UGA weather monitoring network struggles to survive

The Georgia Automated Environmental Monitoring Network, operated by the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, is in jeopardy due to key faculty and funding losses. Georgia farmers depend on the network for weather, soil and water information that helps them make the quick decisions needed to efficiently produce their crops.

“Originally, it looked as though we would have to start decommissioning the 81-station network in mid-April,” said J. Scott Angle, CAES dean and director. “We have since secured some funds to give us a bit wider window to find the full funds needed to keep the network afloat.”

The network cost more than $300,000 annually to operate.

Each station in the AEMN records rainfall, air and soil temperature, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, soil moisture and barometric pressure. Some stations record evaporation, water temperature and leaf wetness. All these values are read every second and averaged and recorded every 15 minutes on site.

The information doesn’t just help farmers. It helps a wide range of groups, including utility companies, which are the network’s heaviest users. The companies use the system to determine peak-usage times, which helps them make valuable production and billing decisions.

“The utility companies are the largest users of the network, but also reap the biggest benefits,” Angle said.

Other users include food brokers from around the world who need information about how Georgia crops are doing in order to make purchasing decisions. The system is used by event planners, golf course superintendents, schoolteachers and students, too.

For almost 20 years, anyone could use the system for free. The network website averages more than a half a million hits by over 60,000 separate visitors per month. Almost 300,000 of the hits come from within Georgia.

“Closing the system would cause serious problems for so many in the state,” Angle said. “We are doing all we can to avoid that. But, it is obvious that we will no longer be able to afford to offer this service for free.”

Angle said the college is looking at several models for making the system a sustainable service at a reasonable cost to users who need the information. In a recent discussion with Georgia commodity groups, farmers from across the state pledged support for a subscriber-based system.

“That was good to hear,” Angle said. “As growers already face high input costs this year from the rising prices of fuel and fertilizer, you hate to ask them to dip deeper into their profits to fund a service you have been providing for free. I was glad to hear they value this tool enough to want to chip in to help us keep it alive.”

Subscriptions will certainly help, Angle said, but to make the system sustainable long-term will require major contributions from organizations whose members rely on the system and have a vested interest in keeping it viable.

For regular updates about the status of the AEMN, or to learn more about it, go to the system’s website at http://www.georgiaweather.net

By J Faith Peppers
University of Georgia

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Proposed Water Transfer Rule Doesn’t Go Far Enough to Protect State’s Rivers, Communities

Water diversions from Georgia rivers that impact more than half the state’s population may continue without proper oversight from state environmental regulators if a proposed rule presented to Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources Board (DNR Board) is implemented, according to advocates with the state’s leading water protection groups.

On Tuesday, Dec. 7, Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD) presented proposed changes to state rules governing water withdrawals involving interbasin transfers—the process of removing water from one river and using it and/or discharging it to another river.

The practice is particularly controversial because transfers can harm the health of rivers and reduce economic development potential in downstream communities.

EPD is now accepting public comments on the rule through close of business Jan. 10 and is expected to present a final version of the proposal to the Board at its Jan. 26 meeting.

“The proposed rule is a positive step forward. It includes specific criteria that should be evaluated before EPD allows an interbasin transfer. Unfortunately, the language in the rule does not require that EPD evaluate those criteria,” said Joe Cook, Executive Director of the Coosa River Basin Initiative in Rome, a member of the statewide Georgia Water Coalition. “It only regulates water transfers if EPD chooses to do so.”

At issue is one word in the rule: “should.” Currently, the rule reads that EPD “should” evaluate interbasin transfer criteria that are part of the State Water Plan adopted by the General Assembly and Governor in 2008. These criteria encourage EPD to consider, among other things, the availability of other water supplies, the effectiveness of a community’s water conservation program and the impacts of the transfer during drought conditions before allowing an interbasin transfer.

“These criteria are good, but the use of the word “should” is the equivalent of encouraging your child to clean up their room,” said Juliet Cohen, an attorney with Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper who spoke on behalf of the Coalition at the Board meeting. “If I want my children to clean up their rooms, I tell them they MUST clean up their rooms. For this rule to have any legal teeth, “should” needs to be replaced with “shall.”

During the 2010 General Assembly session, 22 senators and 67 representatives sponsored legislation that mimicked the proposed rule currently before the DNR Board. That bill required EPD to evaluate the interbasin transfer criteria outlined in the State Water Plan. The measure died when legislative leaders refused hear the bills in committee.

The timing of the proposed rule appears to be an effort to preclude legislative action during the 2011 session, according to the Coalition. EPD Director Allen Barnes has stated his preference to address interbasin transfer rules through the DNR Board rather than through the General Assembly.

Interbasin transfers occur in 28 Georgia counties, impacting 5.5 million people in those counties. Millions more downstream may be impacted by these water diversions. About 90 percent of the state’s water transfers occur in Metro Atlanta. Most of the water is diverted from the Chattahoochee, Coosa and Flint rivers.

Water transfers in the Flint River basin, are in large part responsible for a 60 percent reduction in low flows since the early 70s. Return of those water diversions to the Flint would improve flows by as much as 50 percent. Canoe and kayak outfitters on the Flint lost nearly 4,000 customers as a result of low flows during the 2010 paddling season.

The Chattahoochee loses 48 million gallons per day and the Coosa loses 10 million gallons per day.

“Communities downstream from Metro Atlanta are looking for help from state regulators; they want to know that their water interests are being considered,” said Cook. “The criteria outlined in the proposed rule should provide those assurances, but only if the rule requires that EPD consider the criteria.”

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GEFA Approves Environmental Infrastructure Projects Totaling $6.9 Million for Seven Georgia Communities

As part of Governor Sonny Perdue’s vision for sustainable economic development, the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) announced yesterday the approval of financing for seven environmental infrastructure projects totaling $6,9 million. The GEFA board of directors approved the commitments to help finance water and wastewater system infrastructure improvements for the Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority (HCWSA), and the cities of Commerce, Jasper, Marshallville, Poulan, Ringgold and Thomasville.

“Investment in our state’s water infrastructure stimulates the economy, promotes the stewardship of our natural resources and helps to meet Georgia’s future water needs,” said Governor Perdue. “The projects approved today will improve water system efficiency and will ensure clean and safe water.”

“The water programs administered by GEFA assist local governments with improving their environmental infrastructure,” said GEFA Executive Director Kevin Clark. “Financing water projects encourages economic growth and the stewardship of our environment.”

Clark expressed appreciation to Governor Perdue and to the members of the General Assembly for their support. He credited Governor Perdue’s commitment to helping Georgia cities and counties finance infrastructure development as one of the main contributors to GEFA’s success.

“GEFA financing for water infrastructure helps communities in all areas of the state,” said J.C. Warren, acting chairman of the GEFA board of directors and member of the Screven County Board of Commissioners. “The projects that we agreed to finance today demonstrate that GEFA is investing in communities that are willing to invest in themselves.”

GEFA helps communities prepare for economic growth and development through the provision of low-interest loans.

The Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) is a federal loan program administered by GEFA for water infrastructure projects. Eligible projects include public health-related water supply construction.

The Georgia Fund is a state-funded program administered by GEFA for water, wastewater and solid waste infrastructure projects. The program has maximum flexibility and accessibility, and offers fast loan and grant approvals. The Georgia Fund provides loans and grants to local governments for projects such as water and sewer lines, treatment plants, pumping stations, wells, water storage tanks and water meters. Low-interest loans from this program are available up to $3 million.

Below are details of the loans approved:

City of Commerce
The city of Commerce was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $575,000 to finance leak detection equipment, leak repairs and the replacement of old water meters. The city of Commerce will pay three percent interest on the one-year loan for $575,000. As a green project, 50 percent of the principal amount drawn will be forgiven. The 2010 DWSRF program guidelines direct the states to reserve 20 percent of the DWSRF funding for projects that address water or energy efficiency improvements or other environmentally-innovative activities.

Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority (HCWSA)

Henry County Water & Sewerage Authority was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $2,652,000 to finance water main construction. HCWSA will pay three percent interest on the 20-year loan for $2,652,000 with 30 percent of the principal amount drawn to be forgiven.

City of Jasper

The city of Jasper was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $700,000 to finance a new 500,000 gallon elevated water tank and the installation of a water line along a portion of Georgia Highway 515. The city of Jasper will pay 3.81 percent interest on the 20-year loan for $700,000. The balance of the project, $300,000, will be provided in the form of an Appalachian Regional Commission Grant from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

City of Marshallville

The city of Marshallville was approved for a Georgia Fund loan of $311,484 to finance a new water filtration system. The city of Marshallville will pay 3.81 percent interest on the 15-year loan for $311,484.

City of Poulan

The city of Poulan was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $400,000 to finance water main construction to improve flow and pressure in the city’s water system. The city of Poulan will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan for $400,000, with $107,337 in principal forgiveness.

City of Ringgold

The city of Ringgold was approved for a Georgia Fund Sewer Grant of $29,335.68 to finance construction of a sanitary sewer system that will serve 65 mobile home lots. The total project cost is $652,775, with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs providing $500,000 in a Community Development Block Grant (CBDG) and the city of Ringgold providing $123,439.32 in local funds.

City of Thomasville

The city of Thomasville was approved for a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan of $2,250,000 to finance purchasing and replacing water meters and a GIS asset and work management system. The city of Thomasville will pay three percent interest on a 15-year loan for $2,250,000 the total amount of the project. As a green project, 50 percent of the principal drawn will be forgiven. The 2010 DWSRF program guidelines direct the states to reserve 20 percent of the DWSRF funding for projects that address water or energy efficiency improvements or other environmentally-innovative activities.

Cities and counties interested in more information regarding GEFA loans should visit www.gefa.org or call (404) 584-1000.

About the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (www.gefa.org) 
The Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) provides energy, land and water resources resulting in an improved quality of life for today and future generations. GEFA is the lead agency for state energy programs and is home to the Center of Innovation for Energy; directs the Georgia Land Conservation Program and maintains state-owned fuel storage tanks; and offers financing for reservoir and water supply, water quality, storm water and solid waste infrastructure. Since 1985, GEFA has approved financial commitments totaling more than $3 billion to local governments, businesses and nonprofit organizations. For more information, visit www.gefa.org.