Adopt-a-stream, Vol. 11, no. 4 (July/Aug. 2004)

GEORGIA
Adopt-A-Stream

Volume 11, Number 4, July / August 2004 Harold Harbert and Kim Morris-Zarneke, Editors
Why Monitor?

Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division

A very interesting discussion about long-term

quick follow-up, these problems can be effectively

monitoring and its value recently appeared on the

addressed through the appropriate channels to

Volunteer Monitoring list serve. Here at Adopt-A-

remove the threat. Without the volunteer presence,

Stream, we have often emphasized that trend, or

those problems might go unnoticed and continue to

long-term, monitoring is the key to truly

impact our natural resources.

understanding what is happening in a waterbody. Well, what does that really mean? It means a few things.

Third, in areas that are being developed, landuse patterns and changes bring new problems and

First, long-term monitoring

exacerbate old ones. It is

is crucial to early detection

essential that we have both

of problems within a water

old and new data to spot

system. It is not unlike a

trends that may require

periodic physical or an

action. Recently, two

annual mammogram, in

Adopt-A-Stream Advisory

health-care terms. Long-

board members reaffirmed

term monitoring provides

this fact. After monitoring a

the volunteer with baseline

site in Cobb County for 5

information on water quality

years, they were able to

conditions. Once a baseline

is established, it becomes

Charlie Elliot Wildlife Center

demonstrate major impact

possible to detect problems

monitoring educators strike a pose! changes occurring in their creek,

early, before they become more

primarily erosion, sedimentation

significant and costly. As early detection

and increased nonpoint source pollution due to

of tumors via mammograms greatly increases the

development in the area.

overall survival rate and lowers overall cost and

Fourth, continued monitoring is needed to assess

recovery time in patients with breast cancer, so,

the effectiveness of various Best

too, does volunteer monitoring increase the

Management Practices as they are implemented.

likelihood of early detection of many potential

BMPs often cost quite a bit of money. Monitoring

threats to a water body, resulting in quicker

can help validate their effectiveness. Volunteers

recovery and overall lower costs.

can play a critical role in this process.

Second, volunteer monitoring programs are more likely to recognize changes in a water system more rapidly than most agencies and organizations, which have limited resources. Regular volunteers have the knowledge and physical presence to identify and document problems quickly. Volunteers can spot dumping, illicit water connections, leaking sewage lines, vegetation clearing, and invasive weed establishment. With

And finally, ongoing monitoring programs help to educate the public and to focus attention on environmental problems of current concern. No amount of activity is likely to be as effective in the long haul as current and historical data that are carefully, precisely and accurately collected and interpreted.

Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual Series
Under a cooperative agreement from EPA's Office of Wastewater Management and Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, the Center for Watershed Protection has just published three manuals of what will be a series of 11 manuals, which CWP has dubbed "Urban Subwatershed Restoration Manual Series". CWP states that the series is designed to provide a stronger foundation to assist local and state managers in crafting urban watershed restoration plans. The manuals were written to "organize the enormous amount of information needed to restore small urban watersheds into a format that can be easily accessed by watershed groups, municipal staff, environmental consultants and other users." Each manual is approximately 100 pages long, and some also include a CD with software to enable data collection and storage. The first three were published in March 2004 and can be downloaded for free from www.cwp.org for the next six months. Five additional manuals are scheduled for release later this summer and early fall, and the remaining three some time after that.
A New Historical Reference on Nation's Clean Water Programs
The Association of State and Interstate Water Pollution Control Administrators (ASIWPCA) has released a never-before-published historical reference on the Clean Water Act and State/Interstate efforts to control water pollution. Entitled Clean Water Act Thirty-Year Retrospective: History and Documents Related to the Federal Statute, this publication is an unprecedented collection of history and historical documents that are of use for those with an interest in the nation's clean water programs. To view the table of contents and for information on ordering go to www.asiwpca.org or call 202-898-0905.
Adopt-A-Stream Manuals in Spanish: Now Available Online
The Hispanic population in the US is now the largest minority group, surpassing African Americans in 2003. Georgia is no different from the rest of the country, with increases in Spanish speaking populations in rural areas and urban centers. Now all Georgia Adopt-A-Stream manuals have been translated into Spanish. For more information or to download a copy go to www.riversalive.com/aas.htm and click on Resources & Materials.
Summer Night's Float on the Chota Princess
Here's your chance to experience the wonders of the Chattahoochee River's headwaters on the Chota Princess,UCR's floating classroom. Once afloat on Lake Lanier, staff will provide a historical overview, discuss current environmental issues and highlight UCR's programs. Learn all this and more as you watch the setting sun and, if skies are clear, catch a glimpse of the moon! Light beverages and snacks will be provided. Tuesday, August 24th at 7:00 - 9:30pm. Members free, Non-members $10. For questions or to sign-up, contact bbolton@ucriverkeeper.org

Adopt-A-Stream Calendar of Events
The following workshops, taught by certified AAS trainers, provide training in visual, biological and chemical monitoring of streams. Teachers may receive 1 SDU credit for participating please go to the AAS website under Teacher Corner for more details. Please call to register for a workshop.

What
Chemical Biological Getting Started w/ AAS Chemical Chemical Getting Started w/ AAS Intro, Bio & Chem Chemical Biological Biological Chemical & Biological Chemical & Biological

Who
DeKalb AAS Etowah AAS Georgia Wildlife Federation Clayton AAS Georgia Wildlife Federation Etowah AAS Elachee Nature Center Etowah AAS Georgia Wildlife Federation Etowah AAS Fulton County AAS Cobb County AAS

When
Aug 28 Sept 11 Sept 11 Sept 25 Oct 2 Oct 16 Oct 22-23 Oct 23 Nov 6 Nov 6 TBA TBA

Where
DeKalb Co. Cherokee Co. Covington Clayton Co. Covington Cherokee Co. Gainesville Cherokee Co. Covington Cherokee Co. Fulton Co. Cobb Co.

To Register
404-371-2540 770-735-2778 770-787-7887 678-422-2838 770-787-7887 770-735-2778 770-535-1976 770-735-2778 770-787-7887 770-735-2778 404-730-8006 770-528-1480

NOTE: Workshop times vary. Please call to get exact times and locations. Workshop information is updated weekly on our website at www.riversalive.org/aas.htm
QA/QC Recertification: All QA/QC volunteers must renew certification on a yearly basis. This can be accomplished by participating in the second half of our regular chemical or biological workshop. To register, please contact one of our scheduled workshops.

Environmental Education Alliance Conference: Keys for Successful Partnership
Unicoi State Park, March 11 13, 2005 Consider sharing an experience you've had involving partnering to protect watersheds and water quality in Georgia. The call for proposals is posted on the website to download at www.eealliance.org. Deadline for submitting is September 22.

Watershed Leadership Train-the-Trainer Academy - September 28-30, 2004
Held at Callaway Gardens Resort Preserve, this workshop is designed to train individuals to work more effectively on land-use planning and protection initiatives. It is designed to enhance your leadership role in the area of watershed management, and assist you in working with communities on land use planning, TMDL implementation, and Phase II Stormwater requirements. The cost is $350 for nonprofit organizations and $450 for all others. For registration and agenda information call 886-902-7300 or go to www.southeastwaterforum.org

Septic Systems: Questions & Answers
Properly functioning septic systems treat and disperse small volumes of wastewater. However, all systems need regular inspection and maintenance. The EPA has a new website for homeowners, state and local government and for industry professionals. Get your septic systems questions answered at http://cfpub.epa.gov/owm/septic/home.cfm

Be A Trend Setter - Create The First Rain Garden In Your Neighborhood Go to the Adopt-A-Stream website www.riversalive.org/aas.htm, look under Resources & Materials and click on Rain Garden for more info and to download a new "how to" brochure for Georgia gardeners.

Rivers Alive Volunteers are needed to help clean Georgia's waterways!
Held throughout the month of October, Rivers Alive is organized by the Georgia Adopt-AStream Program and the Keep Georgia Beautiful Program in conjunction with Help The Hooch in Columbus. Rivers Alive is Georgia's annual volunteer waterway cleanup event that targets all waterways in the State including streams, rivers, lakes, beaches, and wetlands. The mission of Rivers Alive is to create awareness of and involvement in the preservation of Georgia's water resources. Last year, over 24,000 volunteers collected over 350,000 pounds of garbage and cleaned over 1,400 miles of waterways. Please join a cleanup event. Details on where cleanups are being held statewide can be found on the Rivers Alive Website www.riversalive.org. For more information about Rivers Alive check our website or contact Kim Morris-Zarneke, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream at 404-675-1636 or kimberly_morris-zarneke@dnr.state.ga.us.
EPD Imposes Mandatory Outdoor Water Restrictions
If you haven't already started implementing water restrictions, download the guidelines now and jumpstart your water conservation ethic! For more info go to the Georgia AAS website and look under Current Events.
The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Newsletter is published six times per year. For more information about the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program or to contribute to the newsletter, call or write to: Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Environmental Protection Division 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30354 (404) 675-1639 or 1636 www.riversalive.org/aas.htm
Printed on recycled paper