GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JUNE 2013 VOLUME XI TABLE OF CONTENTS Governor's Water Supply Program Received 11 Applications 1 Land Council Meeting Held in Hawkinsville 2 Light of the Sun Keeps Water Clean and Healthy 2 Water Infrastructure Funded Through GEFA 3 GEFA Welcomes New Staff to Water and Energy Divisions 4 GOVERNOR'S WATER SUPPLY PROGRAM RECEIVED 11 APPLICATIONS In January 2011, during the Georgia Chamber's Annual Eggs & Issues Breakfast, Gov. Nathan Deal stated that "Georgia can't wait on Washington," to secure its current and future water supply needs. For years, Georgia worked on water supply and conservation efforts, but additional resources are needed to ensure an adequate water supply for a growing population. The Governor's Water Supply Program (GWSP) is designed to align and mobilize state resources to assist local governments with developing new sources of water supply adequate to meet future water demand forecasts. During the second round of applications for the GWSP, as of April 30, 2013, GEFA received 11 applications from communities seeking $148 million in funding for water supply projects. The GWSP will have $65.25 million available for water supply projects during this round ($20.75 million in loans and $44.5 million in state direct investment). The application period opened in January 2013. The applications will be reviewed and scored on the basis of need, readiness, finances, regional cooperation and impact. GEFA plans to announce the second round of funding awards this summer. Local governments will be invited again to apply in the third round of GWSP applications, which is scheduled to begin January 2014. The GWSP awarded $90,490,866 in loans and $9,060,000 state direct investment for eight water supply projects during round one. For more information on the GWSP, visit www.GeorgiaWaterSupply.org. Hickory Log Creek Reservoir, Canton, Ga. Yahoola Creek Reservoir, Dahlonega, Ga. WWW.GEFA.ORG GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JUNE 2013 VOLUME XI 2 LAND COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN HAWKINSVILLE LIGHT OF THE SUN KEEPS WATER CLEAN AND HEALTHY The Georgia Land Conservation Council went on the road in June for its quarterly meeting. Dr. Johnny Bembry hosted fellow Land Council members, GEFA and other state agency staff at his farm in Hawkinsville, Ga. The Land Council conducted its meeting on the shores of Bembry Millpond an area protected by a conservation easement with significant agricultural and biological importance that was partially funded by the Georgia Land Conservation Program (GLCP). Land Council members viewed the property by both car and canoe during their visit. Representatives from the National Parks Conservation Association and Ocmulgee National Park and Preserve Initiative gave presentations on their efforts to Bembry Millpond, Hawkinsville, Ga. establish a large-scale conservation area along the Ocmulgee River between Macon and Hawkinsville. The project proposes to protect a permanent land link between federal lands (such as Bond Swamp and Ocmulgee Mounds) and state and local conservation areas (including Oaky Woods and Ocmulgee Wildlife Management Area). Lake Varner, an 850-acre drinking water reservoir completed in 1992, provides drinking water to Newton County residents, as well as recreational activities such as fishing. City Pond encompasses much of City Pond Park, which offers six-lighted baseball fields, an open park and two miles of walking trails. The pond also supplies drinking water and offers recreational activities for residents. GEFA provided $810,986 in financing to the Newton County board of commissioners to purchase and install solar-powered reservoir circulators called SolarBees in Lake Varner and City Pond. The circulators, produced by Medora Corporation, continually circulate water in the pond and lake to increase dissolved oxygen levels in an effort to prevent the growth of blue-green algae. Increased oxygen not only kills the algae, but it serves as a life source for fish, shellfish and plants. Newton County previously used chemicals to control the algae growth, but increased costs for the chemicals in recent years led county leaders to research new options for keeping the water supply safe. The pumps will save the county approximately $207,000 in chemical costs. The county will see a return on investment with the installed pumps in about four years. The SolarBee pumps are an important investment to the community, improving the water quality of Lake Varner and City Pond, safeguarding public health and protecting the ecosystem. GEFA staff reported progress made towards pursuing the GLCP's mission of "permanently protecting Georgia's most valued resources" by highlighting that the program has helped protect more than 323,000 acres through 600 projects. Additionally, the Land Council discussed expanding its communications and outreach efforts in concert with GEFA's Public Affairs staff. Related efforts will include working with the Georgia Legacy group to pursue potential legislative and funding revisions to the program, improving the program's marketing materials, and strengthening communications partnerships, especially among state legislators, local decision-makers, and non-government conservation organizations. For more information on the Georgia Land Conservation Program, visit www.glcp.georgia.gov. A SolarBee at work in Lake Varner, Newton County, Ga. Photo Courtesy of the Newton County Water System WWW.GEFA.ORG 3 GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JUNE 2013 VOLUME XI WATER INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDED THROUGH GEFA The GEFA board of directors approved funding for several projects this quarter, including new wastewater and water treatment facilities. These types of projects help local communities throughout Georgia improve their environmental infrastructure and water quality. Dallas was awarded an $18,500,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan, which will finance a new 1.5 million gallon per day wastewater treatment plant adjacent to the city's existing North Wastewater Treatment Plant. Upon completion, the city's existing facilities will be decommissioned and the new facility will treat all of the city's wastewater. Dallas will pay 1.40 percent interest on the 20year loan. The total project cost is $18,500,000 with GEFA providing the entire amount. Cornelia was awarded two loans: an $11,695,958 Georgia Fund loan, and a $2,113,355 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) loan. The Georgia Fund loan will finance a new water treatment plant. The DWSRF loan will finance a new clearwell and high-service pump station. The total project cost is $13,809,313 with GEFA providing the entire amount. The city will pay 1.40 percent interest on the 20-year Georgia Fund loan for $11,695,958, and 1.40 percent on the 20-year DWSRF loan for $2,113,355, which includes principal forgiveness up to $500,000 if all loan funds are drawn. Georgia Fund policy reduces the applicable interest rate to communities that have earned the WaterFirst designation from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs for excellence in water stewardship. Cornelia was awarded the WaterFirst designation in 2010. Richmond Hill, Ga., was awarded a $10,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan. The loan will finance phase two of a new 4 million gallon per day wastewater treatment facility and all related appurtenances. Richmond Hill will pay 1.40 percent interest on the 20-year loan, which includes principal forgiveness up to $500,000 if all loan funds are drawn. Phase one of this project was approved by the GEFA board on November 18, 2011, for $4,000,000. Water Reclamation Facility, Lula, Ga. WWW.GEFA.ORG GEFA NEWS QUARTERLY JUNE 2013 VOLUME XI GEFA WELCOMES NEW STAFF TO WATER AND ENERGY DIVISIONS GEFA welcomed two new staff members in May. Linda MacGregor joins the Water Resources Division as a senior program manager, and David Smith joins the Energy Resources Division as a senior program manager. Before coming to GEFA, Linda MacGregor served as chief of the Watershed Protection Branch at the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for eight years. During this time, she facilitated efforts for the comprehensive protection of watersheds, as well as modeling and monitoring the state's water resources. MacGregor led the $30 million investment in the first round of regional water planning from 2008 to 2011 to create regional water plans to meet water needs through 2050. She was also responsible for the issuance of the Water Quality Certification for the Savannah Harbor deepening project and management of recent drought and other environmental emergency responses. Prior to joining EPD, MacGregor worked for Brown and Caldwell and was president of McKenzie MacGregor Inc., gaining more than 20 years of consulting engineering experience in master planning, design and construction for municipal clients. In 1995, MacGregor was awarded the Georgia Bradley Gascoigne Medal by the Water Environmental Federation. She has a bachelor's degree in environmental and water resources engineering from Vanderbilt University. MacGregor will coordinate a range of water resource projects and help with implementing projects under the Governor's Water Supply Program. David Smith served as business development leader for Trane Company in both Georgia and Alabama, where he was responsible for customer relations and business development for the higher education market. Prior to this role, he was director of facilities operations for Georgia College and State University, and associate vice president of facilities management at the Medical College of Georgia. In those positions, Smith managed facility maintenance programs, building construction and renovation projects, energy consumption and budget operations. Smith has held leadership positions with Savannah River Site, in South Carolina, Augusta College, and James C. Smith and Associates. David Smith, Senior Program Manager, Energy Resources Division; Kevin Clark, Executive Director; Linda MacGregor, Senior Program Manager, Water Resources Division He has a master's degree in business administration from Augusta State University and a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from the Georgia Institute of Technology. Smith will lead the State Facilities Program including energy performance contracting and state agency technical assistance to achieve the Georgia Energy Challenge goal of 15 percent reduction in energy use across the state by 2020. 233 Peachtree Street NE Harris Tower, Suite 900 Atlanta, Georgia 30303 404-584-1000 (Main) 404-584-1069 (Fax) www.gefa.org If you wish to add or remove yourself from this newsletter distribution, please email publicaffairs@gefa.ga.gov 4 WWW.GEFA.ORG