State Severely Lacking in Rainfall

Due to an abnormally dry January and February, drought conditions have returned to much of Georgia. And it could get worse.

By the end of last year, the state, with the exception of the northeast quarter, wasn’t in drought.
This has changed.

Northeast Georgia remains in severe to extreme drought conditions. Northwest Georgia is classified as being abnormally dry. The southwest and extreme southeast parts of the state are in mild drought.

More specifically, extreme drought conditions are currently found in Hart, Elbert, Madison, Oglethorpe, Clarke, Jackson, Banks and Stephens counties.

Severe drought conditions are found in Lincoln, Wilkes, Oconee, Barrow, Hall, Lumpkin, White, Habersham, Fannin, Union, Towns and Rabun counties.

Mild drought conditions are found in Camden and Charlton counties as well as south and west of Chattahoochee, Marion, Schley, Sumter, Lee, Worth, Colquitt, Cook and Lowndes counties, inclusive.

Abnormally dry conditions are found in the northwest Georgia counties of Dade, Walker, Catoosa, Whitfield, Chattooga, Gordon, Floyd and Bartow.

The remaining 102 counties are in moderate drought.

The cool season – October through April – is critical for the state. That’s when it typically receives moisture recharge to the soils, groundwater, rivers and reservoirs. Without significant rain in the next two months, Georgia is primed for another year of drought.

Over the past 30 days, almost the entire state has received less than half of normal rain. Much of the northern coastal plain has received less than a quarter of normal rain.

Over the past 60 days, less than half of normal rain has been reported south of a line from Heard to Henry to Morgan to Clarke to Elbert counties, inclusive. Much of the northern coastal plain has received less than a quarter of normal rain over the past 60 days.

While the past two months have been extremely dry, total rain since Oct. 1, the beginning of the recharge period, has been near normal across southwest and northwest Georgia and the lower Savannah River basin.

Stream flows across the piedmont and northern coastal plain are at or near record low flows for late February. Across the southern coastal plain, stream flows are near normal to abnormally low, but are not at record low flows.

The major reservoirs of Lanier, Hartwell, Russell and Clarks Hill remain near record lows with diminishing hope for recharge unless there is a major weather pattern shift over the next few months.

Groundwater levels are generally near normal across southwest and northwest Georgia. The levels are abnormally low across much of the northern coastal plain and the piedmont.
Groundwater levels can and do vary over very short distances especially when measurements are taken from different aquifers.

Additional drought information and updates can be found at www.georgiadrought.org. Automated weather data is at www.georgiaweather.net. Daily rainfall data is at www.cocorahs.org. U.S. Geological Survey data is at ga.water.usgs.gov.
Water conservation information is available at www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

By David Emory Stooksbury
University of Georgia

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GEMA Distributes Repetitive Flood Claims Funds to DeKalb County

The Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), on behalf of Governor Sonny Perdue, recently reimbursed DeKalb County $1,025,250 for the costs associated with the acquisition of three properties in the Clairmont Road neighborhood which is impacted by the south fork of Peachtree Creek. The total approved cost for the grant is $1,159,150 with 100 percent federal cost assistance.

The Repetitive Flood Claims grant program was authorized by the Bunning-Bereuter-Blumenauer Flood Insurance Reform Act of 2004, which amended the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968. Up to $10 million is available annually for FEMA to provide Repetitive Flood Claim funds to assist states and communities reduce flood damages to insured properties that have had one or more claims to the National Flood Insurance Program.

For additional information on the mitigation grant programs please visit the GEMA Web site at www.gema.ga.gov.
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Mayor Franklin's Statement Regarding Department of Watershed Management’s Hearing at the State Planning and Community Affairs Committee

As one of the largest water utilities in the southeast, the City of Atlanta Department of Watershed Management is constantly striving to effectively and efficiently maintain, manage and operate a water and wastewater system that serves more than a million customers. Over the past eight years, the Department has turned the corner on upgrading an aging water and wastewater infrastructure, and we will continue those efforts.

Commissioner Rob Hunter and I appreciated the opportunity to hear from Chairman Tommy Smith and others today and to share information about the strides we have made in the management of our system. It was also a chance to thank the General Assembly for its support over the years as Atlanta moves to improve not just our infrastructure, but our customer service as well. The City generates more than two million bills every year, and, with that number, there are bound to be issues -- many of which are due to leaks, running toilets, meter mis-reads and mere high usage, but some of which are due to mistakes on our part.

Aside from infrastructure work, like tunnel construction, sewer separation, sewer rehabilitation and water main replacement projects, the Department has made major improvements that include a new customer service call center, installation of new meters capable of being read remotely and facility upgrades in an effort to continue our efforts to become a Best Practice model.

We welcome the chance to hear the concerns of our customers, and we believe it is our solemn obligation to give our ratepayers the service they deserve. It is an obligation we take seriously.

- Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin
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Georgia Water Coalition: Regional Water Councils Should Heed Georgians’ Call to Protect Clean Water

Members of 174 partner-strong Georgia Water Coalition say that the Regional Water Council appointments announced Wednesday are unbalanced. Only six of the over 300 appointments are representatives of the scores of conservation groups dedicated to protecting and restoring the state’s water resources.

One of the six is Satilla Riverkeeper, Gordon Rogers, of Waynesboro. “It is an honor to be appointed by statewide officials to our regional planning council, and I am looking forward to serving alongside my fellow Georgian’s of the Suwannee and Satilla River watersheds. I appreciate the support of our local legislators, particularly Mark Williams in this effort” said Rogers. “It is disappointing however, to see so few voices for the rivers among other councils, particularly for those rivers downstream of Metro North Georgia” he added.

“Even though only a few Georgia Water Coalition member groups are represented on these councils, the Georgia Water Coalition will continue to be an active voice on behalf of Georgia communities and their water resources in regional water planning and insisting on full public participation in the planning” said Sally Bethea, the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

Last week the Georgia Water Coalition released poll results showing that ensuring enough clean water continues to top Georgians’ environmental concerns, according to a recent survey conducted by Georgia consulting firm The Schapiro Group, Inc. According to the poll, 87 percent of Georgia voters were concerned about water shortages and 75 percent were concerned about water quality. The Georgia Water Coalition is urging the new regional council appointees to heed the concerns of Georgians.

“This poll tells us that Georgians want to protect our rivers and streams and to do what’s needed to provide plentiful, clean water for current and future generations,” said April Ingle, Executive Director of the Georgia River Network “we will continue to be an insistent voice for Georgians, bringing their concerns to these councils.”

The poll showed support for specific water-related measures likely to be deliberated by the councils, including well water protection, water conservation measures, and restrictions on water transfers from one river basin to another.

Of those surveyed, 73 percent supported extending a ban on aquifer storage and recovery—a measure that is currently in place to protect well water in South Georgia. Aquifer storage and recovery is a practice of injecting chemically treated water in our underground water supply with the intent to later use it.

Georgia legislators have twice placed a moratorium on this practice until pressing concerns were alleviated regarding threats to water quality, cost-effectiveness and water recovery capacity, but the current moratorium is set to expire at the end of this year.

On the issue of water transfers, 59 percent of those polled overall -- including 55 percent within metro Atlanta – said they opposed moving water from one river basin to another, also referred to as interbasin transfers, which has been strongly opposed by communities downstream from Metro Atlanta. Interbasin transfers are a practice of transferring water from one river basin to another river basin, for use, and the treated waste water is discharged in the receiving basin instead of being returned to the basin it originated from, resulting in a net loss of water in the originating basin.

Language to statutorily require the Georgia Environmental Protection Division Director to consider extensive analysis before allowing new interbasin transfers was removed from a reservoir bill during the final hours of the 2008 legislative session.

“The results of this poll show that Georgia voters are ready for action on these issues,” said Jennette Gayer with Environment Georgia. “The appropriate response to this data on the part of state leaders would be to act now to extend the ban on injecting water into underground aquifers, develop simple outdoor water restrictions that actually save water and require further analysis before permitting any interbasin transfers.”

The poll also showed that these issues found wide support among Republicans, Democrats and Independents. For instance, more than 65 percent of voters, regardless of political affiliation, support extending the ban on aquifer storage and recovery. More than 80 percent support easier to understand outdoor watering restrictions.

“The poll shows that protecting our waterways is not a red or blue issue,” said Jill Johnson with Georgia Conservation Voters. “Voters want to see more solutions from state leaders when it comes to ensuring a clean water supply for their families.”

Among the additional findings, voters exhibited high levels of concern about various conservation issues:

· Water shortage: 87% concerned

· Water quality: 75% concerned

· Loss of natural areas due to development: 74% concerned

· Air quality: 72% concerned

· Climate change: 63% concerned

Georgians demonstrated a high level of support for specific water management solutions:

· Developing new, easy-to-understand statewide watering restrictions: 82% support

· Extending the ban on the practice of aquifer storage and recovery: 73% support

· Banning further interbasin transfers of water: 59% support

· Excluding water programs from budget cuts: 52% support

Concerns about the following water issues are not specific to any one political party:

· 88% of Republicans, 91% of Democrats, and 83% of Independents place a high priority on the legislature ensuring our state’s water supply is clean enough for drinking and recreation.

· 80% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats and 80% of Independents support developing new, easy-to-understand statewide watering restrictions.

· 76% of Republicans, 80% of Democrats and 66% of Independents place a high priority on the legislature promoting efficient water use among business and residential users.

· 74% of Republicans, 78% of Democrats and 68% of Independents support extending the ban on aquifer storage and recovery.

The poll of 600 Georgians was conducted via live telephone survey September 17-23, 2008. The margin of sampling error is ±4.0%.

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January Dry Month with Variable Temps for Georgia

Georgia’s temperatures were close to typical last month. Most weather stations reported mean temperatures of only 1 degree Fahrenheit above normal. Macon had the highest departure at 2 F above normal. The Alma station reported the lowest departure of 1 F below normal.

Temperatures during the month swung from cold to warm and back again as a series of fronts moved through the region, bringing Arctic and Gulf of Mexico air by turns into the state. These swings were consistent with the weather patterns expected during the neutral El Nino-Southern Oscillation phase, which was present at the beginning of the month.

There were two temperature records tied or set last month. Alma tied a low temperature of 23 F on the Jan. 16. Columbus set a new high temperature of 75 F on January 6.

The northwest corner received above normal precipitation. Rome reported a 24-hour total of 5.06 inches on Jan. 6 alone. It received 7.42 inches in total during the month, compared to a normal of 5.47 inches. However, rainfall for most of the state was below average.

Atlanta reported 2.88 inches (or 2.15 inches below normal); Athens reported 2.70 inches (1.99 below normal); Columbus 2.49 inches (2.29 below normal); Macon 1.34 inches (3.66 below normal); Savannah 1.02 inches (2.93 below normal); Alma 1.47 inches (3.36 below normal); Brunswick 1.83 inches (2.03 below normal); and Augusta 1.52 inches (2.98 below normal).

In some parts of southwest Georgia, rainfall was as much as 5 inches below normal.

Drought conditions expanded last month slightly in the east and along the coast.

The most active weather event in January was a strong frontal passage on January 5-6. It brought the first two tornadoes of the year. One was located near Chattoogaville in northwest Georgia, the other near Forsyth south of Atlanta. Both were small local tornadoes which did only minor damage to roofs and trees and destroyed one mobile home.

A number of high-wind reports were also received from this frontal passage in southwest Georgia.

The rainfall from the effects of the Gulf of Mexico low that rode up the front caused localized flooding in northern Georgia along some streams and caused water to almost overflow several small dams. However, stream flows fell quickly once the pulse of rainfall moved through the system, reflecting the continuing dry conditions.

Cold temperatures in the second half of January slowed field work across the state. Farmers were concerned with the slow growth of forage and small grains.

Blueberries in bloom in southern Georgia were damaged by low temperatures Jan. 21-23, as well as breakage due to the weight of water sprayed on the bushes, a practice farmers do to reduce the effects of freezing air.

For more Georgia weather information, go to the Web site http://climate.engr.uga.edu.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

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Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker Announce Appointments to Regional Water Councils

Councils were created with passage of Statewide Water Management Plan

Governor Sonny Perdue, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle and Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson announced today their selections for members of Georgia’s regional water planning councils, which will have a key role in the statewide water planning process.

“The individuals we have selected are solution-oriented and will provide visionary water resource planning,” said Governor Perdue. “These appointments reflect a diverse group of Georgians and each one has a unique skill set and knowledge base, which will allow the councils to focus on water resource issues while also addressing the state’s economic needs.”

The Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan, approved by the General Assembly in 2008, created ten water planning regions. Each of these regions will have a water planning council to represent the water interests unique to their respective regions.

“Water will remain a key issue for our state and I am very pleased with the group of individuals selected to move forward with a responsible, long-term plan,” said Lt. Governor Cagle. “This list includes well-rounded men and women who expand across industries and regions. It was an honor to work so closely with Governor Perdue and Speaker Richardson on these nominations and the Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan.”

Each council consists of 25 members, three alternates and an ex-officio member from both the House and Senate. The councils include representatives from agriculture, forestry, industry, commerce, local governments, water utilities, regional development centers, tourism, recreation and environmental groups.

“The appointments named today represent Georgians with the right experience and background to serve their region’s water needs,” said Speaker Richardson. “Their service will ensure our water resources are used prudently as we continue to implement water planning and conservation strategies.”

The councils will oversee preparation of regional water development and conservation plans for their planning regions. These plans will focus on both water quantity and water quality issues, and will include forecasts of future water supply and wastewater treatment needs.

Under requirements of the plan, the Governor selects 13 members of each council. In addition, the Governor selects one alternate member who will attend all meetings and vote if needed to establish a quorum. The Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the Georgia House of Representatives select the remaining council members including non-voting ex officio members from the Senate and the House.

A list of the appointments is below and a map of the water planning regions is at www.georgiawaterplanning.org.

Water Council appointments by Region:

Altamaha
Name City County
Mike Polski Cochran Bleckley
Brinson Lanier Metter Candler
Cleve Edenfield Swainsboro Emanuel
Gary Bell Claxton Evans
James Mark Burns Tarrytown Montgomery
James E. Strickland Glennville Tattnall
Sue Sammons Lumber City Telfair
Dent L. Temples Lyons Toombs
Lindsay Thomas Screven Wayne
Edward S. Jeffords Jesup Wayne
Larry Windham Glenwood Wheeler
Guy Rex Bullock Pitts Wilcox
William G. Tomberlin Abbeville Wilcox
Greg Wolff Metter Candler
Doug Sharp Jesup Wayne
Jim Free Swainsboro Emanuel
Russ Yeomans Swainsboro Emanuel
Michael Williams Cochran Bleckley
Buddy Pittman Eastman Dodge
Randy Giddens Eastman Dodge
Dan McCranie Eastman Dodge
Steve Meeks Kite Johnson
John Roller Mount Vernon Montgomery
Phillip Jennings Soperton Treutlen
Len Hauss Jesup Wayne
Alternate Paul Stavriotis Glennville Tattnall
Alternate Randy Branch Baxley Appling
Alternate Gerald DeWitt Jesup Wayne
Ex-Officio Rep. Greg Morris
Ex-Officio Sen. Tommie Williams

Coastal Georgia
Name City County
Michael J. Melton Richmond Hill Bryan
John F. Godbee Brooklet Bulloch
Roger A. Weaver St Marys Camden
Horace Waller Bloomingdale Chatham
Larry M. Stuber Savannah Chatham
Randal Morris Brunswick Glynn
Don Hogan Brunswick Glynn
Bryan Thompson Brunswick Glynn
James Thomas Hinesville Liberty
John McIver Riceboro Liberty
Thomas J. Ratcliffe Hinesville Liberty
Marky Waters Ludowici Long
Frank E. Field Darien McIntosh
Fred Blitch Statesboro Bulloch
Benjamin Thompson Statesboro Bulloch
Dennis Baxter Bloomingdale Chatham
Reginald Loper Springfield Effingham
Michelle Liotta Rincon Effingham
Tony Sammons St. Simons Glynn
Rick Gardner Pembroke Bryan
Billy Hatcher Savannah Chatham
Keith Post St. Marys Camden
Chris Blocker Port Wentworth Chatham
Mark Smith Savannah Chatham
Kay Cantrell St. Simons Glynn
Alternate Phil Odom Hinesville Liberty
Alternate Duane Harris St. Simons Glynn
Alternate William Guthrie Savannah Chatham
Ex-Officio Rep. Cecily Hill
Ex-Officio Sen. Eric Johnson

Coosa-North Georgia
Name City County
Sherry Loudermilk Epworth Fannin
Jerry Jennings Rome Floyd
David Westmoreland Ellijay Gilmer
Sam Payne Calhoun Gordon
Todd Pealock Clarkesville Habersham
Gerald R. Dunham Cornelia Habersham
Jimmy Petty Chatsworth Murray
Richard H Martin Cedartown Polk
Frank M. Riley Hiawassee Towns
Lamar Parris Blairsville Union
David Ashburn LaFayette Walker
Tom O'Bryant Cleveland White
David Pennington Dalton Whitfield
Stephen Gray Clarkesville Habersham
Mike Berg Dawsonville Dawson
Irwin Bagwell Rome Floyd
Kelly Cornwell Fairmount Gordon
James Cope Dalton Whitfield
Charlie Bethel Dalton Whitfield
Tim Bowden Dahlonega Lumpkin
William Mercier Blue Ridge Fannin
John Bennett Rome Floyd
Kenneth Beasely Dahlonega Lumpkin
Pat Gober Dawsonville Dawson
Doug Anderton Lookout Mountain Dade
Alternate Keith Coffee Ringgold Catoosa
Alternate Haynes Johnson Jasper Pickens
Alternate Susan Mayfield Rome Floyd
Ex-Officio Rep. Katie Dempsey
Ex-Officio Sen. Chip Pearson

Lower Flint
Name City County
T.E. Moye Newton Baker
Mike Newberry Arlington Calhoun
Rick Moss Doerun Colquitt
Dean Burke Bainbridge Decatur
James S. Singletary Blakely Early
Jerry Lee Cairo Grady
Gary Ledden Leesburg Lee
Howard Small Colquitt Miller
John Bailey Donalsonville Seminole
Josh Herring Boston Thomas
Steve Sykes Thomasville Thomas
Jimmy Champion Sylvester Worth
Bill Yearta Sylvester Worth
Terry Clark Moultrie Colquitt
John Bridges Brinson Decatur
Greg Murray Bainbridge Decatur
Richard Royal Camilla Mitchell
John Heath Dawson Terrell
Jim Quinn Leesburg Lee
Jerry Chapman Colquitt Miller
Will Vereen Moultrie Colquitt
Jimmy Webb Leary Calhoun
Hal Haddock Damascus Early
Chris Hobby Bainbridge Decatur
Chuck Lingle Albany Dougherty
Alternate Doyle Medders Sylvester Worth
Alternate Harold R. Hudgens, Jr. Albany Dougherty
Alternate George McIntosh Dawson Terrell
Ex-Officio Rep. Gerald Greene
Ex-Officio Sen. John Bulloch

Middle Chattahoochee
Name City County
James Knight Whitesburg Carroll
Matt Windom Bowdon Carroll
Larry F. Dillard Cusseta Chattahoochee
Walter Rosso Cusseta Chattahoochee
Kenneth Penuel Fort Gaines Clay
Paul Chappell Pine Mountain Harris
Denney Rogers Ephesus Heard
Steven R Davis Columbus Muscogee
Gordon Moss Columbus Muscogee
Larry Clark Georgetown Quitman
Jimmy Bradley Cuthbert Randolph
Brad Yates Franklin Heard
James Woods West Point Troup
Aaron McWhorter Whitesburg Carroll
Randy Simpkins Carrollton Carroll
Alan Bell Bremen Haralson
Joseph Griffith Buchanan Haralson
Gardiner Garrard Columbus Muscogee
Jeff Lukken LaGrange Troup
Robert York Bowden Carroll
Philip Eidson Tallapoosa Haralson
Thomas Ellis Tallapoosa Haralson
Harry Lange Cataula Harris
Robert Watkins Hamilton Harris
Jeffrey Brown LaGrange Troup
Alternate William C. Gregory LaGrange Troup
Alternate Jimmy Thompson Shellman Randolph
Alternate Don Watson LaGrange Troup
Ex-Officio Rep. Bob Hanner
Ex-Officio Sen. Bill Heath

Middle Ocmulgee
Name City County
Thomas Wicker Macon Bibb
Elmo A. Richardson Macon Bibb
Robert L. Dickey Musella Crawford
Russell R. Adams Warner Robins Houston
Jason Briley Gray Jones
William R. Lazenby Gray Jones
Eva Turpin Persons Forsyth Monroe
Bobby Hamby Porterdale Newton
Ben Copeland, Jr. Fort Valley Peach
Tony Bass Fort Valley Peach
Jerry D. Davis Hawkinsville Pulaski
John Bembry Hawkinsville Pulaski
Jay Matthews Barnesville Lamar
Harvey Norris Flovilla Butts
Tony Rojas Macon Bibb
Charles Harris Musella Crawford
Barry Peters Forsyth Monroe
Lawrence McSwain Covington Newton
Van Whaller Jackson Butts
Hal Newberry Macon Bibb
Keith Dalton Covington Newton
Paul Leath Macon Bibb
Blair Cleveland Macon Bibb
Terry Scarborough Warner Robins Houston
Jim Hamm Smarr Monroe
Alternate Robert Ray Fort Valley Peach
Alternate William Whitten Monticello Jasper
Alternate Richard Haddock Macon Bibb
Ex-Officio Rep. David Knight
Ex-Officio Sen. Ross Tolleson

Savannah-Upper Ogeechee
Name City County
R. Lee Webster Waynesboro Burke
Jerry Boling Homer Banks
Larry Guest Elberton Elbert
Barry W. Cronic Canon Franklin
Thomas C. Jordan Louisville Jefferson
Toye Hill Lincolnton Lincoln
Robert Jenkins Millen Jenkins
Charles G. Newton Thomson McDuffie
Larry S. Walker Lakemont Rabun
Phil Sanders Stephens Oglethorpe
Ron Cross Evans Columbia
Donald E. Dye Toccoa Stephens
Chris McCorkle Warrenton Warren
Charles Cawthon Lavonia Franklin
Tenia Workman Hartwell Hart
Bruce Azevedo Colbert Madison
Eddie Madden Elberton Elbert
Braye Boardman Augusta Richmond
Deke Copenhaver Augusta Richmond
Tim McGill Martinez Columbia
Scott MacGregor Augusta Richmond
Tom Wiedmeyer Augusta Richmond
Stan Shepphard Sylvania Screven
James Newsome Warren Warrenton
Mike Eskew Washington Wilkes
Alternate Pat Goodwin Evans Columbia
Alternate Patrick D. Goran Hartwell Hart
Alternate Dan Fowler Wrens Jefferson
Ex-Officio Rep. Tom McCall
Ex-Officio Sen. Ralph Hudgens

Suwannee-Satilla
Name City County
Linda Tanner Pearson Atkinson
Eugene Dyal Alma Bacon
Michael E. Edgy Waynesville Brantley
Doyle Weltzbarker Quitman Brooks
Alva Joseph Hopkins Folkston Charlton
Miles A. Stone Fargo Clinch
Carroll Coarsey Brookfield Tift
Donald H. McCallum Wray Irwin
Darvin Eason Lenox Cook
Scott Downing Fitzgerald Ben Hill
Joe Lewis Tifton Tift
Jim Hedges Ashburn Turner
James R. Willis Waycross Ware
Hanson Carter Nashville Berrien
Gordon Rogers Waynesville Brantley
Grady Thompson Tifton Tift
R.R. Rusty McCall Valdosta Lowndes
William L. Brim Tifton Tift
Dan Raines Ashburn Turner
Earl Brice Douglas Coffee
Greg Evans Douglas Coffee
Jackie Wilson Douglas Coffee
Wesley Langdale Valdosta Lowndes
Ben Copeland Lakeland Lanier
Scotty Raines Sycamore Turner
Alternate Frank Sisk Blackshear Pierce
Alternate Don Johnson Nicholls Coffee
Alternate Joseph Boyett Waycross Ware
Ex-Officio Rep. Jay Shaw
Ex-Officio Sen. Greg Goggins

Upper Flint
Name City County
Charles M. Leger Cordele Crisp
William Culpepper Cordele Crisp
Eddie Freeman Griffin Spalding
Donald G. Chase Oglethorpe Macon
Gary Powell Buena Vista Marion
Robert Purvis Woodbury Meriwether
Thomas R. Burnsed Meansville Pike
James G. Barineau Ellaville Schley
Mike Beres Zebulon Pike
Jim Reid Americus Sumter
Clifford J. Arnett Talbotton Talbot
Gene Brunson Reynolds Taylor
Hays Arnold Thomaston Upson
Beth English Vienna Dooly
Benjamin Wood Cordele Crisp
Terrell Hudson Unadilla Dooly
Randall Starling Oglethorpe Macon
Charles Rucks Brooks Spalding
Harold Fallin Thomaston Upson
Michael Bowens Vienna Dooly
William Sawyer Oglethorpe Macon
Frank Keller Greenville Meriwether
Dick Morrow Griffin Spalding
Mike Donnelly Americus Sumter
Raines Jordon Talbotton Talbot
Alternate Lamar Perlis Cordele Crisp
Alternate Jack Holbrook Preston Webster
Alternate Brant Keller Griffin Spalding
Ex-Officio Rep. Lynmore James
Ex-Officio Sen. George Hooks

Upper Oconee
Name City County
Patricia Graham Braselton Barrow
Drew Marczak Athens Clarke
W. Rabun Neal Greensboro Greene
Hunter Bicknell Jefferson Jackson
Danny Hogan Dexter Laurens
Jennifer Davis Dublin Laurens
Patrick H. Hardy, Sr. Madison Morgan
Richard McSpadden Bogart Oconee
Melvin Davis Watkinsville Oconee
Vincent Ciampa Eatonton Putnam
Richard Bentley Milledgeville Baldwin
Allen Hodges Sandersville Washington
Dennis W. Holder Irwinton Wilkinson
David Bennett Milledgeville Baldwin
Roger Folson Dublin Laurens
Benji Tarbutton Sandersville Washington
Charles Jordan Sandersville Washington
Jimmy Andrews Sandersville Washington
Kevin Little Monroe Walton
Bill Ross Statham Barrow
Charles Armentrout Athens Clarke
Dana Heil Athens Clarke
Linda Gantt Watkinsville Oconee
Alan Foster Eatonton Putnam
Greg Thompson Monroe Walton
Alternate Larry J. Eley White Plains Greene
Alternate David Allen Athens Clarke
Alternate Stuart Cofer Watkinsville Oconee
Ex-Officio Rep. Terry England
Ex-Officio Sen. Bill Cowsert
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Water Efficiency by Walter Reeves

by Walter Reeves, host of the Georgia Gardener on Georgia Public Television

Water efficiently– Over-watering is wasteful and harms plants; target thirsty plants that are wilting or turning colors by hand-watering at the root base and not the foliage.