2007 Accomplishments

Responded to north Georgia’s drought and water shortages with factual information and analysis for our members, the public, and government agencies, as well as local, regional and national media outlets.

Provided specific recommendations to improve water management with a focus on water efficiency programs; led the Georgia Water Coalition’s development of a "report card” and press conference on the failure of local governments to implement such programs.

Secured the acknowledgement of pollution problems in Lake Lanier by government agencies through their official listing of the lake as “impaired” for high levels of nutrients; collected monthly water samples for use in the development of the mandated lake cleanup plan.

Evaluated the state’s draft water plan and provided comments on its flaws with recommendations for improvement; helped galvanize community groups throughout the watershed to advocate for a stronger water plan.

Helped secure successful enforcement actions against several developers in violation of erosion control/buffer laws; helped defeat two legislative proposals that would have seriously weakened the state’s erosion control programs.

Purchased a new 40-foot catamaran with a glass bottom for our floating classroom program on Lake Lanier that annually provides 2,000 students with hands-on learning.

Celebrated the completion of Atlanta’s Greenway Acquisition Program, a component of our 1995 lawsuit, and the permanent protection of 1,887 acres along urban streams; also noted excellent progress in the city’s reduction of sewage spills—286 in 2007, down from more than 1,000 in 2000.

Actively promoted water conservation in metro Atlanta through legislation mandating plumbing retrofits (introduced, but not passed), participation in committees and comment opportunities, development of a “report card” on Metro Water District progress, and media and editorial focus on metro conservation successes and failures.

Completed our EPA-funded Get the Dirt Out project, concluding that two-thirds of the construction sites investigated had major violations; provided specific recommendations for improvements in Georgia’s erosion control program to government agencies.

Intervened in the re-licensing process for Morgan Falls Dam to remain a party to all future proceedings and be able to advocate for the best environmental mitigation package possible.

Increased participation and revenue for our 5th Annual Back to the Chattahoochee River Race and Festival and held our most successful Patron Dinner to date, honoring Taylor Glover.

Created twice monthly RiverFLASH e-blast for members and others to offer timely river-related information; developed and approved a new strategic plan for 2008-2010; secured funding to significantly upgrade our member/donor database.