GEORGIA Adopt-A-Stream Volume 6, Number 4, July / August 1999 Michele Droszcz, Harold Harber and Edie Ringel, Editors Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division Municipal Storm Water Management Programs: What are they and how can Watershed and Monitoring Groups Get Involved At a recent Adopt-A-Stream coordinator meeting, Joe Krewer of the EPD Storm Water Unit discussed how AAS and the Municipal Storm Water Management Programs can work together to solve storm water pollution problems. The EPD storm water unit issues permits called Municipal Storm Sewer System (MS4) permits, requiring certain municipalities throughout the state to control the amount of pollutants discharged into the storm sewer systems that they own or operate. An MS4 permit also requires municipalities to implement and enforce local storm water management programs. These permits have been issued to 58 large (greater than 250,000 population) and medium (greater than 100,000 population) municipalities. The USEPA is expected to release final storm water regulations by October 29, 1999 which will require MS4 permits for many smaller municipalities and other storm water systems. These programs will include characterization of the storm sewer system and pollutants discharged to waters of the State, as well as implementation of educational programs, Best Management Practices, inspection and sampling procedures. AAS programs can assist EPD and the local governments in their storm water management efforts by increasing public involvement and public education about storm water and nonpoint source pollution issues. Volunteers can conduct storm drain stenciling activities and help to identify problem Atlanta City Workers, Volunteers Drains to ensure Cleaner Streams Mark areas, impacted streams and illicit discharges from storm water outfalls during watershed surveys and stream walks. Volunteers can also report dumping activities, sanitary sewer leaks, overflows and other problems to the local governments. For more information about how you can get involved, please contact the State AAS Program. Show Your Support! Show your commitment to Georgia's waterways by purchasing an Adopt-A-Stream 1998 conference T-shirt. They are available for $5. Make checks payable to Columbus State University Adopt-A-Stream Conference and send to Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, GA 30354. Be sure to include the address where you would like your shirt(s) to be sent. 1999 Erosion and Sediment Control Courses The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission and the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education are offering a course exploring the "Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control." The course is designed to help individuals learn about the impacts of development on Georgia's soil and water resources. It is open to anyone but is intended for individuals involved in land-disturbing activities such as plan design and engineering as well as inspection and enforcement at all levels of government. The course will cover interpretation of State Law as it relates to erosion and sediment control Best Management Practices. The course will be offered September 14 - 16 and November 30 - December 2. The cost is $120. For more information please contact Joyce Fleeman at 706-542-2101 or fleemanj@gactr.uga.edu. Rivers Alive! Georgia's 8th annual River Clean Up week will be held October 9 - 17. The event is sponsosred by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources along with "Help the Hooch" and "River Awareness." Last year over 3,600 River Clean Up volunteers collected 47,500 bags of trash along with 30 dump trucks of garbage and 12.5 tons of miscellaneous items. Help make this year's River Clean Up an even greater success by volunteering with a local river clean up group. If you are interested in volunteering contact Harold Harbert at 404-6751639. Are You A Friend of the Flint? Then you should attend the first organizational meeting addressing the need for a Flint River watershed group. The meeting will be held at the Flint River Outdoor Center, July 27 at 6:30 pm. To get there take Hwy. 36 West from the City of Thomaston. After the second bridge the Center will be on the left. Call 888-RIVER-GA for more information. Student Research Trip Down the Oconee Brings Encouraging Results This spring more than sixty students from Georgia College and State University took part in a unique river trip down the Oconee River. The group, led by Dr. Ken McGill a chemistry professor at GC&SU, tested the river for volatile organic compounds (VOC's). VOC's are carcinogenic pollutants such as pesticides and gasoline runoff that threaten the health Georgia's rivers. In total the group tested each mile of the Oconee for 21 different VOC's. The group used a makeshift floating laboratory to collect samples along the entire length of the river, which measures 230 miles from its headwaters in Athens to where it meets the Ocmulgee and forms the Altamaha. The trip, which began on January 14, took approximately three months to complete. Fortunately, the results of the test are encouraging. The students found that most VOC levels were quite low and well below federal standards. Dr. McGill plans to seek a grant to fund a similar trip down the Oconee in which students will be able to test for heavy metals and bacteria including coliforms. Georgia River Network The Georgia River Network has been formed to help protect and restore Georgia's waters. The statewide group has emerged to conduct policy research, help local citizens conserve Georgia's rivers, and promote public awareness of the issues that threaten Georgia's waterways. To learn more about the Georgia River Network contact Martin Kearns at 888-RIVERS-GA or garivernet@aol.com. CoastFest `99 CoastFest `99 will be held Saturday, October 2 in Brunswick, Georgia. The Festival is a celebration of Georgia's coastal resources and will offer a variety of family oriented environmental activities. This year's event will feature more than 45 environmental and educational organizations including live animals and interactive skits. For more information contact the Department of Natural Resources, Coastal Resources Division at 912-264-7218. Environmental Education Alliance: Fall Conference The Environmental Education Alliance of Georgia will be holding its 1999 Fall conference from September 17 - 19 at the University of Georgia, Athens. The Conference is entitled "Building Skills and Partnerships for the New Millennium" and will enable those interested in environmental education to learn more about the field. The conference will feature keynote speaker Dr. Eugene Odum, Professor Emeritus, Institute of Ecology, University of Georgia. For more information contact Richard Osorio, GA Project Learning Tree, at 770-416-7621 and ROSORIO@GFAGROW.ORG or Deron Davis, Dunwoody Nature Center, at 770-394-3322 and DERON@MINDSPRING.COM Natural Resources Conservation Service Offices Your local USDA/Natural Resources Conservation Resources Service Office can help your Adopt-AStream group. Local offices can provide aerial, soil and topgraphy maps. Also, NRCS representatives are available to help delineate your watershed and approximate watershed acreage. NRCS Area Offices In Georgia Americus Area Office 295 Morris Dr. Americus, GA 31709-9999 tel: 912-924-0042 fax: 912-924-0013 Area Conservationist - James P. Bradley Waycross Area Office Federal Building601 Tebeau St., Room 214 Waycross, GA 31502-0797 tel: 912-283-5598 fax: 912-283-8648 Area Conservationist - David A. Ferrell Athens Area Office Robert G. Stephens Federal Building, Stop 211 355 East Hancock Ave. Athens, GA 30601 tel: 706-546-2039 fax: 706-546-2253 Area Conservationist - E. Earl Brantley, Jr. Griffin Area Office Federal Building, 201 West Solomon St., Room G-27 Griffin, GA 30223-3019 tel: 770-227-1026 or 1027 fax: 770-227-1511 Area Conservationist - Carneth E. Goff, Jr. Adopt-A-Stream Calendar of Events The following are trainings and workshops which educate citizens about wetland and stream monitoring. In 1999 we are placing more emphasis on providing Train-The-Trainer workshops. Note that one day chemical and biological recertification workshops will be offered quarterly. If you are a trainer who will be conducting a workshop, tell us about it and we'll include it in the next newsletter. Please call early to register. Space is limited! What Level I / Chemical Workshop Level I / Chemical Workshop Biological Workshop Level I / Chemical Workshop Level I / Chemical Workshop Biological Workshop Level II / Chemical Workshop Biological Workshop Level I / Chemical Workshop Adopt-A-Wetland Level I / Chemical Biological Workshop Bio. & Chem. Recertification Wksp. Biological Wokshop When July 10 July 13 July 14 July 17 July 17 July 17 July 17 July 24 July 31 August 7 August 7 August 21 Sept. 11 Sept. 11 Where Flat Creek Nature Center Bainbridge Bainbridge (TBA) South Fulton Yellow River Water Reclamation Facility Davidson Arabia Preserve Augusta, Lock & Dan Park (TBA) South Fulton Forty Oaks Nature Preserve GWF Alcovy Site (TBA) North Fulton (TBA) North Fulton Athens Area (TBA) Fulton County To Register 404-675-1636 912-246-3642 912-246-3642 404-730-8006 404-675-1636 404-508-7604 706-828-2109 404-730-8006 404-508-7604 404-675-1636 404-730-8006 404-730-8006 404-675-1636 404-730-8006 Don't forget, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream requires that you must get recertified every year so that your data is QA/QC! Sign up for a workshop now! 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 printed on recycled paper