GA DOT Dirt Bill is Defeated!

Thank you for your help in keeping the Georgia Department of Transportation (GA DOT) and its paving contractors from getting a pass on the enforcement of clean-water laws through exemptions that these habitual violators aggressively sought in this legislative session!

Working with the Georgia Water Coalition and others, UCR helped stop the original bill (HB 131) in the House, but lobbyists for the paving contractors persisted and amended the exemption language onto another bill — HB 137.

Thanks to an amendment proposed by Sen. Jeff Mullis and Sen. Steve Gooch, the problem provisions were deleted from HB 137 prior to its passage by the Georgia Senate. Now, the House must agree to the Senate's changes to HB 137 by the end of the session this Thursday, April 14.

400 volunteers gear up to 'Sweep the Hooch'

We’re all getting very excited about the inaugural “Sweep the Hooch” river cleanup thanks to UCR, Trout Unlimited and our partners. The cleanup is from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, April 16, with walkers, waders and paddlers covering 18 sites over 40 miles of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area. This event not only helps kick off National Parks Week but also serves a nice way to start thinking about Earth Day.

So if you’re out there on the river this weekend enjoying the gorgeous weather and see us working the river, float by and say hello.

Harry Shearer to present 'The Big Uneasy' April 25

UCR has partnered with Lefont Sandy Springs theater and its new Lefont Film Society movie screening series on a screening of humorist Harry Shearer’s Hurricane Katrina documentary “The Big Uneasy” at 7 p.m. Monday, April 25. Shearer (“The Simpsons,” “This is Spinal Tap”), himself a part-time New Orleans resident, will appear at the screening and conduct a Q&A afterward.

The screening will include a pre-screening reception, which begins at 6 p.m. The $15 tickets, proceeds of which go to UCR, include free SweetWater Beer. This special screening is at 7 p.m.; all other screenings the rest of the week are at 11 a.m.

For ticket information, visit the Lefont Sandy Springs website link here.

A Fond Farewell and a Warm Welcome to UCR Staff

Our former Communications Director, Mary O. Harrison, has decided to focus full-time on her music career, which she has pursued “on the side” for the past 10 years. You can find her music and upcoming shows on her band’s Reverbnation page here, (http://www.reverbnation.com/virginiaplane). Mark your calendar for her CD-release show on June 24 at the Highland Inn Ballroom!

We are pleased to welcome UCR’s new Communications Director, David Lee Simmons, who has more than 20 years of experience in reporting, communications, public relations, and social media. You’ll be hearing more from David Lee in the coming weeks and months; you can reach him at dsimmons@ucriverkeeper.org.

UCR Partners with Atlanta Rocks!, The Daily Cause to deliver 'Value with a Purpose,' starting April 14

Atlanta Rocks! climbs to great heights for UCR in a partnership with The Daily Cause that will help create local offers to benefit UCR. The Daily Cause's unique community connects local causes, businesses and consumers with an emphasis on financial contribution to causes – delivering "Value with a Purpose."

Look for our special email tomorrow (Thursday) morning for our first DailyCauseDeal benefiting UCR. It is presented by Atlanta Rocks! – the most popular indoor rock-climbing gym in the Southeast. By joining The Daily Cause and being an active member, all current and future deal purchases will benefit UCR.

Click on this link to go to The Daily Cause and sign up now.

Please join, and thank you for your continued support of UCR.