Southern Company, Environmental Partners Award Eight Wetland Restoration Grants Through Five Star Program

/PRNewswire/ -- Southern Company (NYSE:SO) , the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, National Association of Counties and Wildlife Habitat Council today announced that eight new wetland, riparian and coastal conservation grants have been awarded in the Southeast through the Five Star Restoration Program.

This year, Southern Company provided $198,928 in grants and, combined with partner matching funds, a total of nearly $580,000 to restore more than 81 wetland acres and 12,500 feet of riparian buffer across 8 projects in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Mississippi. Since 2006, Southern Company has contributed $820,210 through 41 grants, which will result in an on-the-ground conservation impact of $2.7 million to restore more than 10,000 acres of wetlands and nearly 46,000 feet of riparian buffer in the Southeast.

"EPA's Five Star Restoration Grants support community-based projects, including environmental education and training to restore wetlands, streams and coasts," said Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Regional Administrator. "Over time, these grassroots efforts make a significant contribution to our environmental landscape and to the understanding of the importance of healthy aquatic ecosystems across the Southeast."

The Five Star Restoration Program is a national initiative providing financial and technical support to wetland, riparian and coastal habitat restoration projects. It brings together diverse partnerships of citizen groups, corporations, students, landowners, youth conservations corps, and local, state and federal government agencies to foster local natural resource stewardship through education, outreach and training activities. In 2006, Southern Company pledged $1.2 million over five years to fund community-based, wetland and streamside restoration across its four-state service territory. Additionally, Southern Company collaborates with the program partners to select the projects each year.

"Southern Company is committed to protecting and enhancing the wetlands in the Southern region through the Five Star Restoration program," said Chris Hobson, senior vice president of research and environmental affairs for Southern Company. "This is the fourth year of our five year corporate sponsorship and we're proud of the progress made thus far to promote healthy wetlands which provide critical habitats for many waterfowl, reptiles, mammals, fish, plants and more."

The following organizations in Georgia have been awarded Five Star grants in 2009:

-- Conasauga River Alliance - to restore 1.5 acres of the heavily silted
Colvard Spring, improving vital habitat for the Georgia-listed
Coldwater darter. The site will provide a potential safe-guard area
for Tennessee yellow-eyed grass, a federal endangered wetland plant of
the Limestone Ridge and Valley Province. The project will serve as a
demonstration workshop for county, landowner, and resource managers.
Partners include: Georgia Department of Natural Resources; Tennessee
Aquarium Aquatic Research Institute; Badger Farm Bed and Breakfast;
Murray County Public Works; and Limestone Valley RC&D Council.

-- Elachee Nature Science Center - to restore 30 acres of the floodplains
of the upper Walnut Creek Watershed by controlling Microstegium and
other invasive plants, and planting 5 acres of native plants
propagated from sources in the park which will provide important
wildlife habitat to the Georgia Piedmont. The project will educate
local students, teachers and the public about the impacts of exotic
invasive species and engage private citizens in controlling invasives
on their properties. Partners include: Gainesville/Hall County
Cooperative Weed Management; Chicopee Woods Area Park Commission;
Georgia Exotic Pest Plant; Hall County Master Gardeners; Smithgall
Woodland Garden; and Gainesville State College.

-- Georgia Plant Conservation Alliance - to restore 11.1 acres of
wetlands and riparian zones in northwest Georgia to help protect and
recover populations of three rare plant species: Tennessee
yellow-eyed grass, Georgia alder and Virginia spirea. This project
will also educate and engage students, teachers and the public through
training, participation, educational lesson plans and conservation
display gardens. Partners include: Atlanta Botanical Garden; Georgia
Department of Natural Resources; Georgia Power; Georgia Department of
Transportation; and USDA Forest Service.

-- Garden Hills Elementary School - to restore 300 feet of riparian
buffer along a small urban stream in Atlanta that can serve as an
outdoor classroom for students to learn about watersheds and wildlife
protection. This project will remove invasive plants and re-vegetate
with native plants. Interpretive educational signs will be posted at
the site for the community to explain the importance of native plants
to watersheds and wildlife. Partners include: Atlanta Public Schools;
Hands On Atlanta; Boy Scouts; Georgia Native Plant Society; Fernbank
Museum; and others.

The goal of EPA's Wetlands program is to motivate and inspire the Nation to value, protect and restore the ecological integrity of its wetlands and aquatic ecosystems. The Wetlands Program accomplishes this through co-leadership of the Clean Water Act's wetlands regulatory program, and by fostering effective wetlands management in strategic partnerships with states, tribes, local governments and other key partners. EPA's vision is for America to have abundant and healthy wetlands and aquatic ecosystems that sustain biologically diverse plant and animal life, improve water quality, protect communities from flooding and provide recreational opportunities.

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Gwinnett Restores Collins Hill Stream

A severely eroded stream adjacent to Collins Hill High School has been restored to protect water quality in the Upper Yellow River Watershed, improve aquatic habitat and keep erosion from washing out a nearby trail. The project location is also near Collins Hill Aquatic Center and Collins Hill Park

In a joint project, Gwinnett County’s Water Resources Department worked with Parks and Recreation and the Board of Education to restore the stream buffers. “This work has resulted in an ideal area for public access, nature study, and bird watching in addition to reducing turbidity and sediment in the stream,” said Pete Wright of the County’s Stormwater Management Utility.

Appalachian Environmental Services completed the work that supports several different permit requirements. Gwinnett commissioners approved a change order Tuesday that reduced the project cost by $71,511. The $1.2 million project was paid from stormwater utility and water/sewer fees.

Standing Water Increases Risk of Mosquitoes

Recent rainfall has prompted the Georgia Department of Human Resources (DHR) Division of Public Health (DPH) to remind residents about the importance of emptying standing water to minimize mosquito activity. The standing water that persists after downpours of rain provides additional places for mosquitoes to breed and may cause mosquito eggs to hatch that have laid dormant for months or even years. Several mosquito-borne viruses circulate in Georgia each year and are capable of causing disease in humans and other animals.

“By emptying standing water, Georgians are able to decrease the presence of mosquitoes and reduce their risk of contracting mosquito-borne illnesses,” said Dr. Sandra Elizabeth Ford, acting director of the Division of Public Health. “Even if residents do not believe mosquitoes are biting, we still encourage them to dump excess water.”

The most common mosquito-borne viruses that annually circulate in Georgia include Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), West Nile (WNV) and La Crosse viruses. Mosquito-borne viruses are most active from late spring to early fall in Georgia. Increased numbers of human cases are normally detected in August.

OTHER WAYS TO PREVENT MOSQUITO BITES:

Avoid outdoor activity at dawn and dusk when mosquitoes are most active. Dress appropriately when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active.

Use insect repellant with an EPA-approved active ingredient such as DEET, Picaridin or Oil of Lemon Eucalyptus. Always follow the directions on the package for safest and most effective use.
Please visit http://health.state.ga.us/epi/vbd/mosquito.asp for more information about mosquito-borne viruses in Georgia.
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Atlanta Mayor Franklin, Commissioner Hunter Attend Tri-State Water Hearing

Mayor Shirley Franklin and Commissioner Robert Hunter were in Jacksonville, Fla., yesterday to attend a four-hour hearing on challenges by Alabama and Florida over use of Chattahoochee River water. Judge Paul Magnuson, a U.S. District Court Judge in Minnesota who has presided over a number of water-related lawsuits, has said that he will not immediately rule on the issue, which has fed a decades-long “water war” between Georgia, Alabama and Florida.

During the hearing, attorneys for the State of Georgia argued that legislation creating Lake Lanier clearly envisioned the lake as a water resource for the Atlanta area.

“As Mayor of the City of Atlanta – a City that operates a water and sewer system that serves over 1.2 million Georgians – I believe the vast majority of Georgians, Floridians and Alabamans want a negotiated resolution that protects everyone’s interests rather than a court-imposed mandate with a winner-take-all mandate,” Mayor Franklin said. “Through its undertaking of the $4 billion Clean Water Atlanta Program, Atlanta has shown itself to be acutely conscious of the necessity for protecting the river. Our residents have taxed themselves to fund the infrastructure improvements that will ensure that protection.”

“Atlanta continues to demonstrate its commitment to effective water resource management by our massive investment in our drinking water and wastewater systems,” Commissioner Hunter noted. “ Effective leadership and proper stewardship of water resources is essential to the future of the entire Metro Atlanta region.”
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Fayette: Your Vote Needed to Help Students with Water Conservation Efforts

Gifted students at Fayetteville Intermediate are helping Fayette Countians conserve water, one flush at a time.

You might have seen them at the Home Depot in Fayetteville handing out the Flush Flow Fixer, an empty water bottle which recipients fill with water and place in the tank of their toilets. The bottle displaces the water each time the toilet is flushed, resulting in less water usage.

The students won a water conservation contest sponsored by Governor Sonny Perdue back in December 2007 and received $2,000 to implement the program. Almost two years later, the students are still working hard to get residents to conserve water and are going after another grant to keep their effort going.

Keep Atlanta Beautiful has selected them as one of four finalists in the “Stepping Lightly in Atlanta Awards Contest.” The contest is open to children in the metro Atlanta area who are taking steps to reduce their ecological footprints where it matters most: in their homes, schools and communities.

Now through May 15, you can cast your vote for Fayetteville Intermediate to help the students win the $1,000 grand prize. Simply go to www.wsbtv.com/goinggreengeorgia and watch a video to learn more about the Flush Flow Fixer and cast your vote.

“It looks like Fayette Intermediate is in the lead. The parents and friends of the school are really into this and are spreading the word and voting,” says Heidi Johnson, gifted teacher.

You can vote once every five minutes per IP address. For more information on the contest, visit www.keepatlantabeautiful.org.
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23 Georgia Communities and Water Authorities Surpass 10 Percent Water Use Reductions Since 2007

For the last two years, Georgia has endured severe drought conditions that have resulted in the implementation of the State Drought Management Plan and required local governments, businesses and residents to change their water use habits. The Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) continues to closely monitor water use across the state, but especially in the counties where a level IV drought response remains in effect. As part of the drought response, local governments and their associated water authorities were charged with reducing their water usage by 10 percent. Since November 2007, 23 communities achieved an overall 10 percent reduction in water use, and 16 achieved a reduction of 15 percent or more (see attached table). The Association County Commissioners of Georgia (ACCG) celebrates these efforts as part of County Government Week, May 3 – 9, 2009, which focuses this year on “Greening our Future.”

“Local governments and water authorities are a critical partner in our water conservation efforts,” said EPD Director Dr. Carol Couch. “They have achieved water savings in a number of ways, including outreach and education about outdoor water use schedules, maximizing system efficiency through monitoring, making repairs and improvements to infrastructure, and working directly with large water uses in their communities.”

Following the declaration of a level IV drought response in much of the state in September 2007, Governor Perdue directed EPD to modify water use permits to achieve a 10 percent reduction in water use for permit holders in the affected area. This requirement was implemented on November 1, 2007. Georgians met that goal during the winter of 2007-2008 when outdoor water use is minimal by conserving water indoors.

“While local water providers were responsible for achieving the targeted reduction in water use, this was no small task because it required the counties and their water providers to change the habits of those that used their water supplies,” said ACCG Executive Director Jerry Griffin. “I hope that these conservation habits will become the new ‘norm’, as it is more cost effective to generate water through more efficient use than through new the development of new infrastructure.”

As an example, Newton County Water and Sewage Authority was one of the water providers that surpassed the targeted 10 percent water use reduction by achieving a 24 percent overall reduction.

Mike Hopkins, Director of the Newton County Water and Sewage Authority, attributes these water use reductions to several proactive steps that were taken both internally and externally. According to Hopkins, the facility conducted a thorough assessment of its operations and eliminated leaks in its treatment and delivery systems which reduced its unaccounted water loss from 12 percent to 5 percent. They also implemented water conservation rates for customers and initiated a water conservation public education and outreach campaign.

“Water conservation here has been a community effort, and it is saving the county and its citizens money in the long run,” said Hopkins. “We are trying to meet the demands of our growing community with conservation and our existing infrastructure and supplies, thus delaying water supply expansion projects further into the future.”

Gary Howe, the Executive Director of the White County Water Authority agrees that encouraging conservation also has made a difference in his community. Howe credits the Authority’s customers for helping them achieve a 15 percent reduction in water use.

“We reached out to our two largest water customers, the Board of Education and a local poultry plant, and asked them to make some changes that would reduce their water use which they did,” said Howe. “Our homeowners also stepped up by reducing their water use.”

While 2009 has so far brought a more normal pattern of rainfall across much of the state, the drought level and associated water use restrictions will remain in place until it is determined that a relaxation of restrictions can take place without jeopardizing local water supplies. Georgians can learn more about the drought and water use schedules at www.georgiaepd.org. They can also find tips on outdoor water conservation and drought-tolerant planting at www.conservewatergeorgia.net.

“This drought has taught all important lessons,” said Griffin. “Water conservation and making more efficient use of our water supplies are critical to meeting our future needs. County government must continue to serve as leaders in this area.”

First celebrated in 1991, National County Government Week (NCGW) was created by the National Association of Counties (NACo) to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s 3,068 counties.
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Volatile weather month smacks Georgia

April hit Georgia with almost every weather punch, including floods, hail, high winds, tornadoes and even two earthquakes.

Except for a few isolated areas in far north-central counties, rainfall across the state was above normal. More than 10 inches of rain was observed by radar in southeast and south-central Georgia, with some isolated unofficial reports in the U.S. Department of Agriculture weekly crop bulletin listing over 20 inches.

The highest official monthly total from the National Weather Service was 7.30 inches in Alma (4.14 inches above normal). The lowest total was in Augusta at 4.33 inches (1.39 inches above normal).

Atlanta received 5.18 inches (1.56 inches above normal), Athens 4.47 inches (1.12 inches above normal), Columbus 6.53 inches (2.69 inches above normal), Macon inches 5.66 (2.52 inches above normal), Savannah 6.97 inches (3.65 inches above normal) and Brunswick 5.83 inches (3.03 above normal). Many daily records were set during the month at these stations, including 3.66 inches at Savannah on April 2.

The highest one-day total rainfall from the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network was 6.53 inches near Baxley on the morning of April 3. There were also one-day totals in excess of six inches at Woodbine with 6.25 inches on April 1 and Moultrie with 6.04 inches on April.

Rainfall and flooding closed schools near Tifton in south Georgia for two days early in the month. Major and near-record flooding occurred along several rivers in the area. Over 80 buildings were impacted by the flooding, including 62 owner-occupied homes and 20 rentals. Of these, 20 received minor damage, 44 had major damage, and 18 mobile homes were completely destroyed.

In Atlanta, the monthly average temperature was 60.7 degrees (.9 degree below normal), in Athens 61 degrees (.1 degree above normal), Columbus 62.8 degrees (1.4 degrees below normal), Macon 62.6 degrees (.1 degree below normal), Savannah 65 degrees (.3 degrees below normal), Brunswick 67.3 degrees (.9 degree above normal), Alma 64.4 degrees (2.3 degrees below normal) and Augusta 62 degrees (.4 degree below normal). A record low of 32 degrees for the date was tied in Columbus on April 8.

There were numerous severe weather events over the month, including over 30 preliminary reports of tornadoes. This is the most tornadoes in April in Georgia for a decade.

Hail or high winds were observed somewhere in the state on at least 10 days, including a report of hail covering the ground in Elberton on April 14. Golf-ball-sized hail was reported at Turner Field in Atlanta on April 23.

Tornadoes were reported April 5 in south Georgia, April 10 throughout the northern half of the state, April 13 in south Georgia, and near Atlanta and Columbus on April 19. One person was killed by a drought-stressed fallen tree near Buckhead in Atlanta on April 13, and more than 250,000 people were without power during the storms.

One person was reported injured in Hancock County on April 10. Two people were reported injured near Woodstock near the Cobb County and Cherokee County border on April 19. Lightning caused a number of building fires on April 24 in and around Atlanta and caused the temporary evacuation of the control tower at Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson airport, resulting in delays in arrivals and departures.

Because of the heavy rains this month, farmers had a difficult time working in the fields. Many fields of corn had to be replanted due to soggy conditions. High winds and hail damaged peach and pecan trees. Mild frost damaged grapes, strawberries and blueberries the week ending on April 13.

Two small earthquakes in Hancock and Baldwin counties on April 4 measured 3.1 and 2.2 on the Richter scale and were felt throughout the area. They could have been caused by shifting ground due to very wet soil.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

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Track Georgia's precipitation

University of Georgia professor Mark Eiteman’s morning ritual begins at 6:45 each day. He brushes his teeth, makes a fresh bowl of fruit, checks his rain gauge and reports the measurement on the Internet.

As an engineering professor with the UGA College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, collecting rain data isn’t part of his job. He volunteers to gather the information for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network, or CoCoRaHS.

“Official measuring stations across the state are sparse, and rainfall can vary quite a bit over short distances,” said Pam Knox, the state’s assistant climatologist and a CAES researcher. “With trained volunteers, CoCoRaHS helps fill these gaps and supply users with a better picture of rainfall patterns.”

The nonprofit national organization celebrated its first anniversary in Georgia on May 1, she said.

“Volunteering with the network is a great chance for weather enthusiasts and average citizens to be part of a project that collects vital rainfall data,” Knox said. “The data are readily available to the general public and other organizations. It is also critically important to understanding how rainfall varies around the state in times of limited water supply.”

At his Oconee County home, Eiteman records the level in his gauge every day, even when the gauge reads zero.

“As a researcher, I realize that zero measurements are important, too,” he said. “If you leave the recording blank for a day, you aren’t really helping record accurate data.”

Since joining the weather network, Eiteman has made several notable observations. For example, he watched his rain gauge reach the one-inch mark in just 14 minutes one day. He logged into the network that day to see how much rain neighboring counties received. The storm was very isolated.

“This was a prime example of how important zero measures are to data collection,” he said.
Eiteman’s children enjoyed seeing him log the snow that fell on his home in March.

The Georgia network has more than 400 volunteers but still needs more, Knox said, particularly in east-central Georgia near Augusta.

“We need volunteers all over Georgia,” she said. “We are better covered in Athens and in Tifton because of participation from UGA employees there.”

To participate, volunteers must purchase and use a specific rain gauge able to measure to one-hundredth of an inch. It costs $30 including shipping and handling, she said. The volunteers are trained to use an interactive Web site to post data.

The information is used by climatologists, hydrologists, water resource managers, UGA Cooperative Extension agents and experts with the National Weather Service. The CoCoRaHS program started in Colorado in 1998. The network now includes 42 states and more than 12,000 observers. It is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Science Foundation. To volunteer or to learn more, visit www.cocorahs.org, or e-mail Pam Knox at pknox@uga.edu.

By Sharon Dowdy
University of Georgia

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Georgia Water Coalition Applauds Governor, Legislators for Protecting Well Water

The Georgia Water Coalition (GWC) applauded Governor Perdue and state legislators today for passing and signing into law House Bill 552 (HB 552), a bill that extends the existing moratorium on injecting chemically treated water into the Floridan aquifer through 2014. The General Assembly had previously passed a five year moratorium twice on these types of injections to protect drinking water. The current moratorium would have sunset in 2009.

Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper Chandra Brown said, “As a coastal resident and mother, I am going to feel better about the security and health of our main water supply, the Floridan Aquifer, thanks to the work of the entire coastal delegation.”

During the legislative session, the GWC aired television commercials in Middle Georgia informing citizens about proposals to pump chemically treated sewage and river water into our groundwater. This practice, also known as aquifer storage and recovery, can contaminate vital drinking water sources for many Georgians.

Satilla Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers said, “Coastal Georgia is downstream from everyone in Georgia, and too often our rivers and streams suffer the consequences. We have been blessed with one of the finest sources for drinking water in the entire world, and I certainly appreciate that our legislature and our Governor have extended this necessary protection for another five years.”

Recently, injecting chemically treated sewage was proposed as an alternative to dispose of chemically treated sewage in Liberty County. Among the concerns are contamination by pharmaceuticals and personal care products, which are actively present in all treated sewage discharges. Earlier this year, the GWC released poll results from a survey conducted by The Schapiro Group showing that ensuring enough clean water continues to top Georgians’ environmental concerns. Of those surveyed, 73 percent supported extending a ban on injecting chemically treated water into aquifers.

“These issues are too often decided without the public knowing about them or getting involved” said April Ingle, Executive Director of the Georgia River Network. “The Georgia Water Coalition is changing that.”

The GWC is comprised of 174 groups, ranging from hunting and fishing groups, to religious organizations, environmental groups, and businesses, all working together to aggressively ensure enough clean water for current and future generations. The coalition is committed to continuing to raise the profile of clean water challenges and solutions available to our state’s leaders through an earned media campaign.

In response to HB 552, four local governments on the coast – the City of Savannah, Chatham County, City of Tybee, and Bryan County - passed resolutions supporting the ban on the practice because of their concerns about the damage that may be caused by injecting lower quality water into their high quality aquifer. The resolutions state that if injections were allowed, their drinking water supply could suffer negative consequences for coastal Georgia's economy and environment.

The National Research Council reported that a proposal to inject chemically treated water in South Florida aquifers posed significant risks to groundwater, including potentially increasing heavy metal concentrations, such as mercury. This report also found that the chemically treated surface water could contain bacteria and pathogens and contaminate groundwater. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers found levels of arsenic that exceeded safe drinking water levels in areas using the practice in South Florida.

“The Georgia Water Coalition is proud to vigorously defend clean water in Georgia and making sure citizens know about the importance of safeguarding water quality in Georgia’s communities,” said Dave Kyler, Executive Director of the Center for a Sustainable Coast, a member of the Georgia Water Coalition.

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Volatile spring weather whips Georgia crops

Torrential rains have flooded fields and freezing temperatures have shocked plants, turning spring into a roller-coaster weather ride for Georgia farmers.

Over the past month, areas in south Georgia have received as much as 18 inches of rain, coupled with cold fronts dropping spring temperatures to below freezing.

The cold, wet weather delayed or postponed the planting of this year’s watermelon crop. Only 60 percent to 70 percent has been planted, according to a Georgia Agricultural Statistics Service survey of University of Georgia Cooperative Extension agents last week. A quarter of what has been planted is in poor condition.

If the rain stops and things dry up, farmers around Cordele, Ga. -- the hub of Georgia watermelon production – should have plenty of melons in time for the mother of all watermelon holidays: the Fourth of July, said Tucker Price, UGA Extension agent in Crisp County. Farmers there will plant 3,000 acres.

“Rain has stopped everything in watermelons. You just can't get out there. Some fields had been planted before the rain came while others were in the middle of planting and others had just applied fertilizers and laid plastic (into which the crop is planted in fields),” he said.

Blueberry farmers have also dealt with the weather.

Farmers in south Georgia plant two types of blueberries: highbush and rabbiteye. Highbush accounts for as much as 10 percent of the 15,000 acres in the area. The freezing spring temperatures zapped about half of that crop, said Danny Stanaland, blueberry expert and UGA Extension agent in Bacon County.

Highbush were damaged, but the rabbiteye variety, which is the most planted, is on track to make an excellent crop due to good pollination. Last year, farmers produced 34 million pounds. This year, Stanaland said, they could produce 15 percent more. Blueberry harvest for early-maturing varieties will start in the next two weeks.

Aside from some pocketed hail damage and some minor cold injury, Georgia’s Vidalia Onion crop is looking good, said Reid Torrance, UGA Extension onion expert in Tattnall County, where more than half of that crop is planted.

“Onion maturity has slowed considerably in the past two weeks and farmers are afraid the crop is not going to size adequately,” he said. “I think the warmer weather this week will make the crop progress in a more normal fashion. We are a just a bit delayed regarding maturity. I think growers are antsy about getting more onions harvested to meet market demand, but they are not yet mature enough or big enough.”

Three-quarters of Georgia’s expected 350,000 acres of corn has been planted. Of that, a quarter is in poor to very poor condition, according to the GASS report.

“As you can imagine, it has been rough for corn producers. The cold, wet conditions have delayed planting and growth of that which has been planted,” said Dewey Lee, UGA Extension small grains specialist. “We have maybe two weeks of good planting window before we begin to see daily yield losses due to time.”

Due to the wet, cloudy weather, Lee said, wheat yields could be less this year. But most of the expected 340,000 acres is in OK condition.

According to the report, 86 percent of Georgia’s peaches are in good shape. The remainder is in poor condition.

The wet weather slowed land preparation for peanuts and cotton, which farmers will begin to plant next month. Farmers are expected to plant 500,000 acres of peanuts, or 28 percent less than last year due to the current large surplus. Cotton acreage is expected to be 940,000 acres, unchanged from last year.

By Brad Haire
University of Georgia

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March rain soaks Georgia’s drought

While temperatures were near normal for March in Georgia, rainfall was well above normal, according to data collected by the National Weather Service. Precipitation was below normal only along the state’s northern and southern borders and east-central area.

During the month, Atlanta received 7.13 inches (1.75 inch above normal), Athens 7.05 (2.06 inches above normal), Columbus 12.70 inches (6.95 inches above normal), Macon 7.78 inches (2.88 inches above normal), Savannah 2.84 inches (1.16 inches below normal), Alma 8.20 inches (3.40 inches above normal), Brunswick 3.61 inches (0.32 inches below normal) and Augusta 4.38 inches (0.23 inches below normal).

Georgia volunteer observers with the national Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network reported that the largest one-day rain amount was 7.15 inches on March 29 in Miller County in southwest Georgia. Other observers in the region reported 6 inches on that date in Albany and Tifton.

Observers reported snow early in the month as a low pressure area moved through southern Georgia, bringing wintry conditions to the northern part of the state. A band of snow fell along a line from Columbus to Toccoa with the heaviest amounts, over 8 inches, falling northeast of Athens.

Several temperature records were tied during the month. Athens tied a record high of 84 degrees Fahrenheit on March 9. Savannah tied its record of 26 F on March 4 and 5.

Most NWS stations reported mean temperatures a half of a degree above normal for the month. Macon reported the highest above-normal departure at 1 F. Alma reported the lowest below-normal departure at 1.6 F.

Severe weather hit the state several times in March. On March 15, a weak tornado was reported near Putnam in Marion County.

On March 26 and 27, scattered fallen trees, small hail and building damage occurred while a stationary front was located over central Georgia.

On March 28, widespread severe weather occurred in southern and central Georgia. Weak tornadoes were seen in Miller and Dooly counties, along with hail up to 1.25 inches in diameter and scattered wind damage. Heavy rains contributed to local flooding.

Due to the heavy rainfall across most of Georgia, drought levels in many parts of the state were reduced or eliminated. The exceptions to this reduction were the Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell watersheds and parts of southeastern Georgia, where rainfall in March was below normal.

By Pam Knox
University of Georgia

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Georgia drought free except Lanier, Hartwell basins

All of Georgia except the Lanier and Hartwell basins are now out of drought. Several days of heavy rain across the southern two-thirds of the state have alleviated the remaining drought conditions in south Georgia.

The Lake Lanier and Lake Hartwell basins remain in moderate drought. Lake Lanier is a major source of water for much of metropolitan Atlanta. On the Savannah River, Lakes Russell and Clarks Hill remain abnormally low for early April.

Soil moisture statewide is near normal for early April. In scattered areas across south Georgia, soil moisture is currently above normal.

Stream flows across the southern two-thirds of Georgia are well above normal. Daily record-high flows are being set on many rivers and creeks in southwest and south central Georgia. The National Weather Service is issuing flood warnings for many rivers in the state. Updated river stage information from the NWS is available at http://www.srh.noaa.gov/alr/index.shtml.

Drowning is a major cause of weather-related deaths in the U.S. Most of drowning deaths result from people driving vehicles into flooded roadways.

When a roadway is covered with water, it is virtually impossible to know the true depth of the water. It only takes a few inches of water to float a car and lead to disaster.

Additionally, when a road is covered with water it is very difficult to tell if the road has been washed away or the bridge has been undermined. The safest rule is if the road is covered with water, all drivers should “turn around, don’t drown,” as directed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's safety campaign.

Additional weather and climate information can be found at www.georgiaweather.net and www.georgiadrought.org.

Agricultural climatology information can be found at www.agroclimate.org.

Coastal climate information can be found at www.coastalclimate.org.

Daily rainfall data is at www.cocorahs.org.

U.S. Geological Survey data is at ga.water.usgs.gov.

By David Emory Stooksbury
University of Georgia

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Atlanta Dept. of Watershed Management Response to H.B. 406

On Tuesday the Senate Rules Committee passed onto the floor a special interest bill that works against the common interests of all Georgians. It undermines investment in drinking water projects, including new reservoirs. It does this by jeopardizing infrastructure revenue bonds for the entire state of Georgia.

"House Bill 406 turns upside down the progress Georgia has made in water resource planning. It allows special interest projects to bypass the tried and true processes for project permitting and service delivery," says DWM Commissioner Robert Hunter.

H.B. 406 is designed to allow a local pump-storage reservoir in South Fulton County to avoid state requirements that have been in place for decades. The reservoir would constitute a new water withdrawal from the Chattahoochee River. One consequence of the statewide legislation would be to fundamentally change the process to decide which utility provides services within any given area. This change would make Georgia law and regulation significantly different from that of other States and would also significantly increase the risk to Georgia revenue bonds. Published reports by bond rating agencies verify that the stability of service areas is an important rating factor for revenue bonds.

"The national bond market is very unstable at the moment and even more so in Georgia where we have seen water system revenues drop by as much as 20 percent due to the drought. This is absolutely the wrong time to increase the risk to our infrastructure bonds by increasing the uncertainty of service areas and the revenues needed to pay the bond debt," says Hunter.
H.B. 406 will not increase investment in drinking water infrastructure or reservoir development. "It will, in fact, harm future reservoir development," says Hunter.
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Georgia Citizens in Storm Affected Area Water Alert

Public Water and Wastewater Systems located in the potential impact area of Severe Weather
For Citizens in the Storm-Affected Areas:

The possibility of severe weather that includes heavy rains, large hail, gusty winds and isolated tornados threatens the majority of Georgia. Numerous portions of southwest and south-central Georgia have experienced heavy soaking rains over the past several days. This has caused minor to moderate flooding in numerous southwest Georgia counties. A large frontal system remains over the majority of Georgia. This front will sweep through Georgia tonight and the impact of these storms may cause problems with the supply of drinking water to citizens. The heavy rains have also overwhelmed several wastewater treatment plants causing them to by-pass water. The high winds or flooding may result in a loss of electrical power, flooding or damage to drinking water and wastewater facilities. A possible health hazard could then exist from the introduction of water of unknown quality into the water distribution system, storage tanks and sources of water supply.

If citizens experience a water supply outage or low water pressure, the Environmental Protection Division advises that all water be “boiled” prior to use for drinking, cooking, or preparing baby food in order to protect themselves from a potential health hazard. The water should be boiled for at least one minute after reaching a rolling boil, let it cool, and store it in clean containers with covers. Citizens should continue to boil their water before use until they are notified by their drinking water utility that the water system has been restored to full operation, and that the microbiological quality of the water in the distribution system is safe for human consumption. Unopened bottled water does not need to be boiled.

If boiling water is not feasible or bottled water is unavailable, then emergency disinfection of drinking water should be considered. Water disinfection procedures can be found on the United States Environmental Protection Agency website at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/faq/emerg.html. It is recommended that the instructions be printed and saved for use later if needed.

For additional information, please visit the Environmental Protection Division's website, www.gaepd.org. For specific questions please contact EPD's Drinking Water Program at 404-656-2750.
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New Water Policy Institute White Paper Offers Blueprint for Resolving Southeastern Water Wars

/PRNewswire/ -- The Water Policy Institute, a non-partisan consortium dedicated to developing innovative, sustainable solutions for water supply, quality and use issues, announces the release of a white paper that examines the water consumption issues driving many water disputes and provides a blueprint for resolution.

"Water Wars: Conflicts Over Shared Waters," the first white paper produced by the Institute, focuses on the long-running war over water among Georgia, Florida and Alabama in the wake of the Southeast drought and the challenges resulting from a growing water footprint and increased consumption, both in the U.S. and worldwide.

"The water war in the Southeastern U.S. serves as a microcosm of water disputes occurring in the U.S. and throughout the world," said Kathy Robb, founder and director of the Water Policy Institute, and a partner at the law firm Hunton & Williams LLP. "This dispute has been made much worse in recent years by growing demand for the limited amount of water available."

The Southeast dispute shares many similarities with water conflicts worldwide, including competition for drinking water in an area of growth and development; increased agricultural needs; endangered and imperiled species protection; navigation, hydropower, fishing and other commercial disputes; and conflict between upstream and downstream users.

"Water supply, quality, and use issues pose major challenges for governments at every level, both in the U.S. and globally," said former EPA Administrator and New Jersey Governor, Christine Todd Whitman, president of the Whitman Strategy Group and chair of the Water Policy Institute. "The Water Policy Institute will continue to publish white papers that examine timely subjects and offer new ideas and potential solutions."

The Institute's white paper provides a guide for looking at and resolving the issues at the core of the Georgia, Florida and Alabama dispute and, by extension, other water wars. Among its proposals: that states hold off on pending litigation while President Obama appoints a federal moderator to facilitate an interstate compact, and that various studies be completed to explore how conservation, reclamation and reuse tools can lead to greater water efficiency.

"Our aim was to explore the root causes of water disputes and provide a suggested path for their resolution," added Robb.

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