed throughout the region so that visitors understand what the entire region has to offer. This printed material can include things such as brochures, postcards, posters, and more.

Henry Co. • Hardridge Creek Public Use Area • Abbie Creek Public Use Area • Highland Park Public Use Area • Thomas Mill Creek Park Houston Co. (Dothan) • Chattahoochee State Park • Omusee Creek Public Use Area

The Alabama Park Information is an example of a list of resources in the LACF region listed by county.

Audio Tours - Downloadable audio tours will provide people with another way to experience the region. In this way, information will become more accessible and engaging. Listeners will enjoy information and history previously known only to a few. Multimedia tours can be developed to be viewed online and provide people with images of the region while telling the history and stories from the LACF. Signage - Improving signage both on roadways and within individual sites will make the LACF more accessible. Signs should be either informative or directive. Informative signs should pique the reader’s curiosity while directive signs should

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Barbour Co. • Barbour Co. State Wildlife Management Area • White Oak Creek Recrestion Area

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Russell Co. • Glenville Historic District • Hatchechubbee Creek Park • Briar Creek Park • Bluff Creek Access Area

Federal Trail

Lee Co. • Spring Villa Camping and Recreation Area • Tsinia Wildlife Viewing Area

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Alabama Park Information

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stay and include events and amenities within the region. It should be linked to the inventory of resources and should include a discussion forum so that people can easily communicate with each other about what is going on in their particular community.

see full brochures on pages 28 & 29

Brochures - The brochure template created by Project Riverway will give communities a starting point in the realm of marketing. Communities should utilize the template to promote local attractions, as well as their county or city as a whole. The brochure’s cover appears to be a postcard and when flipped over unfolds into four flaps that provide basic information about the destination that a visitor would need. The Kolomoki brochure provides a model for a site specific brochure displaying rates and amenities, whereas the Bainbridge brochure highlights the

WWW.RiverWaySouth.ORG

scription, contact information, and photographs of a specific site. The primary audience would be children and the idea is that they would visit all locations to collect each stamp. The booklet should be of such quality to be a collectable item. While the primary locations would generally be non-profit, suitable commercial sites could be included, for a fee, which would help support the overall program.

SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION

main attractions in the area. The duplication of the postcard brochure layout between communities will connect them and give visitors a familiar layout to look for in the region. The template given for the postcard brochure is easy to replicate and implement.

Posters, Postcards, Calendars - Posters, postcards, and calendars are relatively easy items to create that will help RWS promote the region.

By making this type of material readily available, people will be more likely to send postcards to friends, or hang posters and calendars. These will serve as a constant reminder to people of the region and its resources.

see more images of the passport on page 27

Example of a postcard Newspaper Articles - Although it seems effortless, another initiative that would benefit communities is simply placing articles in local papers to give updates on progress in the area, upcoming local events, etc. Furthermore, progress and newly developed products from RWS should be submitted to publications on a wider scale that reaches an audience outside of the LACF. These types of articles have the potential to attract resources and tourism. It is imperative that the organization uses local, state, and national publications as a platform in which to promote their efforts and the region.

Chattahoochee Passport - RWS should develop a “Passport” similar to that utilized by the National Parks Service. This program would identify significant parks, cultural attractions, and commercial locations in the LACF, and encourage tourists to collect the stamps unique to each location. The passport itself would be a small booklet with a page for each location. The page would include information such as a de-

Published Material - There is much in the way of published material about the LACF that already exists, but much of it seems to be scattered between libraries. There is no one bibliography listing relevant materials on the region. A single repository should be created to house a collection of all of the books and articles relating to the LACF. This will help people interested in the area to do research, and it will aid RWS in finding information for any events or seminars.

An online and print bibliography of these resources should be created to help people find resources they may need if they are unable to get to the RWS library. This is a long term project that would be easy to start and could be run by volunteers.

PEOPLE

Regional Communication - Communication between members of different communities in the LACF is key to linking the resources and people of the region. By making it easier for people to communicate with each other and share ideas, the LACF will be better able to develop and grow as a whole rather than as individual parts.

Newsletter - A RWS newsletter should be established to send to Chambers of Commerce, visitor centers and interested private parties to keep people informed as to what is going on in the area and with RWS in particular. The newsletter should start by going out once every page 25

two months with the goal of increasing to once a month.

Email Listserv - A listserv should be created to go to similar parties as the newsletter. A listserv will allow RWS to remind people of events mentioned in the newsletter or inform them of last minute happenings in the region or with RWS. Website Forum - An online forum will allow people to easily communicate with each other. The forum could be divided into different ‘rooms.’ These rooms would provide focus for the forum so that people looking for restaurants could go to one room, fishermen could go to another room and so on. This will help people with like interests share ideas and resources in the region. Additionally, there could be a room for general information about the area.

College Students - College students should be employed by RWS as volunteer or paid interns to assist with the inventory of existing information.

Retirees - Retirees could assist with development of area history and inventory of existing information, particularly in their own communities.

Regional Workshops - Regional workshops could be developed to provide people throughout the region with a forum to discuss specific issues. Examples of these issues could include tourism, historic preservation, or land conservation.

Annual History Conference - An annual or biennial history conference could be established as a means of connecting historians living in the region to provide them an opportunity to share resources, discuss their work, and make connections with each other. It could also be an opportunity for RWS to publicize the history of the region and develop further sources of information about the region.

Leadership Chattahoochee - A regional leadership development program should be established to identify local leaders, promote networking, assist in their development, and educate them regarding the common issues the region is facing.

Due to the large size of the overall region, the area should be subdivided into smaller areas to minimize travel distance. The area groups should meet monthly, with meetings of the entire region taking place once or twice each year.

Volunteer Opportunities - Volunteers are an invaluable resource to a non-profit organization.

RWS should take advantage of anybody who is interested in helping the organization and should have projects and resources on hand so that volunteers can stay busy and feel involved with the group.

Examples of unique stamps for each site

Background With a “Passport” similar to that of the National Parks Service, RiverWay South could identify significant parks, cultural attractions, and commercial locations unique to the LACF, and encourage tourism through the collection of stamps unique to each location. The passport itself would be a small booklet, perhaps 4” by 6”, with a page for each location. Each location page would include information such as a description, contact information, and photographs of various attractions.

The passport should include an index of sites and a map showing the locations throughout the region.

SECTION 6: IMPLEMENTATION

Chattahoochee Passport

This product is intended for a wide audience, from older children to adults. The general idea is that they would visit each location to collect each unique stamp. The production should be of such quality that the booklet would be a collectible item.

Locations Locations should be chosen to highlight the diversity of the region, and may include places such as Kolomoki Mounds State Park, Bagby State Park, historic properties and courthouses. Commercial locations, such as Wingate Lodge or Long Farms, could be included for a fee.

Stamps The stamps, if possible, should be unique to each site. Different color inks could be used, for different types of properties (i.e. historic vs. recreational), or each location could choose their own.

Stamps may include such things as the site name, logo, date, or location.

Production Quality RWS should evaluate the market and production costs to determine the print quality for the Passport. If possible, the booklet should be of high quality with heavy weight paper to create a true collectable item. The costs associated with this may limit the options, and it is important that the price not exclude participation.

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Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park Brochure page 29

Project Riverway would like to recommend an initial course of action for the RiverWay South Board to consider.

Some of the suggestions need to be further developed and will take time to plan and implement. Other suggestions could begin to be accomplished almost immediately.

Therefore, Project Riverway would like to offer its recommendation of the initial steps RWS should take over the next nine months.

SECTION 7: INITIAL STEPS

7. INITIAL STEPS

The most necessary step is to increase your organization’s capacity to implement the suggested projects.

Considering the financial circumstances of any non-profit, creative solutions need to be explored to increase RWS workforce. To that end, Project Riverway recommends hiring semester long interns from the Columbus State University student body. Interns could receive a small stipend for their work or an agreement for class credit could be worked out between RWS and the University. It would create a win-win scenario. RWS increases its capacity and the student receives great experience in the nonprofit sector. Once RWS increases its workforce, the ability to complete the following over the next nine months would be possible:

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INVENTORY, DATABASE, & WEBSITE A thorough inventory of resources (historic, recreational, etc.) needs to be created. Once an inventory is completed, the information can be entered into a database for easy updates and distribution. The database should be developed with the end use of the website in mind. Therefore, all the resources can be integrated into the self selected interactive tour tool on the website. The website could then have the ability to give detailed information about hundreds of locations and generate limitless tours.

PUBLIC FORUM RESULTS It is critical to promote the results of the local public forums to let people know that RWS has local residents’ best interest at the heart of the organization. RWS should also create ways to engage residents throughout the LACF with the inventory process by: requesting that unique stories of the area be recorded or written and submitted; asking artisans or craftsmen submit information on their works; identifying areas of interest; and relaying information on events or activities for inclusion.

VOLUNTEERS RWS should create volunteer opportunities to assist with their goals and projects. These volunteers may include college or qualified high school students, retirees or members of service organizations.

Using volunteers will increase RWS’s capacity immensely.

TOURS Specific sites, such as Providence Canyon, that currently bring visitors into the region should be identified, and efforts should be made to create links to lesser known sites through audio tours to increase tourist travel through the area. The audio tours could also include stories told by local residents to share the history of their community.

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