2002
Hosted or co-sponsored two conferences, seven river cleanups, eight adopt-a-stream workshops, and handled 303 calls to UCR’s Citizen Response HOTLINE.
Developed a "Waters to the Sea" interactive CD-ROM project for the Chattahoochee River Basin to be used by schools during the 2003-04 school year; secured a national EPA grant to provide river education programs to students in rural areas.
Brought 1800 students aboard our floating classroom on Lake Lanier and provided other hands-on watershed education programs for students throughout the Chattahoochee watershed.
Advised Atlanta's new administration and a panel of national experts on issues related to the court-mandated sewer cleanup; supported the city's plans to upgrade its facilities, and, at the Mayor's request, convened a panel to assist the city with its water quality monitoring program.
Actively participated in negotiations with developers, government agencies and others to make measurable improvements in controlling soil erosion - now included in a bill before the 2003 General Assembly.
Working with other conservation groups, spearheaded the Georgia Water Coalition, which produced a comprehensive report containing recommendations for laws to improve the state's management and protection of rivers, lakes, and aquifers.
After lengthy hearings in our challenge of Gwinnett County's state permit to discharge 40 million gallons of treated sewage into Lake Lanier, appealed the decision to uphold the permit.
Promoted a more protective water quality classification for a 30-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee below Buford Dam, which sustains re-producing brown and rainbow trout, and secured the state's agreement to evaluate protection strategies.
Raised the standard for state evaluation of water withdrawal permits, in connection with our appeal of a withdrawal permit for a coal-fired power plant in Heard County.
Promoted regional solutions through active participation in the development of wastewater, stormwater and water supply plans by the 16-county Metro Water Planning District.
Helped government agencies complete and promote the first real-time bacteria monitoring program in the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area. Comments on proposed changes to bacteria standard forced the state to delay its decision on a weaker bacteria standard in order to convene a stakeholder group to review concerns.
Tackled industrial stormwater pollution problems in the highly urban Proctor Creek watershed and secured the agreement of several progressive industries to install best management practices.
Helped secure a veto of the chemical industry's cost-benefit bill requiring that a dollar value be placed on clean air, clean water, and human health, prior to the adoption of any state regulations.
Helped finalize regulations that establish a protocol for the state's use of water sampling data gathered by citizens - in response to state legislation that we helped pass in 2001.
