Georgia sound, Vol. 5, no. 1 (Jan. - Mar. 1999

G-A
N aoo. Cr ~ THE
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GEORGIA

COASTAL

MANAGEMENT

PROGRAM

eor z, a

sound

Georgia Coastal Management Program
By:
Celebrates One Year of Existence! Dr.StuartStevens

!:]!lt for submissiordo- NOAA.

Governor,Busbee stops the
~-e

The Shore PfBtectiori7W:fEi passed

in Congress.

Beaches and

submerged

lands are

now

regulated

bylaw.

The United States Congress re-authorizes the federal Coastal
Zone Management Act and directs the Department of
re~~~~~~~1rlt~t.~e
the program.,f'~!!!io/~tf.! }:::::r
states' partldi)afion>=}:::

The

Department The Georgia General Assembly

of Natural

Resources

~B~:E~~~:~~~

n~&ffor a federally

approved

coastal

appoints a joint Senate/House Study Committee to
investigate the valu
'iiit"'YtO
recommeo(flhhiithijtfuWGeneral

management

Program.

Assembl~/@ft!laer.l~Mition to

~--------~~--F-o-r~---etstwa-b0li-s-h~the{-P-r:oggrr:aam:.n:ts~a=re~-.lllllllllllr' llllllll.,..

The Secretary of Commerce

issued to universities,

colleges, cities and

:!1181: te::~~~gma:d

on implementation of the Program.

impacts to rivers. Technical assistance grants cover subjects

cIIOJa1st9a9J9Att.he Georg

from wetlands to sewage treatment.
In one short year, the vision of what the Georgia Coastal Management Program could be has become reality. Increased communication and cooperation among coastal governments and

p'"" itlJag 1a
9'11i2~~!.~e. nt :;~---~~;oiutr:Cso:t~ed~s

businesses has been realized through effective pro-active and non-regul~;ory

efforts of the Department. Through the steadfast efforts of Georgia Coastal Management Program

leaders and supporters, the Program is surpassing expectations and making a difference in coastal Georgia.

Watch for continued services this Program will provide to YOU!

PAGE2

THE GEORGIA SOUND

WINTER, 1999

It's not every day that Stuart Stevens steals my thunder. But in this case, he did. Upon reflecting what I would write in the first year anniversary edition of the Georgia Sound, I thought I might talk about the early history of Georgia's involvement in the federal Coastal Zone Management Program. Too late! By the time I was ready to put fingers to computer, Stuart had already done so. This begs the question, am I in charge or what??

Stuart left just enough out of his story that I'll try to fill in the blanks and give you my impression of Georgia's first year as a partner in Coastal Zone Management.

Governor Busbee was right to pull the plug on Georgia's participation in this state/federal partnership in

1979. The most important reason was that it was not truly a partnership, but a dictatorship run by the federal

government. The last thing any sovereign state wants to do is give up authority to the feds, and it appeared in

1979 that was what we were about to do. Rather than working with Georgia to develop a Georgia program, the

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

was telling us what to do and how to do it. Some

partnership!



+l::!ir-lt:~({~iSU~'''~chh;a~~nged dramatically in

1979. The most significant change is Jeff Benoit. Jeff

is the Director of the Office of Ocean and Coastal

Management in NOM. What is important about

Jeff is thath~..~.?.Hl1~.Jo the federal government

state -

he ran the state's coastal

zone managen1ei1f13fpgram. His perspective is

. He

ri9~t-~. and the fact that each

state is different. Jefftktognized that Georgia

had an . . ...

=ffl.ifi~ent program even

without NOM's help. ''l~terestingly, that's what '. .of the opponents to G~~gia's stafWflt~f.~) partnership

contended. Why do weH~,~d the feds, we're doing

goo~~~J,!.P,Mf,,,.p~n .. ''''''~{'i(:i.i,:;:;:::i.

..,.,,,,,,,,,,,~=~t:~~'\t:,,, ,,,,,

I do not want to give anyone the impression that developing a coastal . riWi:rt~Q~!}lent progra;if'ts

easy. Several times during the process Stuart and I were ready to throw in the

. ThMii&~tt.''4~f~Benoit,

Josh Lott, and others in NOM, .we stayed the course, and they

some very difficult and

trying times,,,,:~=~Wit9.m.Jj,pg,l,,,,}M'tbld them how it had to be

a plan based entirely on

existing::c::l:~authorlzing Georgj;;,~jn the federal C~agement Program.

Thanks to GovefrlSWiMtl Miller and Lt. Governor PWUW'Ib.'wCird, as well as Represent- Bob Hanner,

Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee afttf'SijijMor Hugh Gillis, Chairrtl~ of the Senate Natural

Resources Committee, the law was passed.

.,.,,,,,,,,,_,

;::~::~:::::=

o~:=~sion. t&!i~~~ Now we celebrate the first anniversary of this momentous

Thanks

hard work and

dedication of a great staff, it has been a truly great year, and I could not be more plei!Nhd with our progress.

Coastal Incentive Grants, educational workshops, partnerships with local governments and state agencies, have

all been success stories of this past year. And, we are just beginning! And, by the way, next time we meet, be sure and ask me how I talked Stuart into taking on Coastal Zone Management as part of his program. ~

Duane Harris, Director Coastal Resources Division

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PAGE 3

Co,:flll..ST'.l1l~ T MANAGEMENT

By:LoniceBarrett Commissioner, Georgia Department ofNatural Resources

AND COMMUNITY SERVICE

Talk to residents about what they enjoy most about living in coastal Georgia and high on the list will often

emerge a quality of life expressed in terms of nature and natural resources. Whether it be the marshes, the beach,

the rivers, the forests, fishing, or hunting -- folks living on the Georgia coast appreciate the beauty and recreational

opportunities offered by its bountiful natural resources. The pleasures of coastal living are luring more and more to

the Georgia coast. With this growth in population come attendant needs for more and more places for people to

live, to work, and

generate intense impacts on fragile coastal

wonderful quality of life. Now more than ever, coastal

commun

of growth with protection and preservation of our

natural

assistance to coc:lSfit1*t~W.t~Wi~t~~U.~~; implementation of Coastal Incentive and local projects reviewed. Forty-two for award.

Program emerged from concept to reality. In granted Georgia full approval and acceptance Georgia joined thirty-one other states and the national Program. Providing ''~''~~~~'+"''Management Program. Since provided more than $1.2 million in to facilitate research

Good coastal primarily made at the training in natural community leaders with job of managing coastal Division biologists and te a variety of environmental and protected species. through the Coastal Ark t':l'C)Ja~m directly to the learner. Local planning and training programs.

Resources and guidance on
endangered

No new

Management

Program. Instead, the

enacted. The heart

of the Georgia Coastal

the Shore Protection

Act, passed in 1970 and 1

Program,

administrative procedures pursuant to the Marsh and Shore Acts have

and streamlined by

consolidating permit applications. Field services have been expanded to

communities, and an

additional field office has been added in Savannah. Improved enforcement and permit compliance are only two

benefits of the Georgia Coastal Management Program.

The Department of Natural Resources is the only agency of State government that touches the lives of Georgians every day. From the water we drink, the air we breathe, and the land we occupy, DNR is involved in managing those resources for the benefit of all our citizens. The highest priorities of the Department are conserving Georgia's natural resources customer service. The Georgia Coastal Management Program is one way those two commitments come together on the coast to retain our state's quality of life. ~

THE

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THE GEORGIA SOUND

WINTER,1999

.NOAA Conyl'atulates the GeoJ'yia Coastai.M.auayemeut Pl'oyJ'am 1 on its :iil'st Annivel'sai'JJ

On the first anniversary of Georgia's entry into the national Coastal Zone Management

Program, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration extends its congratulations

and celebrates the partnership among the citizens and all levels of government that defines

successful coastal management in Georgia and nationwide. As we review Georgia's successes,

we also anticipate the opportunities and challenges that await us in 1999 and the 21st Century.

Georgia can point proudly to

The Coastal Incentive

Grants foster valuable

to the coast, and offer

innovative education

seminars have

enabled local officials

protect Georgia's

coastal resources.

Needs

Assessment

As the nation's running last January and Division and the citizens of the Coastal Management Program.

hit the ground the Coastal Resources Of opportunities afforded by to help you continue these successes.
~

Sincerely, Jeffrey R. Benoit Director, Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management

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PAGE 5

THE COASTAL ARK AND YOU

By:JanetEvans

PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION

WHAT IS PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION?
Partners in Conservation is a unique partnership between Georgia's Coasta!Ark and members of the coastal community. Through their donations Partners in Conservation are ensuring the future and continuation of the CoastalArk environmental education program. By joining together with the Ark, Partners are helping to bring important environmental information directly to the citizens of coastal Georgia.
WHO ARE PARTNERS IN CONSERVATION?

WHAT DOES BEING A PARTNER IN CONSERVATION MEAN?
Becoming a Partner in Conservation means that you actively support this environmental education effort and are helping to inform and educate citizens and decision makers throughout the state. As a Partner in Conservation you make possible education programs designed to have positive long-term effects on our environment.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BECOMING A PARTNER IN CONSERVATION?

Anyone interested in furthering the mission of the Coasta!Ark can become a Partner in Conservation. Students, individuals, families, classrooms, non-profit organizations and businesses can all get involved.
HOW DO I BECOME A PARTNER IN CONSERVATION?
Partners in Conservation fall into six categories based on monetary donations. The Corporate commitment may be in the form of a monetary donation of $1000, or an equal donation of time, resources or services.
All Partner in Conservation donations are tax deductible and are renewable on a yearly basis.

Besides being an important part of the Coasta!Ark effort and directly enabling the Ark to continue its mission, Partners in Conservation receive several other benefits. All Partners receive a certificate, a color photo of the Ark and their name included on the Partner in Conservation "designation" housed on the Ark. Corporate Partners in Conservation also have their company logos displayed on the Ark and its electric vehicle trailer. Corporate members may place company information in the CoastalArk library.

Our Partners in Conservation are vital to the success of the Coasta!Ark educational effort. Join the CoastalArk to help prevent pollution, protect our watersheds and educate Georgians on important environmental issues.

BECOME A PARTNER IN CONSERVATION TODAY!

Giving Levels Include:

Student

Classroom

Individual

Non-Profit

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THE GEORGIA SOUND

WINTER, 1999

Drs. Jack Blanton and Harvey Seim (Skidaway Institute of Oceanography) are examining how accelerated use of water sources will change the salinity regimes of Georgia estuaries. Changes in salt distribution can affect plant communities and commercially important fish and shellfish species. They hope to predict how salinity changes in response to a variety of potential causes.
Drs. Blanton and Seim are working with Dr. Guoqing Lin to understand what controls salt content in the Satilla River in order to predict how salt content may change in the future. They will use field observations to test and verify a model that will hopefully be used as a management tool.
Dr. Changsheng Chen (UGA) is trying to develop a single physical model of intertidal transport which will incorporate data from various studies.

THE

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PAGE 7

Local Government and GCMP - a WINNING Combination!

Dr. Alice Chalmers (UGA) studies the effect of rapid coastal population growth and development on estuarine salinity. Increased demand for freshwater has decreased groundwater flow into estuaries, and land use changes have contributed to changes in the amount and timing of water flow to estuaries. Such changes may cause increased salinity, shifting of the fresh-saltwater interface, and changes in distribution of plant and animal communities.
Dr. Merry! Alber is looking for evidence that water flow in the Satilla River has changed over time. Her work to date shows that there have been only slight changes in water withdrawal and use since 1985, that salinity has increased over time, and that there is no obvious trend in annual river discharge.
Dr. Joel Kostka is estimating nutrient distributions in the Satilla. Data collected in this study will be used to develop a nutrient model for resource managers to predict the effects of changes in surface water use on water quality.
Flathead catfish were the subject of Mr. Bert Deener's (DNR) talk. This non-native species was first documented in the Satilla River in June, 1996. Flatheads are a problem because they are voracious predators of other fish, particularly redbreast sunfish. The Department of Natural Resources is attempting to remove flathead catfish from the Satilla in order to protect the native game fish populations.
Mr. Gordon Rogers (Satilla Management Associates} suggested that shortnose sturgeons could be used as indicators of watershed health because poor water quality strongly impacts recruitment of shortnose sturgeon. Mr. Rogers has been testing dissolved oxygen levels in the Satilla for the last two years and found them to be very low. During the same period he has captured no sturgeon there.
Dr. Wei-Jun Cai has been studying oxygen levels as a measure of ecosystem health and is trying to understand why they are so low in the Satilla River.

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T H E G E10 R G I A S 0 U N D

WINTER, 1999

Habitat Management Program Permit Compliance and Enforcement

By: Terry West

The Habitat Management Program was established in July, 1994 as part of the Coastal Resources Division's implementation of a Coastal Management Program. At that time, our success in attaining federal approval of our Coastal Management Program was not certain, but the Department was committed to implementing a long-term coastal management plan regardless of federal approval. The protection of our estuarine habitats is the foundation upon which Georgia's Coastal Management Program is built. The Habitat Management Program was formed by means of staff reorganization in 1994 with the primary function of providing prompt, thorough, and efficient permit processing while also enforcing strict compliance with permit conditions. The three legal authorities administered by the Habitat Management Program are the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970, the Shore Protection Act, and the revocable license process for allocating uses of state owned tidal marshlands and water bottoms.

Habitat Management Program Staff

Terry West Rhonda Knight Rubinette Douglas

Program Manager Permit Coordinator Permit Coordinator Marsh and Shore Committees

Cindy Gregory Kelie Cochran Tom Miller

Administrative Technician Permit Coordinator Permit Coordinator Savannah Office

The legal authorities administered by the Habitat Management Program provide for both criminal and civil penalties for violations. Violations, referred to as unauthorized activities, of the laws protecting our estuarine habitats consist of either (1) unpermitted or unauthorized structures or activities within jurisdictional areas, or (2) violations of, or failure to adhere to, specific permit conditions. Following are annual totals of the unauthorized activities investigated for the years 1990-1997 and January- November 1998 .

Why the tremendous increase in violations?
With the formation of the Habitat Management Program in July, 1994, staff reorganization doubled the number of associates administering our estuarine management laws from two to four. In 1997, the Savannah satellite office was opened, and Tom Miller was hired. Kelie Cochran was reassigned to the Habitat Management Program, bringing the total staff to its current level of six. More staff in the field logically results in more violations discovered. But there are other factors which account for the increase in violations discovered. One area heavily emphasized by the Habitat Management Program is permit compliance. Each and every permit issued through the Habitat Management Program is subjected to compliance inspections at various time intervals. Even minor deviations from the issued permit conditions are treated as unauthorized activities. The primary duties of Tom Miller in the Savannah office, and Rhonda Knight in the Coastal Headquarters office are to perform compliance inspections, investigate reports of unauthorized activities, and conduct routine patrols for violations.

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:.;::::::::::::::::::.:::.:::=:::.:::::... ;:;:;:;:::. :::::::::::::::::::::::;:::::::::::::::::::::::: :::::=:::::::::: ::::::::;::::;::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::.:::::::::: ::::::::;:;:;:;:;::::::::::::::::: :-::::::::

Public education effor1s of our Coastal Management Program have increased the public knowledge and awareness of the estuarine management laws, and have thus resulted in more repor1s of violations. 1\s development of our coastal area has progressed, the increased density has resulted in fewer areas of total isolation which decreases the likelihood of a violation remaining undetected. The Habitat Management Program has also provided training and seminars for specific user groups in an effort to increase knowledge of the existing laws. These seminars for dock builders, marine contractors, realtors, and marina operators have been very successful in disseminating information and promoting cooperation. More than one half of the unauthorized activities investigated initiate with a report from the citizenry.
The Habitat Management Program maintains close contacts with other agencies at the local, state, and federal levels. This interagency cooperation and coordination with agencies such as the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, DNR's Environmental Protection Division and Law Enforcement Section, and local government officials has contributed to the increased number of reported unauthorized activities. The Georgia Emergency Management Agency maintains a toll-free, 24-hour hotline which receives and forwards citizen reports of violations to the Habitat Management Program staff. And, the Habitat Management Program staff utilizes the DNR aircraft unit stationed on St. Simons Island to conduct aerial reconnaissance of the entire coastat regular intervals.

The "Other" category includes common violations such as boats stored in the tidal marshes or in sand dunes; commercial use of docks permitted for private, recreational purposes only; unpermitted dredging of tidal water bottoms; persons living aboard vessels for more than 30 days; and unpermitted alterations to sand dunes.
Over ninety percent of unauthorized activities are resolved within 45 days. The primary goal of the Habitat Management Program with regard to unauthorized activities is complete restoration of impacted jurisdictional areas. Restoration can involve removal of unpermitted structures, removal of fill materials, rebuilding of sand dunes, and re-vegetation of tidal marshlands or sand dunes. Program Manager Terry West is a certified law enforcement officer and has effected one criminal arrest in May, 1995, for a commercial fill of tidal marshlands, and has issued several warning citations for criminal violations of applicable laws.
Civil penalties for violations have been levied by judges on three occasions in the past, one for major impacts to sand dunes, and two for significant marshlands fills. During the past year, the Habitat Management Program executed consent agreements which included civil penalties for the first time ever. Two different violations involving unpermitted dredging of tidal water bottoms were resolved by payment of civil penalties, one in the amount of $500, and one for $7000. The imposition of civil penalties will become a more frequent resolution in the future, particularly for commercial violations which cannot be readily restored.
As our public outreach and education efforts continue to expand, the numbers of violations of the laws protecting our estuarine habitats will hopefully decline. In the meantime, the Habitat Management Program staff will continue to aggressively enforce those legal authorities enacted to protect our estuarine habitats which are the cornerstone of Georgia's coastal environment. ~

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Marine Fisheries
By: Nancy Butler

WINTER, 1999

In 1996, a national Shark Evaluation Workshop concluded that the large coastal shark IJVI~ucu"~' in the Atlantic

was overfished and that a harvest reduction of at least 50

to ta9tilnm~ij~it? stocks. An earlier

study had determined that the population of small coastal

fully fished. As a

result of these studies, commercial quotas for shark landings

'U:':~,t'l:.rnh Under federal

regulations the landing of certain sharks was prohibited and

at two sharks per boat,

plus two Atlantic sharpnose sharks per angler for waters outside

Although

federal regulations were in place, Georgia had no regulations

During the 1998 session, the Georgia General

tiger sharks in state waters and gave the Board of

waters. In an effort to curb any further decline in

population and

throughout their range, the Board of Natural Resources adopted new

effective on November 13, 1998.

early spring

migrate offshore

temperatures drop in late

are long-lived and mature

as Great Hammerhead

until they are

almost 10' in length. Lemon

ave been

documented to live more

Unlike many

finfish which release

eggs externally, sharks

produce fewer, well

or "pups". Shark

populations generally do

well to heavy

fishing pressure and the

population has dropped

radically over the past

worldwide. No

W!i!iliW!i!iiiW!i!iiiW!i!ilili:;t commercial fishery

for sharks in state waters due to

gear restrictions on longlines and gillnets. Georgia's recreational shark fishery is small but active with reported

landings in 1997 of 8,801 fish.

For more information on shark or other saltwater fishing regulations contact the DNR/Coastal Resources Division in Brunswick at 912-264-7218; or visit our website at: www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/coastal. ~

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Marine Fisheries

By: Nancy Butler

Marine Fishery Associates

In December, Coastal Resources Division's Marine

Attend Pfiesteria Workshop Fisheries Section participated in the NOAA sponsored
Pfiesteria Protocols workshop held in Silver Spring, Maryland.

The workshop brought

state and federal agencies

involved in monitoring water quality, plankton, and fish lesion/mortality for

events in U.S.

Coastal waters from New Jersey through Texas.

The purpose of the workshop was to develop rorrorrrr"ll>t'1 and reporting. When an outbreak of Pfiesteria-complex occurs, data is transferred between local, regional, and national data establishing consistent methods of reporting these data for accurate

Georgia, unlike other coastal states, has had no reported believe that Georgia's tide fluctuations and high exchange rates play a major role in flushed out of our coastal waters. However, the coastal creeks and rivers may be susceptible to Pfiesteria outbreaks during periods of drought when water flow is low and sluggish. ~

Dr. Stuart Stevens, Chief of CRD's Ecological Services Section, was recently named Vice-Chairman of the Coastal States Organization (CSO). The CSO is a national organization comprised of member states developing policies for managing coastal resources. Dr. Stevens has been with DNR for 19 years and has served as Chief since 1989. He oversees the Habitat Management and Shellfish Programs and also the Georgia Coastal Management Program.

Susan Shipman, Chief of CRD's Marine Fisheries Section, was recently named Vice-Chairman of the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission. The ASMFC is comprised of 15 east coast member states working cooperatively to manage shared fishery resources. Ms. Shipman began with DNR in 1979 and has served as Chief since 1983. She coordinates DNR's marine and estuarine fisheries programs for commercial fisheries, recreational fisheries and outer continental shelf resources.

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Caleudal' of Upcominu vents
January 23 Kiwanis Club Family Festival, Folkston, Georgia. For information call (912) 496-2563.
February 2-4 "Fundamentals of Erosion and Sediment Control" presented by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission in Athens. For information call (706) 542-3065.
June 13-15 Second National Mitigation Banking Conference by the Terrene Institute. The conference is in Atlanta and early bird registration (with discount) is January 15. For information call (703) 548-5473.
If you know of natural resources conferences or meetings for local government officials or citizens please contact Lea King at (912) 264-7218 to include the information in our Local Government Calendar.

Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division One Conservation Way, Suite 300 Brunswick, GA 31520-8687
."'
G&~~CQ~tal
Mari4g~ftie~( Program
Ce{ebiafes
one yea1:: .\. AnniV~t:&dt ~