Georgia sound, Vol. 10, no. 1 (Jan. - Mar. 2004

T H E

G E O R G I A

C O A S T A L

M A N A G E M E N T

P R O G R A M

Georgia

JANUARY-MARCH , 2004

Sound

VOL.10, NO.1

GCMP and You

By: Jan Mackinnon Coastal Technical Assistant

Brown Bag Seminars Continue at DNR
In 2002, Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) staff initiated a monthly educational session to inform Coastal Resources Division (CRD) staff of research, planning, and other projects occurring within the coastal zone. Once an interest was established within CRD, the Brown Bag seminars were opened to other divisions and any and all folks interested in participating. The philosophy behind the seminars is to raise an awareness of activities occurring along coastal areas. In addition, the Brown Bag seminars give us the chance to hear updates on Coastal Incentive Grant projects that have been funded through the Coastal Management Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The seminars are strictly informational and aim to educate coastal managers and stakeholders.

Some of this past year's Brown Bag topics have included Coastal Water Quality, Interjurisdictional Fisheries, an update on the progress of the Coastal Marsh Hammocks Advisory Council (CMHAC), Sheepshead tagging project update, Shark Research in Georgia, Georgia's Recreational Creel Survey, Coastal Marshlands Crown Grants, Salinity Regimes in Georgia Estuaries, St. Simons Land Trust mission, River Modeling, Coastal Resources Division Webpage status report, Georgia Adopt-a-Stream Program, Water Quality pilot study using Enterococcus methods, and the impacts of recreational docks on saltmarshes on Wilmington Island.

The Brown Bag seminars will continue for as long as there is an interest. If you have any ideas for guest speakers, know of a topic that you would like to hear discussed, or if you would like to receive e-mails announcing upcoming Brown Bag seminars, please e-mail Jan Mackinnon at jan_mackinnon@dnr.state.ga.us or call (912) 262-3048.

Inside This Issue:
DNR Brown Bag Seminars The Coastal Monitoring Program

Short Strikes Greening the Summit The GCMP Performance Evaluation

Advisory Committee Recommends In-Depth Study of Redfish Stocking
Water Conservation in Georgia
Georgia Coastal Analysis Partnership

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Coastal Monitoring Program
The Georgia Coast, spanning approximately 90 linear miles, comprises a rich diversity of natural resources and unique environmental conditions. From the major freshwater rivers, to the dynamic tidal estuaries, to the vast Atlantic Ocean, coastal Georgia provides a vast array of habitat types within a relatively small coastline. This characteristic makes the Georgia coast appealing to both people and wildlife, and is the reason that it supports such a large resource base. While this coastal ecosystem is very complex, it is also fragile, and is subject to the influences of environmental and man-made impacts both locally and statewide. Proper management of the Georgia coast is critical to ensure that these unique and diverse resources are maintained for the future.

By: Brooks Good Coastal Technical Assistant
Water Quality Program

One of the most critical components of a productive coastal environment

is good water quality. Coastal Resources Division (CRD) provides enhanced water quality monitoring through implementation of the Comprehensive Coastal Monitoring Project. CRD staff monitor water, sediment, and biological tissue

CRD's Comprehensive Coastal Monitoring Project monitors water quality along the 90 linear miles of
Georgia's coastline.

quality for both non-point and point source contaminants in estuarine and near shore coastal waters. Four distinct monitoring

programs are administered by CRD staff to accomplish the goals of the comprehensive Coastal Monitoring Program. The two

programs concerned with public health are the Shellfish Sanitation and the Beach Monitoring Programs. The Nutrient Monitoring and

the National Coastal Assessment Programs are oriented more towards baseline information for monitoring trends.

Shellfish Sanitation Program

The expanse of marshlands, tidal creeks, and sound systems that makes up Georgia's coastline produce an abundance of shellfish for residents and tourists alike. Oysters and clams yield excellent table fare when managed and handled properly. CRD's Shellfish Sanitation Program monitors the quality of Georgia's shellfish waters for harmful bacteria that might affect the safety of shellfish for human consumers. There are nine harvest areas along the coast designated for recreational picking of oysters and clams by the general public. Additionally, there are 11 harvest areas designated for the commercial harvest of oysters and clams.

The Shellfish Sanitation Program is funded by the state of Georgia and consists of water quality monitoring, permitting shellfish harvesters, sanitary surveys, and reports to the Food and Drug Administration. The Program is administered under the authority of OCGA 27-4-190, which specifically details the law as it pertains to shellfish harvest.

The National Shellfish Sanitation Program requires that states show that shellfish harvest areas are "not subject to contamination from human and/or animal fecal matter in amounts that in the judgment of the State Shellfish Control Authority may present an actual or potential hazard to public health." National standards further require the state to regularly collect water samples from each approved harvest area and to perform certain analytical procedures to ensure that the area is below the established fecal coliform threshold. Waters approved for shellfish harvest must have a fecal coliform geometric mean that does not exceed the threshold set forth by the FDA.

Water Quality sampling occurs monthly at seventy-two (72) stations in five (5) counties on the coast including Chatham, Liberty, McIntosh, Glynn, and Camden counties. Sampling stations are located to provide good coverage of all the approved harvest areas along the coast.

Permitting is required for all leaseholders and pickers engaging in the commercial harvest of shellfish in the state of Georgia. Additionally, certification of shellfish seed suppliers is done by CRD to ensure that all product entering the state for mariculture purposes has been tested by a pathology laboratory for a variety of common shellfish diseases.

Clam farming has proven itself as a productive and environmentally sensitive fishery that thrives in the tidal
estuaries of coastal Georgia.

Semi-annual meetings are held for shellfish industry members to address concerns, needs, and accomplishments of the Georgia Shellfish Industry. Sanitary surveys are done every (12) years and provide a written evaluation of all environmental factors, including actual and potential pollution sources, which have a bearing on water quality in a shellfish growing area. Annual and triennial reports to the USFDA document the effective administration of the State's shellfish safety and sanitation program.

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Beach Monitoring Program
The Beach Monitoring Program was developed to protect swimmer health. Since 1999, CRD has monitored Georgia's popular swimming beaches on Tybee, St. Simons, Jekyll, and Sea Island for fecal coliform bacteria. With the passage of an amendment to the federal Clean Water Act known as the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health Act of 2000 (PL 106-284), the federal Clean Water Act includes significant new swimmer protection provisions. The BEACH Act requires states to adopt water quality criteria utilizing Enterococcus bacteria as the standard indicator for salt-water swimming beaches. The Act also requires states to develop procedures for notifying the swimming public when high levels of bacteria are found.

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In March 2004, CRD anticipates entering a new phase of beach monitoring and public notification based on EPA's recommended levels of Enterococcus bacteria for marine recreational waters. CRD has worked in partnership with

Since 1999, CRD has monitored Georgia's popular swimming beaches for fecal coliform bacteria.

local governments, the Jekyll Island Authority, and the Public Health Districts to develop procedures to notify the public about

exceedences in bacteria levels. Public advisory signage has been installed at beach access points on Jekyll, St. Simons, and Tybee

Islands. The Health Districts have prepared templates for press releases to issue health advisories in the event of high bacteria levels.

CRD has placed beach information on our web site at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us/ and has partnered with Earth911 to show current

beach conditions on their web site at http://georgia.earth911.org/usa/WaterQuality/default.asp?cluster=2 . Because the State still uses

fecal coliform as the bacteria standard, CRD will continue to monitor marine waters for the presence of fecal coliform bacteria as well

as for the enterococcus bacteria.

Nutrient Monitoring Program

The Nutrient Monitoring Program is an effort funded by the state of Georgia to assess the nutrient loads in our sounds and estuaries. High nutrient loads have been linked to outbreaks of harmful algal blooms in other states and can result in large kills of fish and other marine life as well as human sickness. Nutrient monitoring began on March 1, 2000 and is a continuous program designed to establish trends for nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, total dissolved phosphorus, ortho phosphate, and silicate. Nutrient samples are collected in three major coastal rivers (Ogeechee, Altamaha, and St. Marys) at six sites in each river. This sampling occurs monthly and provides data for the upper estuary, lower salinity environments. Moving seaward, nutrient samples are collected at 30 of the 72 shellfish sample sites. This provides nutrient and fecal coliform bacteria data for our tidal rivers and sounds. To capture nutrient data for our lower sounds, samples are collected at 24 sites in conjunction with the monthly shrimp and crab assessment. The Altamaha and Doboy Sounds, which are not routinely sampled on the shrimp and crab assessment, are sampled at twelve (12) stations in conjunction with Altamaha River sampling. Sample collection for nutrients occurs monthly at 84 stations on the coast and is creating a baseline dataset for nutrients in the coastal waters of Georgia.

National Coastal Assessment Program

The final coastal monitoring program administered by CRD is the most comprehensive. The National Coastal Assessment Program, formerly known as the National Environmental Monitoring and Assessment Program (EMAP), was created in 1988 by the U.S. EPA in cooperation with other federal agencies to provide basic answers relating to environmental problems impacting the Nation's ecological resources. Coastal Resources Division acquired funding from the EPA in 2000 to begin a five year pilot study in which 50 selected sites are sampled each year on the Georgia coast for a core suite of indicators including water quality parameters, sediment chemistry, sediment toxicity, benthic community composition, fish community composition, fish pathology, and contaminants in fish. These sample sites are randomly selected by EPA and the sampling occurs during the months of July and
August each year. This specific time frame, sample site design, and sampling protocol allows each state to view a comparable "snapshot" of environmental conditions. The purpose of this monitoring initiative is to establish a baseline of environmental conditions in estuaries of the coastal states as part of a national survey of estuarine environmental health. The first two-year report on this program is scheduled for completion during the spring of 2004.

Sediment samples are collected throughout coastal Georgia's tidal creeks, rivers, and sound systems. These samples are analyzed for a variety of contamiants.

Each separate program within the Coastal Monitoring Program has specific purposes and is designed to meet the needs of a changing coastal environment. The overall goal of these monitoring efforts is to enhance the ability of scientists, resource managers, and the citizens of coastal Georgia to make proper management decisions about coastal resource issues. For more information on Georgia's coastal water quality monitoring, contact Brooks Good at (912) 264-7218 or visit the CRD website at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us.

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Short Strikes

By: Spud Woodward Assistant Director for
Marine Fisheries

News from the Marine Fisheries Section

South Carolina and Georgia Team Up And Go For Aircraft Carrier
A joint application was submitted by the Georgia and South Carolina artificial reef programs to the Maritime Administration for the cleanup, acquisition, and deployment of the 910' carrier ORISKANY, offered, "free-of-charge" by the United States Navy. This ship had an illustrious history during both the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War. Senator John McCain served as a pilot aboard the U.S.S. ORISKANY at the time of his downing and capture. In order to minimize additional costs to modify the 150' high ship to meet navigational and diver safety concerns, the two state programs propose sinking the carrier almost 100 miles east of St. Catherines Island in 600' of water. This location is also one of several regional sites under consideration by the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council as a Marine Protected Area to help restore over fished deepwater grouper stocks. While bottom fishing would not be allowed on the sunken ship, anglers would be allowed to troll in the area for popular "blue water" species such as wahoo, dolphin, tunas, and billfish. South Carolina and Georgia are two of six states vying for the ORISKANY. For more information contact Henry Ansley, Artificial Reef Program Supervisor.
Boating Access Improvements Through Partnership
Using a combination of federal and state funds, CRD recently completed construction of a public boating service dock facility at the Turtle River boat ramps located on Blythe Island in Glynn County. The dock improves safety and enhances boat launching. The Wildlife Resources Division working with CRD replaced the deteriorated boat ramp at the Red Bird Creek boating and fishing facility at Fort McAllister in Bryan County. The Parks, Recreation, and Historic Sites Division is currently working with CRD for a planned replacement of the deteriorated Crooked River State Park boat ramp in Camden County. On the north end of the coast, Chatham County has partnered with CRD to add a boat ramp to the existing site on Lazaretto Creek. For more information about coastal boat ramp projects contact Shawn Jordan with the Recreational Fisheries Program.
Female Blue Crabs Targeted For Protection
The prolonged drought from 1998 to 2002 altered the normal ecology of coastal Georgia in many ways. Blue crabs were one of the species that declined due to many factors including disease, loss of habitat, and disruption of normal reproduction. While 2003 brought abundant rainfall back to Georgia, blue crab populations remained at record lows. Once a popular family activity, recreational crabbing with hand gear is rarely productive. Likewise, many commercial crabbers have experienced poor catches. Some have stopped fishing while a few are still able to make a profit due to higher prices and the fact that their traditional territories are still productive. However, many recreational and commercial interests have urged Coastal Resources Division to take action to speed the recovery of Georgia's blue crab population. In January, Commissioner Lonice Barrett signed an administrative order prohibiting the harvest of female blue crabs during March 2004. This measure is deemed to have the least negative impact on commercial and recreational interests and will compliment the existing ban on the harvest of egg-bearing female blue crabs. The goal is to increase egg and larvae production so that Georgia's blue crab population can more quickly return to pre-drought levels of abundance. For more information contact Doug Haymans with the Marine Fisheries Section.

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Susan Shipman

From the Director's Desk
SHIP TO SHORE... Coastal Resources Division Director

Greening the Summit

Over the past few months, Coastal Resources Division has been participating on the State G-8 Committee's Environmental Subcommittee. This subcommittee has been collaborating with G-8 organizers, various federal natural resources trustee agencies led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and environmental consultants expert in "greening" large events, to formulate recommendations for environmentally sensitive practices during the summit.

From green energy, to energy efficient transportation, to organic food purveyors, to water conservation, to waste stream reduction and recycling, to information technology, this subcommittee's focus has also been to advise Summit planners about the sensitive coastal natural environment, so as to minimize impacts of the preliminary activities leading up to the Summit. Coastal Resources Division (CRD) has coordinated closely with the various utilities enhancing telecommunications and electric capacity, issuing the necessary licenses for work on state property.

CRD and the Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) are collaborating with the Jekyll Island Authority, Sea Island Company, Georgia DOT, and Glynn County on landscaping improvements planned for the Jekyll and St. Simons causeways, and the Hwy 17 gateway connecting them. This work will involve not only installation of native plant material but also the selective removal of existing vegetation to enhance the scenic views of the surrounding marshes, hammocks and distant vistas. Based upon the site-specific area, vegetation will be entirely cleared by hand, selectively thinned, or left undisturbed. All pruning techniques will be conducted in a manner that is most beneficial to enhancing potential nesting and foraging habitat for specific birds. Earth disturbing activities will not occur during the pruning and clearing process and all work will be conducted in compliance with the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act.

Another interesting environmental planning activity has been the preparation with WRD and the U.S. EPA of a manual on the wildlife and habitat of coastal Georgia. This manual is an opportunity to showcase Georgia's vast saltmarshes, estuaries and beaches, and the extraordinary wildlife found in these habitats, to the world. The manual provides a response protocol should our distinguished visitors encounter a marine mammal or a nesting sea turtle. It also shares a few tips about coastal hazards such as inclement weather, tides, alligators, sand spurs, fire ants, and our bug of the month --- be it sand gnats, deer flies, green head flies, or mosquitoes.

In addition to this manual, CRD has been actively involved in a map project sponsored by the Coastal Regional Development Center and the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism. Three maps featuring the Georgia's coastal natural resources, historic sites and tourist destinations, and showcasing the area's economic development potential, are in preparation. Several of DNR's popular maps, charts, and GIS databases are the foundation for the environmental map.

June will be here before we know it, and in a few short days the G-8 will have come and gone, but not before the eyes of the world are trained on coastal Georgia. We are facing a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase our coast. We are optimistic that through many months of advance planning, the Sea Island Summit will leave superlative memories and a positive environmental legacy for present and future generations.

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The People Speak:

By: Fred Hay Coastal Technical Assistant Coastal Ark Coordinator

Results of the GCMP's Performance Evaluation

It is a peculiar mix of anxiety and expectation when one looks critically at their life's efforts and direction. Those feelings amplify when others are invited to weigh in on your evaluation. The risk involved is substantial if the desire to improve is genuine. What will we do with constructive criticism? Are we prepared to commit the time and energy necessary for real change?

Recognizing that evaluation is essential for program growth, as well as fulfilling grant obligations, the Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) recently engaged in an external evaluation process that involved many of you the Georgia Sound reader. For several months in the Fall of 2003, survey forms were compiled from on-line and standard mail respondents that included coastal Georgians, up-state residents and out-of-state folks who own property here or regularly visit our coast. Approximately 1400 surveys were mailed with a response rate of just over 10% or 160 surveys. A link to the on-line survey was posted on the Coastal Resources Division's website http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us and was active for two months. Forty visitors to the website chose to use the on-line version, bringing the total survey response to 200.

This article briefly describes the evaluation, characterizes the respondents and summarizes the comments received. For a complete summary of the responses as well as written comments, please go to http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us.
The Audience
Of the 200 responses received, 40% were elected officials or government staff from local, state or federal government agencies. Local government responses came from municipalities and county governments within the eleven county coastal area. Respondents identifying themselves as "Interested Citizens" made up nearly 23% of the total responses received. The remaining respondents included educators, members of non-profit organizations, business leaders and research scientists. The survey included optional demographic questions about gender, age and race. Based upon an 88% response rate, the typical respondent was between 40-60 years old (52%), male (68%) and Caucasian (82%).

Survey Questions
The GCMP passes at least 60% of its annual funding to coastal communities through the Coastal Incentive Grant Program. The survey sought to determine the level of satisfaction with the current spending ratio of 60/40. Seventyfive percent of those surveyed indicated their satisfaction. Written responses to this question fell within a spectrum that included both reducing and increasing administrative allocations. Other responses suggested how and to whom the 60% flow-through dollars should be allocated.

Federal Consistency is a legal authority granting the State of Georgia oversight of federally-funded projects in our coastal area. Satisfaction with the current implementation of this program component was the focus of survey question two. Eighty-three percent of those familiar with Federal Consistency were satisfied with current implementation. Awareness of this authority was revealed to be somewhat low, with nearly 30% of the respondents indicating "Unfamiliar" on the survey.

The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act and the Shore Protection Act are part of the GCMP and were the focus of a question in the survey. A satisfaction rate of 68% was reported while only 9% of the respondents indicated a lack of familiarity with this program component. Written responses to this question clearly demonstrated the divergent public opinion as well as the intensity of emotion associated with the current development pressures in coastal Georgia. Roughly half of the 40 written comments called for tougher restrictions on construction in marsh and shore environments. The remaining responses addressed the application process, both pro and con, or were calling for a loosening of restrictions.

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Activities related to permitting private recreational docks were addressed in one survey question. Seventy-six percent of the respondents indicated that they are satisfied with this aspect of the GCMP. It was obvious through the written comments that docks are an important issue to coastal Georgians. Nearly one-third of the written comments called for tightening the restriction on docks to the effect of limiting the number and/or size of new docks. Another onethird were directed at the application process. These comments were often conflicting with "process is fairly streamlined" being followed directly by "cumbersome policy." There were also a handful of comments regarding increased inspection and enforcement for permitted docks.
The GCMP provides technical assistance to local governments and other entities dealing with coastal resource management challenges. The survey indicated an 83% satisfaction rate with current technical assistance efforts geared specifically to local governments. The written comments for this question called for more assistance and encouraged better integration with other agencies that provide similar assistance.
The final survey question dealt with outreach and education efforts of the GCMP. Satisfaction level was 88% with several written comments calling for more programming opportunities. Several respondents admonished the GCMP to maintain a balanced approach to issues addressed through educational programming.
In summary, the survey yielded some valuable suggestions for program improvement as well as positive reinforcement for successful efforts. The written comments characterized the challenging arena in which coastal management occurs. There is a great deal of interest in balancing conservation and development in coastal Georgia. The Georgia Coastal Management Program was established in part to ascertain the desired balance and to foster efforts at achieving balance at local, regional and state levels.

# of Respondents

Summary of Survey Respondents

50 46
45

40

35

34

30

25 20

15

10

5

0 Municipal/County State/Federal Government Government

8
Natural Resource management professional

19 Educator

45

17 7

Interested Citizen

NonGovernmental Organization

Community Group

21 Other

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Advisory Committee Recommends

By: Spud Woodward Assistant Director for
Marine Fisheries

In-Depth Study of Redfish Stocking

Throughout the southeastern United States, the red drum, or redfish as some anglers call it, is one of the most sought-after saltwater game fish. A challenge for anglers who stalk them anywhere from a quiet backwater to the booming surf, the redfish has long been prized for its tenacious fight and fine qualities on the table. Regional redfish tournament trails, specialized tackle and lures, and a new generation of shallow-water boats all speak to the growing popularity of fishing for redfish.

The redfish is also a challenge for state and federal fishery managers. Although the species can live in excess of 40 years in Georgia, males don't mature until the fourth year of life and females until the fifth. Extremely cold winters, hurricanes and predators take their toll. So, the number of young that make it through the first couple of months can be highly variable from year to year.

Fishing for red fish is growing in popularity and anglers are concerned about possible future regulation changes. This 28" oversize red fish was a caught and released near
Ossabaw Island by 10 year-old Robert "Redfish" Moody .

The redfish's juvenile years are spent in the protected waters of estuaries, bays, and inlets areas that are increasingly accessible to anglers. These same areas are also increasingly affected by man's presence in the form of more pollution, more freshwater consumption, more careless land use more of many things that can degrade or destroy redfish habitat. In Georgia, the first redfish size and creel limits were implemented in 1986. Since then, there have been several changes as better science and population data became available. Each of these changes has been more limiting. However, while Georgia has a restrictive slot-size limit (14 to 23 inches), it has the most liberal creel limit (five fish) of any Atlantic Coast state. Many anglers believe that reductions in harvest will come with the next population assessment, which is tentatively scheduled for 2006.

Thus far, conventional fishery management tools like size and creel limits have been used successfully to moderate the harvest of both immature and adult redfish. However, anglers and fishery managers alike are concerned that as fishing pressure increases and other human impacts take their toll, one- and two-fish limits, as well as seasonal closures are inevitable throughout the species' range. So, many Georgia anglers have asked if hatchery-reared redfish are a viable management option.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources first investigated the feasibility of stocking redfish in 1990. At that time, most of the limited research into this topic had been done in the Gulf of Mexico. While much was learned about spawning and rearing reds in captivity, little had been learned about the fate of those fish released into the wild. Even less was known about the potential for redfish stocking in Atlantic Coast estuaries. The biologists who conducted the feasibility investigation recommended protecting Georgia's native populations and their habitats, not diverting limited fiscal and human resources to unproven redfish stocking.

Now at the beginning of the 21st century, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, in partnership with several private companies and the Coastal Conservation Association, annually releases millions of redfish fingerlings into Texas bays. There is still debate as to whether these stocked fish are responsible for the high abundance of redfish in Texas bays since commercial harvest closures and recreational regulations have also influenced populations of native redfish. However, many Texas anglers believe the proof is in the catching and wholeheartedly support redfish stocking.

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Project Tampa Bay is a partnership between the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the Mote Marine Institute, and the Coastal Conservation Association Florida. A multidisciplinary team of scientists will determine if stocking can increase angler catches in an ecologically responsible and cost-effective manner. Currently, Florida anglers are allowed to keep one redfish between 18 and 27 inches each day. Many anglers would like to be able to keep two fish. The initial results of Project Tampa Bay are promising but it will be a few years before there is a definitive answer.

Closer to home, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) has spent more than 14 years conducting experimental redfish stockings in selected estuaries. This research suggests that stocking 1-inch fingerlings can increase redfish abundance on a local basis. Hatchery-reared fish grow like their wild kin and exhibit the same habitat preferences and behavior patterns. Perhaps most importantly, the stocked redfish don't appear to displace or compete with native redfish. In 2003, almost 2 million redfish fingerlings were stocked in South Carolina tidal waters.

Back in Georgia, anglers have read the fishing magazine articles, talked in the Internet chat rooms, and watched the shows on ESPN and The Outdoor Channel excitement about redfish stocking continues to build. Many believe it is time for Georgia to stock redfish. Responding to this interest, the Coastal Resources Division formed the Red Drum Stock Enhancement Subcommittee of the Saltwater Advisory Council in the spring of 2002. This diverse group has met several times and has visited redfish hatchery facilities in Florida and South Carolina.

During the past 18 months and after much discussion and some enthusiastic debate, this advisory group has formed an opinion that redfish stocking has promise, but information specific to Georgia is needed. Responding to this recommendation, CRD staff developed a five-year pilot project that will provide the answers that scientists, anglers, fishery policymakers, and leadership of state government need to make an informed decision.

In this project, redfish fingerlings will be stocked in a Georgia estuary for two years. However, the scope of the project will be more complex, including a genetic inventory of Georgia's native redfish population, measurements of stocked-fish survival, and assessments of angler satisfaction and economic impact. Both the Red Drum Stock Enhancement Subcommittee and the Saltwater Advisory Council have endorsed the pilot project.

As with most fishery management initiatives, success will depend on partnerships. The SCDNR and United States Fish and Wildlife Service's Bears Bluff Hatchery have facilities suitable for hatching and rearing redfish located just a few hours from the Georgia coast. The Wildlife Resources Division of Georgia DNR has tank trucks and expertise in transporting fish over great distances. The University System of Georgia has scientists and students who can do the technical work necessary to fully evaluate the experimental stockings. Finally, anglers themselves will help by returning fin clips for genetic analysis and redfish carcasses for biological data collection. They can also help by participating in creel and other surveys.

Obviously it will take additional fiscal and human resources to make this project a reality. The Coastal Conservation Association Georgia, an advocacy group representing more than 1,300 anglers, has made redfish stocking one of its organizational priorities. Executive Director Willie Olliff commented, "Many of our members believe that redfish stocking is the way to go in Georgia. However, they also realize that it must be done in a responsible manner. That is why we support this pilot project and will work to see that the Coastal Resources Division gets the funding it needs."

These one inch long red fish fingerlings are ready for release in Tampa Bay after 30 days in hatching ponds.
Photo Courtesy of Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission

The Red Drum Stock Enhancement Subcommittee will continue to meet and discuss the many issues and questions surrounding redfish stocking. Informational meetings to gauge public opinion about redfish stocking will be held later in 2004. For more information contact Spud Woodward at (912) 2647218 or via email at spud_woodward@dnr.state.ga.us.

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Water Conservation in Georgia~

By: Mary Elfner DNR Water Conservation
Coordinator

Bringing Efficiency into Mainstream Thinking

Water is being conserved in Georgia. From residents who have retrofitted their homes to industries that have updated manufacturing processes, many people in Georgia are acting upon the need to conserve water. There is still much room, however, for leadership and growth regarding this vital natural resource. We must strengthen water use accounting procedures at the state level and set goals regarding water use efficiency that have the buy-in of state and local leadership.

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Environmental Protection Division (EPD) requires water conservation plans. This process is key to showing efficiency results. Water conservation on the coast is crucial to protect the Floridan Aquifer from saltwater intrusion, and in the Southwest portion of the State to protect the Flint River system.

One of the main goals of the DNR's Water Conservation Program is to implement a statewide water conservation plan. This article will discuss many topics particularly planning, policy, and future direction.
The Georgia DNR Water Conservation Program
There are many reasons why we should conserve water in Georgia: One of the fastest growing populations in the nation, limited sources of water, maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems, tri-state water negotiations, saltwater intrusion, the expense to build and maintain water infrastructure, quality of life, and it's called for in the Official Code of Georgia (OCGA): OCGA 12-531 (Georgia Water Quality Control Act), 12-5-96 (Groundwater Use Act), OCGA 12-5-474(c) (Georgia Water Supply Act).

The mission of the Georgia Water Conservation Program is to promote the efficient use of Georgia's water resources throughout the state. This will be accomplished by coordinating existing water conservation efforts; implementing new programs as needed; strengthening existing regulatory programs; working with local governments regarding required water conservation planning; building the financial resources that are necessary to implement the program; and documenting that water use in Georgia is becoming more efficient. The program follows a five-point strategy that includes planning, programming, policy needs, funding needs and education.
The Georgia DNR Water Conservation Plan
The Georgia DNR Water Conservation Plan is in draft form as of the writing of this article. The comment period ended January 31, 2004, and we expect to make significant revisions given the amount of input we have already received. The draft water conservation plan can be viewed online and comments can be added at: www.georgiaplanning.com/environ/ waterconservation/default.htm.

The purpose of this plan is to be the statewide authority of water conservation planning and programming in Georgia and to set goals regarding water use efficiency. The main strategy we establish in this statewide water conservation plan is to define and benchmark efficient and non-efficient use. The uniqueness of this plan is that it sets standards, or benchmarks of water efficiency, and of potential water use in the State.

Financing Water Conservation in Georgia

There are many ways we can build and support water conservation programming and education in Georgia. Partnerships

are key for building support and creating results regarding existing and future programs. But for a Georgia Water Conservation

Program to be strong and to have results regarding water use efficiency in Georgia, we must find long-term, permanent funding

sources. These types of funding include state appropriations, permit fees and trust funds. Other funding pathways include

federal grants, and securing low interest loans to local governments and utilities from the Georgia Environmental Facilities

Authority (GEFA, see www.gefa.org ). At this time of financial constraint, we are looking for creative solutions to funding water

conservation work in Georgia.

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The EPD Water Conservation Planning Process
Water conservation plans are a vital aspect of the water permitting process. Due to the drought of 1986 to 1988, both the General Assembly, through passage of Senate Bill 10, and the Board of Natural Resources of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, through adopting new rules and regulations in December of 1994, investigated methods of encouraging water conservation in the State. This investigation lead to the passing of Georgia statutes and department rules and regulations requiring ground, surface, and drinking water permit holders to create and submit water conservation plans for state review as part of the permitting process. The statutes were effective immediately. The rules, promulgated under Senate Bill 10, were implemented beginning in 1995.

In subsequent years, the Georgia EPD Water Resources Management Branch (WRMB) started enforcing these rules, requiring permit holders to submit conservation plans at permit application, renewal, and modification. We are currently in the process of strengthening this state requirement.
Saltwater Intrusion on the Coast
Saltwater intrusion on the coast of Georgia has been known to occur since the 1950's. There are two areas of our coast that are affected or have the potential of being affected by saltwater intrusion: Brunswick, Georgia, and Beaufort-Hilton Head Island, South Carolina.

Saltwater contamination at Brunswick is the result of upward intrusion of saline water from the lower part of the Fernandina permeable zone into freshwater zones of the Lower Floridan, then Upper Floridan aquifers. Saltwater contamination along the northern part of Hilton Head Island probably is a result of lateral encroachment of seawater, combined with some downward vertical leakage of seawater where the Upper Floridan aquifer is exposed or nearly exposed (U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), http://ga2.er.usgs.gov/coastal/contaminationga.cfm).

In April of 1997, the Georgia EPD put forth the Interim Strategy for Managing Saltwater Intrusion in the Upper Floridan Aquifer of Southeast Georgia, the objective of which is to stop the intrusion of salt water before municipal water supply wells on Hilton Head Island, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia are contaminated, and to prevent an existing salt-water problem at Brunswick, Georgia from worsening.

Water conservation in the coastal area, particularly in Savannah and Chatham County has been helping the EPD to reach their goal. For more information on the Savannah water conservation program, see http://www.ci.savannah.ga.us/cityweb/ webdatabase.nsf.
Future Direction of Water Conservation in Georgia
Water conservation and efficiency of use will only continue to grow more important in Georgia. We must seek effective long-term solutions that are supported by state leadership and the citizenry, and by solid funding sources. As we continue to move forward with comprehensive water planning in Georgia, water conservation must have a high-profile seat at the table, be supported by proper resources, and be enabled to provide the necessary leadership that will let us truly become more efficient in our water use. The DNR Water Conservation Plan and the current EPD water conservation planning process provide the authority to do so.

It is up to state leadership and the citizens of Georgia to understand and act upon the concept of "efficiency first," which tells us that: 1) water conservation is cost effective by allowing us to delay or avoid expensive water supply and wastewater treatment capital projects; 2) water conservation helps to preserve one of our fundamental natural resources through ecosystem protection, safeguarding current quality of life and providing for future generations; 3) water conservation minimizes the effects of drought; and 4) water conservation techniques are available for all water-use sectors in Georgia for residents, municipalities, local governments, farmers, business and industry, and government entities.

We must look to other states and communities for how they are addressing their water supply challenges, and we must look to ourselves for setting goals, finding the resources and the will to change our mindsets and habits so that we can conserve water.

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VOL.10, NO.1

Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Resources Division One Conservation Way, Suite 300 Brunswick, GA 31520-8687

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Georgia Coastal Analysis Partnership (GCAP)
In July, 2001, Coastal Resources Division (CRD) partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop an initial inventory of sampling activities in the region. This partnership, known as the Georgia Coastal Analysis Partnership (GCAP), is a pilot effort to examine the influence of land-sea interactions on environmental conditions of the South Atlantic Bight. Sample sites included in this inventory are spatially distributed from the small tidal tributaries out to the continental shelf. The Coastal Monitoring Program contributed data from over 190 sites that are monitored on a routine basis each year. In addition to CRD, the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary, and Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve have all contributed data towards developing this comprehensive "Rivers to Reefs" database. For more information on the sample site locations, types of data collected, and contacts for each site, please visit www.chbr.noaa.gov/gcap/.

The Georgia Sound is produced quarterly by the Georgia Coastal Management Program. If you would like more information on the
Georgia Coastal Management Program, visit our web site at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us
or contact Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218.
Layout & Design by: Lea King For address corrections or to be added or deleted from the mailing list,
please contact Lea King at (912) 264-7218.
Lea_King@dnr.state.ga.us

Contributors to this issue: Nancy Butler, Mary Elfner, Brooks Good, Fred Hay, Jan Mackinnon, Susan Shipman, and Spud Woodward, This publication is made possible through efforts by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Deadline for the Spring 2004 edition is March 1, 2004. We welcome suggestions
of articles and photography.