Request to Reduce Flow in the Chattahoochee Poses Threat to Water Quality

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has asked the Army Corps of Engineers to reduce the amount of water released from Lake Lanier into the Chattahoochee River for half a year, beginning this November. UCR is opposed to this proposed reduction in flow because there is currently no way to measure the targeted river flow in Atlanta to ensure that the river’s health is protected.

While concerns over low water levels at Lake Lanier are understandable, we also need enough water in the river downstream of Atlanta to dilute treated sewage and maintain water quality. To learn more about this issue see the cover story of UCR’s summer newsletter (click here).

The Corps of Engineers is accepting public comments from now through Monday, October 27. Please ask the Corps to reject the state’s request until permanent monitoring stations are in place to measure flow and water quality to protect the Chattahoochee River. To submit comments click here. For more information on this and other Corps actions affecting the Chattahoochee River basin, click here.

Enterprising Georgia Presents “From Soft Drinks to Real Estate” – Thursday, Oct.23

How will the extreme drought we have been experiencing affect your business and what can you do about it? Join Enterprising Georgia, a joint venture of the MIT Enterprise Forum and the Georgia Research Alliance, as they focus on the water shortage's impact on businesses, the cost of water and ideas for mitigating the crisis, this Thursday, October 23, 5:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. at Georgia Public Broadcasting’s studios. UCR members receive a discount when registering! For more information click here.

UCR Member Meeting – Party With a Purpose! November 15

Join with other UCR members to celebrate another year of river protection as we gather at SweetWater Brewery on Saturday, November 15, from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Enjoy complimentary beer (with a valid ID), hors d’oeuvres, and music. Learn what we’ve been up to and how you can help. The program includes special guest speaker Rep. Dubose Porter, House Minority Leader.

The event is free for members, but advanced registration is required. Click here for more information. REGISTER NOW HERE. The first 100 people to register online will receive a limited edition UCR/SweetWater pint glass.

Great River-Related Events on the Horizon!

Please note these upcoming events hosted by some of UCR’s partners in river protection:

• Thursday, 10/23 – RiversRock, a benefit for for Ogeechee Canoochee Riverkeeper, Savannah Riverkeeper and Satilla Riverkeeper to be held at Moon River Brewing in Savannah. (Click here.)

• Saturday, 10/25 – Soque River Ramble 6K Run & Walk, a Fundraiser for the Batesville Volunteer Fire Department and the Soque River Watershed Association, held in unincorporated Batesville in Habersham County. (Click here.)

• Friday-Sunday, 11/7-9 – Hemlockfest, a festival to raise funds and awareness to protect the Hemlock trees crucial to the health of North Georgia's rivers and streams, held at Starbridge near Dahlonega. (Click here.)

Internships Available at UCR

Are you a student looking to gain experience while working to protect the Chattahoochee River? Interns at UCR are given the opportunity to really get involved and tackle tasks that are both demanding and rewarding. Internships can focus on environmental science, environmental law, special events, office administration, fundraising, communications and more. Most internships are unpaid, but offer real world experience in the non-profit business world and provide exposure and education on the challenges facing our natural resources. For more information on how to apply, click here.

Vote Early, Vote NO on Amendment #3

Early Voting is underway in Georgia. Please vote early to shorten lines on election day. Click here to find out about the early voting locations in your county from your county registrar.

UCR and the Georgia Water Coalition urge you to VOTE NO on Amendment #3 which would, in essence, let counties give developers the power to tax citizens for costs incurred in development - taxes that the counties will be required to collect. To learn how this amendment poses a threat to our citizens and water resources, click here.

Also, VOTE YES on Amendment # 1 which will help preserve tracts of forest 200 acres or greater. Click here for more information.

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