Georgia sound, Vol. 17, no. 1 (Winter 2011

Winter 2011

Vol.17, No.1

Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership:

A Partnership With A Plan

The aquatic resources in the Southeastern United States are some of the most significant and

biologically diverse aquatic resources on earth. Recognizing the Southeast's unique biodiversity,

looming threats to its aquatic species and their habitats, and the limited availability of resources to

effectively address these challenges, State and Federal agencies and organizations with management

authority for fisheries and aquatic resources in the Southeast joined forces to form the ground-

breaking Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (SARP). In 2004, 21 agencies and organizations

from 14 southeastern states, including the

GA Department of Natural Resources, US

Fish and Wildlife Service, and NOAA's

National Marine Fisheries Service pledged

to work together to strengthen their ability

to benefit freshwater, coastal and marine

aquatic resources in the region, signing the

original Memorandum of Understanding, which formalized the establishment of

Gould's Inlet

SARP. Since then, SARP's successful

partnership has grown to include many

non-governmental agencies, such as The

Nature Conservancy, World Wildlife Fund,

Southeast Watershed Forum and more,

private industry partners, as well as Federal

partners, like the U.S. Environmental

Protection Agency, USGS, and others, who

have also voluntarily come together around the shared purpose of jointly taking responsibility for the

management of aquatic resources in the southeast that were and remain in crisis, a job that no single

entity alone could accomplish.

Together, SARP, with its partners continues to find new, innovative ways to pursue its mission of "protecting, conserving, and restoring aquatic resources including habitats throughout the Southeast, for the continuing benefit, use, and enjoyment of the American people." Today, SARP is nationally-recognized, as one of the first groups designated as an official "Fish Habitat Partnership" by the National Fish Habitat Board, and is implementing the goals of the National Fish Habitat Action Plan in the southeast region in some of the most ecologically and economically significant watersheds in the country. Regionally, SARP conducts science-based habitat assessments

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that help collectively to identify regional conservation priorities. SARP's reach includes 14 southeastern states (AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, KY, MO, MS, OK, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA). Locally, SARP works to facilitate community-driven projects, promoting citizen action and opportunities for individuals to make a difference. SARP's work addresses a number of issue areas, such as public use, fisheries mitigation, imperiled fish and aquatic species recovery, interjurisdictional fisheries, aquatic habitat conservation, and aquatic nuisance species.

The Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan Guides Partner Projects
The Southeast Aquatic Habitat Plan (SAHP) is central to all of SARP's work, which is focused on high quality science and assessments and restoration of habitat throughout the region. Created by a panel of SARP partners in 2008, the SAHP guides the partners' projects to conserve southeastern aquatic habitats. Partners use SAHP objectives to improve, establish, or maintain riparian zones, water quality, watershed connectivity, sediment flow, bottoms and shorelines, coastal, estuarine and marine zones as well as to control hydrologic conditions and invasive or problem species. On a larger scale, this plan helps SARP identify the highest regional priority aquatic habitat needs and effective strategies to facilitate action for aquatic conservation, management and restoration.

Georgia has tremendous species diversity, a fact that is both ecologically and economically significant

SARP's Programs and Accomplishments:

Partnership with NOAA Restoration Center In 2007,

Ossabaw Island Marsh

NOAA Community Restoration Program (CRP) and SARP formed a long term partnership to

fund, implement and monitor restoration projects benefitting marine and anadromous fish habitat

in the nine southeastern states that border the Gulf of Mexico and the south Atlantic. Through

this program, SARP has provided about $700,000 in support of 14 on-the-ground restoration

projects in six states.

Partnership with NFHAP/USFWS In 2007, SARP initiated the Aquatic Habitat Restoration Program with funding provided by NFHAP and the USFWS. Through this program, SARP has provided about $2 million in support of 32 on-the-ground restoration projects in 13 states.

The Southern Instream Flow Network As a consequence of the widespread impacts of increased water withdrawals and usage in the region, SARP identified implementation of protective instream flow policies as a priority strategy in the SAHP and formed the Southern Instream Flow Network (SIFN) in 2009 to address impacts to natural flow regimes in the region's aquatic ecosystems. SIFN is conducting a data sprint to collect and aggregate flow data from around the region.

Photo: Jim Couch

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Science & Data Committee SARP's Science & Data Committee continues to make significant progress in its work to address eight key objectives in the SAHP, including riparian area assessments, as well as developing an overall strategy and targeted next steps for addressing the water quality, sediment, connectivity and hydrologic alteration assessments.

SARP's Conservation Actions In Georgia
Georgia DNR is a founding member of SARP. With more than 16,000 miles of streams and a varied aquatic landscape that includes cool mountain streams, coastal plain rivers, and beautiful stretches of coast, Georgia has tremendous species diversity, a fact that is both ecologically and economically significant. SARP works directly with GA DNR staff, and both the Coastal Resources Division and the Wildlife Resources Division have a seat on the SARP Steering Committee. Gabe Gaddis is the SARP Steering Committee representative for the Coastal Resources Division.

Volunteers bagging oysters for the living shoreline project on Sapelo Island.

Over the years, SARP has sponsored several Georgiabased projects, including: restoration of a spawning site on the Ogeechee River, a habitat enhancement project on the Oconee River, improvement of connectivity at Troup Spring, the development of an Altamaha River Conservation Action Plan, community control of aquatic nuisance species in Altamaha Regional Park, and an oyster restoration project in McIntosh County. For more information about SARPsupported projects in Georgia, go to: http://www.southeastaquatics.net/states/GA

Enhanced robust redhorse spawning area on Ogeechee River near Rocky Ford, GA

SARP is staffed by a core group of personnel who are dedicated to SARP's vision and who work directly with key representatives from SARP's partner agencies and organizations to accomplish its projects and goals. SARP is funded through a variety of state, federal, and private grant and foundation sources.

To learn more about SARP and its programs and other resources, visit SARP's website at www.southeastaquatics.net or contact SARP Coordinator, Scott Robinson at 770-361-5639 or scottr@southeastaquatics.net

www.CoastalGaDNR.org

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Brantley County Adopts Ordinances to Protect Natural Resources
By Jennifer Kline, Coastal Resources Specialist

One of Georgia Coastal Management Program's five inland

counties, Brantley County, is home to a 97 mile stretch of the

Satilla River that winds its way through the lowlands and forests

of the lower coastal plain of southeast Georgia. The Satilla River,

is a "blackwater" system, loaded with tannins that lend a natural

"iced tea" color to the water. The river supports numerous plants,

fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, among them

some rare, threatened, and endangered species. Atlantic sturgeon,

migratory swallow-tailed kites, gopher tortoises and indigo snakes

are found in and around its waters. Residents and visitors alike

enjoy the Satilla River, its surrounding floodplain, tributary

systems, and isolated upland wetlands for fishing, hunting,

canoeing/kayaking, and other forms of nature-based recreation.

The Satilla/St. Andrews Sound estuary is an important source of

brown and white shrimp and blue crab, which are harvested

commercially and recreationally. However, both historical land use patterns and new development

The Satilla River, a "blackwater" system, is loaded with tannins that lend a natural "iced tea" color to the water.

pressures combine to threaten the health of the Satilla River. A

rural county with a population of some 15,000 people, much of Brantley County has traditionally been

used for agriculture/forestry purposes which often included

poor logging practices causing significant damage to the

river. A large number of dirt roads, 665 miles at last count,

contribute to a significant runoff problem causing silting of

wetlands and tributaries.

Photo credit: D. Stevenson, The Orianne Society

Found along the Satilla River basin, the gopher tortoise (gopherus polyphemus) belongs to a group of land tortoises that originated in North America 60 million years ago, thus making it one of the oldest living species.

Historically, Brantley County has had no zoning codes or land use regulations resulting in inappropriate development in sensitive wetlands and along river banks. Compounding the problem, Brantley County is presently experiencing rapid population growth as development of its oceanfront neighbors, Glynn and Camden County, spills over into its eastern boundaries. Some estimates show Brantley County population growing by 50% in the next 25 years. This rapid and uncontrolled development threatens continuing damage and degradation of the Satilla River system.

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Georgia Coastal Management Program (GA CMP) staff has worked with Brantley County officials and commission members for several years in an effort to encourage stewardship of the Satilla River and offer educational opportunities and support. Two years ago the process began with the employment of the first County Manager and the election of a new Board of Commissioners who recognized the importance of Brantley County's sensitive natural resources.

Through combined efforts of GA CMP Coastal Resources Specialist, Jennifer Kline, and representatives of the County, the Brantley County Commission applied for and received a $50,000 Georgia Coastal Incentive Grant to develop a suite of ordinances and land planning regulations to guide the county's future development. The County recently completed work on a Future Land Use Plan, Subdivision Ordinance and Storm-water Management Ordinance

Through land planning regulations and ordinances approved by the Brantly County Commission, the Satilla River with its Ogeechee Tupelo and Bald Cypress trees will remain healthy for future generations.
Bald Cypress Trees
Ancient Bald Cypress forests, with some trees more than 1,200 years old, once dominated swamps in the southeast US.
The Bald Cypress produces "knees" which project from the root system upward above water level to facilitate gas exchange.
Ogeechee Tupelo Trees
Ogeechee Tupelo Trees are commonly referred to as "Ogeechee-lime trees" due to their very sour tasting fruit that is often used as a lime substitute.
Their nectar is also a favorite for honeybees, which produce a much sought after "tupelo honey".
For more information on the Brantley County Project, contact Jennifer Kline at (912) 264-7218, jennifer.kline@dnr.state.ga.us

Even more importantly, these ordinances were unanimously adopted by the Brantley County Commission at its September 2010 meeting and became effective in November 2010. Along with the ordinance adoption, Commissioners, staff and department heads have participated in training workshops to better understand application and enforcement of the new tools.
GA CMP's Coastal Resource Specialists work closely with all 11 county governments and several municipalities in the region to provide tools and educational opportunities that encourage stewardship and protection of valuable coastal resources.

The Georgia Sound is produced by the Georgia DNR/Coastal Resources Division. If you would like more information please visit our web site at: www.CoastalGaDNR.org or contact Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218. Editor: Nancy Butler, CRD Communications Outreach, GA DNR. Email: nancy.butler@dnr.state.ga.us
This publication is made possible through the efforts of the GA DNR/Coastal Resources Division staff and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Grand Award #NA07NOS4190182.

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Coastal Resources Division Honors Former Director Shipman
For more than 15 years, the multi-purpose, open-air picnic shelter at the Coastal Regional Headquarters (CRH) in Brunswick hosted students, visitors and Department staff for numerous workshops, education and outreach activities. Built in 1995 using a pre-fabricated
kit installed on a concrete slab, the structure was beginning to show it's age. The decision was made that the shelter would be more useful if it was enclosed and climate controlled.

As part of the recently

completed refurbish-

Picnic shelter before renovation

ment of the Coastal Regional Headquarters

(CRH) facility, funds were allocated to give the

shelter some much needed TLC and a new

enclosed meeting space was created for DNR. Funding for the entire CRH project came through

Newly named Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center

a $2.5M general obligation bond in the FY03

Supplemental Budget. Through an inter-governmental agreement, the GA Department of

Corrections provided no-cost labor for the 5-month shelter renovation. "Working with the

Georgia Department of Corrections, we estimate that our labor cost savings on this portion of

the Headquarters renovation project was 40%," said CRD Director Spud Woodward.

In December, the renovated picnic shelter, now providing a 1,000 square foot, climate controlled area featuring a restroom, small kitchenette, and state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment was formally opened as the Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center. "During Susan's 30-year career with Georgia DNR she worked diligently to ensure that education and outreach activities were a
priority. So, it's very appropriate that this newly renovated facility be named in her honor," commented Woodward.

In additional to the new interior space, CRD technical assistant, Kelly O'Rourke applied her LEED Certification skills to create a Sustainable Landscape Project on the grounds of the Learning Center. Eamonn Leonard from sister agency WRD, assisted with the project design, plant selection, construction and installation. CRD staff volunteered for construction, planting, mulching and future weeding.

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DNR Sustainable Landscape Project at the Susan Shipman Environmental Learning Center

By Kelly O'Rourke, Coastal Resources Specialist

Editors Note: The Learning Center project at CRH achieved multiple sustainability objectives by incorporating native landscaping with water efficient drip irrigation using captured rainwater. Kelly O'Rourke explains the importance of native plants and water conservation to the project:

Why Native Plants?

Native plants provide many benefits to a landscaped area.

Compared to traditional landscaping, native plantings require very

little maintenance because they are accustomed to the local climate

and soil conditions. Once established, native plants do not require

as much water and are more resistant to drought, reducing the need

for irrigation. This not only saves you money but also reduces the

pressure on our water supply. Planting native also eliminates the

need for fertilizers and pesticides, as they are more resistant to pests and diseases. Limiting the application of these in the natural environment reduces the risk of contamination in our water supply and pollution in our

Helianthus debilis (Dune Sunflower) and Yucca filamentosa are two native species included in the landscape design at the Environmental Learning Center.

streams and estuaries. Native plants also provide extremely valuable

habitat for many species such as butterflies and songbirds and help

protect the bio-diversity of the coastal region.

Water Conservation
The average American uses 100 gallons of water per day, and more than 50% of that is for outdoor use. Watering gardens uses a considerable amount of water but there are many alternatives that can be used in a garden landscape to reduce this number. One conservation method is to harvest a free source of water rainwater.
Did you know that one inch of rain on a 1,000-square-foot roof will yield around 600 gallons of water? Most rainwater is not collected, and it is left to fall off roofs and driveways and wash dirt and chemicals like pesticides and fertilizers into sewers, local ponds, rivers and waterways. An alternative to this lost resource is to attach rainbarrels or cisterns to installed gutters to capture rainwater and use for irrigation like the process at Coastal Regional Headquarters.
Drip irrigation is also a great alternative to traditional sprinkler irrigation systems. The water is slowly released directly into the root zone of the plant, therefore reducing the loss of water from sprinkler systems due to evaporation and misplaced sprinkler heads.

Rain barrels, above, capture runoff during rainy periods thru downspouts from gutters.

The Learning Center garden is watered solely by rainbarrels through a gravity fed drip irrigation system. No potable water is used!!

Gravity fed drip irrigation tubing is installed to each plant before the top layer of mulch is spread.

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Road Trip:
Coastal Georgia Comes to the State Capitol
Coastal Georgia made a temporary move 300 miles north on Tuesday, Feb 8, 2011 when a group of state and federal conservation agencies gathered under the Gold Dome in Atlanta for Coastal Day At The Capitol.
"From blackwater swamps to barrier islands to the open Atlantic Ocean, the Georgia coast is one of the most ecologically diverse areas of the state. The coast is also one of the most economically important areas of the state with natural and cultural resource based commerce generating billions in spending each year," said Spud Woodward, Director of the Coastal Resources Division of Georgia DNR the agency that co-hosted the event with the Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve.
Coastal Day At The Capitol presented a unique setting for coastal organizations to dialog with legislators and their staffs about the many issues and opportunities available in coastal Georgia. In welcoming attendees to the event Tuesday morning, Governor Nathan Deal highlighted the contribution of coastal Georgia to the state's economy through the importance of Georgia ports, as well as the strength of the tourism industry that attracts visitors to this region.

photo credit: Alana Joyner, Governor's Staff Photographer

Governor Nathan Deal, left, accepts a copper repujado image of a red drum the state salt water fish from CRD Director Spud Woodward. Coppersmith Pointe Studios owner and coastal Georgia native, Robert Medders, created the one of a kind artwork for Coastal Day at the Capitol.

Participating in Coastal Day at the Capitol
Georgia Sea Turtle Center Grays Reef National Marine Sanctuary
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Burton 4-H Center Tybee Island
Jekyll Island 4-H Center Georgia Sea Grant
Skidaway Institute of Oceanography UGA Marine Extension Service
Sapelo Island National Estuarine Research Reserve Georgia Shrimp Association GA DNR-Coastal Resources
Wildlife Resources Nongame Conservation Historic Preservation
State Parks and Historic Sites

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Dateline Atlanta: February 8, 2011
Southern Comfort Food - Coastal Style
During Coastal Day at the Capitol, State government leaders and legislators enjoyed a taste of the coast at a lunch of Wild Georgia `Shrimp-'n-Grits' made possible by the Georgia Shrimp Association, the Coastal Kitchen Restaurant of St Simons Island and Savannah's Candy Kitchen.

photo credit: Charlie Miller photo credit: Charlie Miller

Coastal Kitchen owner Jeff Montaigne prepares for the luncheon.

Representatives from the Georgia Shrimp Association join CRD staff to serve `shrimp `n grits'.

Cooking Wild Georgia Shrimp.

With temperatures hovering around 45o, Chef Archie Prince of Coastal Kitchen prepares the `Wild Georgia Shrimp'.

Governor Deal emphasized the importance of a healthy coast to the attendees gathered in the south lobby of the state capitol.
www.CoastalGaDNR.org

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CRD Staff News

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New Biologist On Board the RV/Anna
Jason Edwards joined the Coastal Resources Division as a Natural Resources Biologist in early December. A native of coastal North Carolina, Jason received degrees in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and Biological Science from North Carolina State University. In North Carolina he was involved with multiple projects on
a variety of coastal species including studies on red drum movement and mortality, juvenile bluefish recruitment, blue crab migration and spawning, and feeding habits of pelagic fish (mahi-mahi, tuna, wahoo and blue marlin).

Jason attended graduate school at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Chesapeake Biological Lab where he received a Master's degree in Fisheries Science. Here he researched Atlantic menhaden growth rates in Chesapeake and Delaware Bays and how it relates to specific estuarine habitats types and environmental conditions. In Maryland he also participated in efforts to develop and establish surveys to assess the commercial and recreational blue crab trotline and pot fisheries. At CRD, Jason serves as the biologist aboard the Research Vessel Anna during the monthly Ecological Monitoring Trawl Survey that is conducted in the creeks, sounds and coastal areas throughout the Georgia coast.

Staff Member Receives LEED Green Associate Certification
The Technical Assistance Program of the Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) has recently adopted a new approach to providing assistance to the coastal zone by establishing Specialty Areas of study that gives staff have the opportunity to work towards becoming subject matter experts. This approach gives staff the tools to offer in-depth assistance to local governments and stakeholder groups of the GCMP.

Recently, Technical Assistant Kelly O'Rourke has been certified as a LEED Green Associate. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building or community performs across categories such as energy savings, water efficiency, CO2 emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts. Kelly's specialty area - Smart Growth and Low Impact Development (LID) is a new focus in Coastal Georgia. Since her certification, Kelly has worked on LID projects in Brunswick, Kingsland and Glynn County. "I am excited to work with local governments on LID demonstration projects throughout the region," says O'Rourke. "Smart growth principles are a growing trend across the US. I hope to use the knowledge acquired through my LEED certification to assist local governments with ongoing and future projects".

For more information on Smart Growth and Low Impact Development, please contact Kelly.O'Rourke@dnr.state.ga.us

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GaSound Bytes
New Coastal Barrier Islands Poster
Since the mid-1990's, a staple of the CRD outreach materials has been the Georgia Coastal Barrier Islands Poster. We are pleased to announce that an updated version of the poster `Explore Coastal Georgia' has just been completed. The 24" x 36" poster highlights Georgia's unique coastal environment including relic shorelines, salt marsh, freshwater wetlands, rivers and artificial reefs.
The Explore poster is available free of charge at the CRH office in Brunswick or send $3.00 for shipping to EXPLORE Poster, GA DNR/CRD, One Conservation Way, Brunswick, GA 31520. Please make checks payable to GA DNR/CRD.

South Atlantic Alliance Update
By Sonny Emmert, Coastal Resources Specialist
The states of Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina share a vast array of similar coastal and ocean resources. The resources and their associated issues cut across the jurisdictional lines requiring a broader perspective to address their management. Given the connectivity and complexity of these issues the governors of the four states agreed to form a partnership to increase collaboration and effectiveness between the states. In 2009, the Governors of the four states signed the South Atlantic Alliance Partnership Agreement forming the Governors' South Atlantic Alliance.
Within the original framework the Alliance had identified four Priority Issue Areas of mutual importance to all the states. The four identified areas are Healthy Ecosystems, Working
Waterfronts, Clean Coasts and Ocean Waters , and Disaster Resilient Communities. Representatives with technical knowledge from each state were assigned to each of the Priority Issue Areas. The Issue Area Technical teams were then called upon to draft an Action Plan for the Alliance. The Plan includes a Description, Goal, supporting Objectives and specific Actions for each of the Priority Areas. Public comments were received on the Draft Plan and a Final Action Plan was signed by the Governors in December of 2010.
Now having a completed Action Plan the Issue Area Technical Teams have begun addressing implementation of the action items. The Technical teams expanded to include key federal partners and other experts in the field in order to address all the elements of implementation. The implementation plan is expected to be completed by summer 2011. For the latest updates and more information on the Alliance please visit the website: www.southatlanticalliance.org

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CoastFest 2010 Breaks Attendance Records
Near perfect weather brought more than 8,300 visitors to the 16th annual CoastFest at Ga DNR/Coastal Resources Division Headquarters along the South Brunswick River on Saturday, October 2, 2010.
With more than 80 environmental, educational research and resource exhibitors from throughout the southeast providing interactive exhibits and displays, CoastFest visitors of all ages participated in activities from recycling to coastal weather... native plants to sea turtles ... water conservation to archeology... herpetology to geology!!
New additions to the 2010 event included bubbleologist, Keith Johnson who used imagination and science to explore how bubbles work. The Georgia Kayak Fishing Foundation taught kids casting techniques from a `land-based' kayak. Throughout the day, visitors could also experience colonial building techniques as they mixed a batch of tabby - hosted by the Historic Preservation Division of the Ga DNR.
Among the returning exhibits and presenters, magician Arthur Atsma amazed the audience with marine science and Newtonian physics taught through fast-paced circus stunts and magic tricks. Jim Sawgrass and his Creek Indian encampment, military re-enactors from the Revolutionary War through the Civil War, touch tanks with sea life, and plenty of `make-it-takeit' projects were also crowd pleasers.
Since 1995, CRD in support of the threeweek national 'CoastWeeks' event held in all 50 states to celebrate the nation's waters and shorelines has hosted CoastFest the first Saturday in October. The free event highlights Georgia's unique coastal environment in a familyfriendly day of fun and education.
The 2010 CoastFest Art Contest received a record number of entries for 2010. From the more than 1200 paintings submitted by area students, CRD has selected one image for the CoastFest 2011 logo that will appear in all promotional materials beginning summer `11 and on the CoastFest 2011 T-shirt.
Save the Date... CoastFest 2011 - Saturday, October 1st

www.CoastalGaDNR.org