How to address "The Environmental Planning Criteria" in your local plan: a guidebook [Dec. 1991]

How to Address
'The Environmental Planning Criteria"
in Your Local Plan ~
A Guidebook 1/
Georgia Department of Community Mfairs
Office ofCoordinated Planning 1200 Equitable Building !OO Peachtree Street Atlanta, Georgia 30303 (404) 656-PLAN
JhnIngdon Commissioner
December 1991
An Equal Opportunily Employer

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1

Water Supply Watershed Protection Criteria

3

What Is A Water Supply Watershed?

3

Why Should A Water Supply Watershed Be Protected?

4

How to Determine if the Criteria for Water Supply

Watersheds Apply to Your Community

5

How to Address the Water Supply Watershed Protection

Criteria in Your Local Plan

7

Other Information About Including the Watershed Protection

Criteria in Your Local Plan

20

Suggestions ifYou Want to Go Beyond the Minimum Water

Supply Watershed Protection Criteria

22

Criteria for Protection of Groundwater Recharge Areas

23

What Is A Groundwater Recharge Area?

23

Why Should A Groundwater Recharge Area Be Protected?

24

How to Determine if the Criteria for Groundwater Recharge

Areas Apply to Your Community

24

How to Address the Groundwater Recharge Protection Criteria

in Your Local Plan

25

Suggestions if You Want to Go Beyond the Minimum

Groundwater Recharge Area Protection Criteria

35

Wetlands Protection Criteria

36

What are Wetlands?

36

Why Should Wetlands Be Protected?

36

How to Determine if the Criteria for Wetlands Apply

to Your Community

37

How to Address the Wetlands Protection Criteria in Your Local Plan

38

Suggestions if You Want to Go Beyond the Minimum Wetlands

Protection Criteria

42

Conclusion

43

Introduction

Environmental Criteria

This publication is one in a series of planning guidebooks prepared by the Department of Community Affairs (DCA). This guidebook series is designed to assist cities and counties in preparing local plans in accordance with the Georgia Planning Act of 1989. Ifyou have previously reviewed other guidebooks, you already know that the Georgia Planning Act includes a set ofminimum requirements that must be met in each local plan, known as the "Minimum Planning Standards and Procedures."
This guidebook focuses on the part of these Minimum Standards that deals specifically with protection of water supply watersheds, groundwater recharge areas, and wetlands: the "environmental planning criteria." The environmental planning criteria were developed by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as mandated in Part V of the Georgia Planning Act. This publication is intended to explain what these criteria mean and to offer suggestions for ways in which local governments can incorporate them in the Natural and Historic Resources Element of their local comprehensive plans.
As you review this guidebook, it is important to keep in mind that, while the environmental planning criteria are not mandatory regulations, they must be taken into account in your local comprehensive plan. In order for a comprehensive plan to meet the Minimum Standards, it must identify whether any of these environmentally sensitive areas exist within the local government's jurisdiction and, if so, assess whether all or part of the minimum criteria described in this guidebook should be implemented locally.
Not only should you be concerned with addressing the environmental protection criteria in your own plan, but you should also be interested in how neighboring local governments are addressing these criteria in their comprehensive plans. Because water supply watersheds, groundwater recharge areas and wetlands typically cover areas that include several local governments' jurisdictions, activities in each jurisdiction will have an impact on the environmental quality of the entire resource. It is therefore in each local government's best interest to make certain that all the local

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governments that share a particular resource "pull their weight" in protecting that resource.
Clearly, the leadership of our state considered it important that these vital resources be protected -- and so should you. Also keep in mind that the standards addressed in this guide are "minimums" -- local governments will likely want to not only incorporate these minimums in their plans, but go beyond them in the interest ofprotecting these important natural resources.

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Water Supply Watershed Protection Criteria
WHAT IS A WATER SUPPLY WATERSHED?
When rain falls, a portion of the rainfall seeps into the soil, but some ofthe rainfall does not enter the soil and runs across the ground surface, eventually entering a stream or lake. A "watershed" for a particular stream or lake is the area of land whose rainfall "runoff' drains into that stream or lake. If the stream or lake also
FIGURE 1: A Water Supply Watershed

I: : : : : ~:~I WATERSHED AREA

happens to be used as a source of drinking water for nearby communities, then part of this watershed would be considered a "water supply watershed."

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In a typical water supply system, water is withdrawn from the stream or lake at an "intake," ~iverted to a treatment plant which cleans the water, and is then pumped through a distribution system ofpipes to the homes and businesses of the area. A water supply watershed is the portion ofthe watershed that lies upstream of the water supply intake. If the water supply intake is located on a lake, the entire watershed that drains into the lake should be considered part of the water supply ~a tershed. In other words, the entire land area whose rainfall runoff drains into a stream, lake, or their tributaries at points upstream of the location of the water supply intake is a water supply watershed.
The environmental planning criteria apply only to water supply watersheds for governmentally owned public drinking water intakes.

WHY SHOULD A WATER SUPPLY WATERSHED BE PROTECTED?
Safe drinking water is essential for human life. In order for water to be drinkable, all contaminants that would be harmful to human health must be removed from the water. Water treatment plants are designed for the purpose of "cleaning up" intake water. But the more contaminated the intake water, the more treatment is required, until it eventually becomes extremely costly, and perhaps impossible, to make the water drinkable.
Human activities in water supply watersheds often disrupt natural processes that help maintain the quality of water that "runs off' to a water supply intake. For example:
Removal ofthe natural vegetation, through development onand, agricultural practices, etc., will increase water pollution. Rapid runoff increases the ability of the rainwater to dislodge and carry pollutants into the stream. Natural vegetation will act to slow down the water flow and trap sediment and other contaminants carried in runoff before they reach the water supply stream;
Covering land with impervious surfaces (that is, surfaces that rainwater cannot penetrate, or be absorbed by, such as parking lots, roads, and buildings) will contribute to rapid runoff and the pollution problems associated with it.

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Hazardous or toxic wastes, if not properly stored or disposed of, can be carried into the water supply stre:un by runoff.
Ifleft unchecked, these sorts of activities in a water supply watershed could eventually lead to such severe water contamination problems that the intake water would become untreatable -- and the communities relying on this water supply would have to search for alternative sources of drinking water. Clearly, it would be preferable to plan in advance and prevent this type of situation from developing. That is the intent of the watershed protection criteria: to help local governments plan for the protection of their water supply watersheds
HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE CRITERIA FOR WATER SUPPLY WATERSHEDS APPLY TO YOUR COMMUNITY
If you are n2.t located in a water supply watershed, there is clearly no reason to worry about addressing the watershed protection criteria in your local plan, and you may move on to the sections of this guidebook dealing with wetlands and groundwater recharge areas. To determine if your area is located in a water supply watershed, refer first to Figure 2, which illustrates all of the water supply watersheds located north of the fall line in Georgia. Note that the watersheds on the map are categorized as either "large" or "small" water supply watersheds. A large water supply watershed covers more than 100 square miles ofland area, whereas a small water supply watershed is one that cover less than 100 square miles. (As you will note on page 7, the protection criteria vary according to the size of the watershed.) Because Figure 2 is of small scale, it may be difficult to tell if the boundaries of a particular watershed include your community. Ifit appears that your community is anywhere near one of the watersheds indicated on the map, check with your regional development center (RDC) for a more detailed map to use in determining if you are located within the watershed. If your community is located in a water supply watershed that contains a reservoir, check with your RDC about ownership of the reservoir: the watershed protection criteria do not apply for reservoirs owned by the Army Corps of Engineers. Such federally owned reservoirs are protected from pollution through federal guidelines.

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FIGURE 2
Water Supply Watersheds in Georgia

EI I

o 10

30

SCALE IN MILES

EXISTING RESERVOIR WIS LESS THAN 100 SM PROPOSED RESERVOIR WIS LESS THAN 100 SM
EXISTING INTAKE WIS LESS THAN 100SM PROPOSED RESERVOIR WIS GREATER THAN 100 SM

-C2J
~

Environmental Criteria

If your community is located in the part of Georgia not shown in Figure 2, refer to Table 1 for a list of water supply intakes below the fall line. If your community is located within (approximately) 7 miles of one of the water supply intakes listed in Table 1, check with your RDC to determine if the watershed protection criteria apply to you.

TABLE 1
Water Supply Intakes Located Below the Fall line In Georgia

LOCALITY SERVED

APPROXIMATE LOCATION

Fort Gordon Savannah Waynesboro Central State Hospital (Milledgeville) Milledgeville
Dublin Macon/Bibb County

Savannah River at Butler Creek Savannah River at Abercom Creek
Savannah River at Briar Creek Oconee River at Milledgeville
Oconee River Milledgeville Oconee River at Dublin
OCmulgee River at Macon & Proposed Reservoir on Town Creek

HOW TO ADDRESS THE WATER SUPPLY WATERSHED PROTECTION CRITERIA IN YOUR LOCAL PLAN
Once you have determined that you are located in either a large (covering more than 100 square miles) or small (covering less than 100 square miles) water supply watershed, it will be necessary to take the appropriate protection criteria into account in your local plan. These criteria are summarized in Table 2, on the next page. To use this table, simply find the applicable watershed category in columns 1 and 2, then follow that row across the table to identify the criteria to be addressed in your local plan. Suggested methods for addressing each of these criteria are described below.

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TABLE 2
Watershed Protection Criteria

1
WATER SHED SIZE

2
DOES WATER SHED IN elUDE A RESER
VOIR?

GREATER

THAN

NO

100

SO.MI.

GREATER THAN 100 SO.MI.

YES

LESS

THAN

NO

100

SO.MI.

LESS THAN
100 SO.MI.

YES

3
BUFFER AROUND RESER
VOIR

4

5

6

7

8

BUFFER ON EACH SIDE OF PERENNIAL STREAM

WITHIN 7 MilE RADIUS

OUTSIDE 7 MilE RADIUS

SETBACK ON EACH SIDE OF PERENNIAL STREAM

WITHIN 7 MilE RADIUS

OUTSIDE 7 MilE RADIUS

LIMITATION ON
IMPERVIOUS SURFACE AREA COVERAGE

9
ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

NONE

NONE

NONE

NONE

NONE

NONE

WITHIN 7 MILE RADIUS;
NEW HAZARDOUS MATERIALS HANDLERS MUST PERFORM
OPERATIONS ON IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL & LEAK COLLECTION SYSTEM

150 FT

100 FT

NONE

150 FT

NONE

NONE

WITHIN 7 MILE RADIUS;
NEW HAZARDOUS MATERIALS HANDLERS MUST PERFORM
OPERATIONS ON IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL & LEAK COLLECTION SYSTEM

NONE

100 FT

150 FT

100 FT

50 FT 50 FT

150 FT 150 FT

75 FT 75 FT

25% OF TOTAL WATERSHED LAND AREA
25% OF TOTAL WATERSHED LAND AREA

ENTIRE WATERSHED I~
NEW LANDFILLS MUST HAVE SYNTHETIC LINERS & LEACHATE
COLLECTION SYSTEM
NO NEW HAZARDOUS WASTE TREATMENT OR DISPOSAL FACILITIES
NEW HAZARDOUS MATERIALS HANDLERS MUST PERFORM
OPERATIONS ON IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL & LEAK COLLECTION SYSTEM

Environmental Criteria
Step 1: Map The Applicable Watershed Area
Regardless of whether your community is located in a large or small watershed, with or without a reservoir, a necessary first step in considering the watershed protection criteria in your plan is to map the watershed area, as follows: (Check with your RDC -- it is possible that this map has already been prepared by the RDC or by another local government that is also located in the watershed.)
(1) Using the 1:24,000 scale U.S. Geolo~c Survey CU.S.G.S') Topo~aphic Maps (typically called 7 - 1/2 minute quadrangles) included in the map package provided to each local government by DCA, mark the location of the water supply intake or the boundaries of the water supply reservoir. The specific location of any water supply intakes in your area is available from your RDC or DNR. The boundaries of reservoirs are indicated on the U.S.G.S. maps.
(2) Use a scale to draw a line at a radius of seven miles from the water supply intake or from the boundaries of the reservoir. Note that when the intake is located on a reservoir, the 7-mile radius line should be measured 7 miles out
FIGURE 3a: Mapping the Watershed Area (No Reservoir)
ENDS OF STREAMS (trace out to this point only for water supply watersheds smaller than 100 square miles)
Y FORMED WHERE STREAMS MEET
7-MIlE RADIUS LINE (only upstream from intake)
-'::W~-./-:'--------WATER SUPPLY INTAKE

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FIGURE 3b: Mapping the Watershed Area (With a Reservoir)
ENDS OF STREAMS (troce out to this point only for water supply watersheds smaller than 100 square miles)

~r

"V" FORMED WHERE STREAMS MEET

~ 7-MILE RADIUS LINE ~ (from reservoir boundary)

7'

WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIR

from the nearest boundary of the reservoir, not from the dam or water supply intake point in the reservoir. Ifthe 7-mile radius line extends beyond the maps that were provided by DCA, you will need to contact your RDC for the additional U.S.G.S. maps. (3) Starting from the edges of the reservoir or, if there is no reservoir, from the location of the water supply intake point, trace all streams and tributaries upstream until:
(a) for large water supply watersheds: you reach the 7-mile radius line; Q! (b) for small water supply watersheds: you reach the point where each
stream or tributary ends (i.e., disappears from the map). Be sure to mark the ends of the streams and tributaries clearly on the map. The streams will appear on the U.S.G.S. maps as either solid or dashed blue lines. The solid lines represent perennial streams (flow all year round), while the dashed lines are intermittent streams (do not flow year round). To determine which direction is upstream: the bottom point of the "V"s formed where two stream tributaries meet invariably points downstream, so always go upstream, opposite the direction the "V's are pointing. Again, if the streams ex-

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tend beyond the maps that were provided by DCA, you will need to contact your RDC for the additional U.S.G.S. maps.
Once you have mapped the applicable watershed area, you are ready to consider implementation of each of the recommended watershed protection criteria in your comprehensive plan.
Step 2: Consider Buffer and setback Requirements (Table 2: Columns 3 thru 7)
The watershed protection criteria call for communities to establish buffers along the banks ofwater supply reservoirs and both buffers and setbacks along the perennial streams in the watershed. A buffer is a zone where natural vegetation is left in-
,"
tact. Only uses that minimize disturbance of the natural terrain and vegetation, such as hiking trails and picnic areas, should be permitted in buffer areas. A set-
FIGURE 4: Buffers and Setbacks

back is the minimum distance from the stream banks that any type of structure or impervious surface may be located. The setback also applies for septic tanks and septic tank drain fields. The purpose behind requiring buffers and setbacks is to

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leave an area of natural vegetation that will act to slow down water flow and trap sediment and other contaminants carried in runoff before they reach the water supply stream or reservoir.
In order to identify the areas where the buffer and setback requirements would apply within your local government's jurisdiction:
(1) Refer back to the watershed area map to locate all reservoir boundaries and perennial streams within your local government's jurisdictional boundaries. (Remember that perennial streams appear on the U.S.G.S. maps as ~ blue lines.
(2) Refer to the 7-mile radius line on the watershed area map to determine what portions of the perennial streams located within your jurisdiction are inside, and what portions are outside, the 7-mile radius.
(3) Refer to Table 2 to determine the widths for buffer and setback areas along the water supply reservoir and perennial streams in your jurisdiction. The indicated widths of the buffers and setbacks should be measured outward from the reservoir boundaries or from the banks of the perennial streams, as illustrated in Figure 4.
After you have gone through the steps above, it will be necessary for you to evaluate the need for requiring buffers and setbacks in your jurisdiction, by assessing the likelihood that development will occur in the identified buffer and setback areas. Perhaps these areas are already protected (e.g., reserved as park areas, etc.), or perhaps your area is growing slowly, so there is little threat of these areas developing.
Possible approaches to implementing the buffer and setback requirements include the following:
Use zoning or other land development regulations to specify minimum setbacks and to restrict uses in the buffer areas.
Adopt a special purpose ordinance to specify buffer and setback requirements.
Coordinate with your county health department (the agency which issues septic tank permits) to ensure that septic tanks are not sited in buffer zones.

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Plan public capital improvements (sewer line extensions, roads, etc.) so that development is direc~~d away from buffer/setback areas.
Purchase buffer/setback area lands outright, or encourage another government agency or non-profit land trust organizations (Wilderness Society, etc.) to purchase them. These lands could be used in the public interest for such purposes as wildlife refuges, parks, recreation areas, etc.
Purchase the right to restrict undesirable development of the buffer/setback area properties, for example: (1) buy an easement to the "buffer/setback" part of each property; (2) purchase the development rights to the property; or (3) pay the property owner (possibly by offering property tax exemptions) to place a deed restriction or restrictive covenant on the property, barring future development of the property.
The specific approach that your local government takes to implement buffer and setback requirements should be determined by considering: (1) the financial cost (i.e., what is the cost of implementation and how will it be paid?); (2) the local political environment (i.e., is support for the necessary actions sufficient to outweigh any opposition from affected businesses and property owners?); and (3) the capacity of your community to successfully enforce or administer the program it adopts.
Step 3: Consider Impervious Surface Area Coverage Limits (Table 2: Column 8)
In small water supply watersheds only, the watershed protection criteria call for limitation of impervious surfaces to no more than 25 percent of the total land area in the watershed. This means that buildings, paved parking lots, streets, and other surfaces that water cannot penetrate may not cover more than 25 percent of the land within the watershed. For instance, if a water supply watershed covers a total of 50 square miles, no more than 12.5 square miles (i.e., 25% of 50) of this land area could be covered with buildings, parking lots, streets, and other impervious surfaces. The reason for limiting impervious surface coverage is to reduce the amount of runoff (remember that a higher rate of runoff contributes to pollution ofthe water supply stream) by leaving undisturbed areas in the watershed where rainfall can be absorbed into the ground instead of running off into streams or reservoirs.

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Since the impervious surface area limitation applies for the entire water supply watershed, it will be necessary to map the full extent of the watershed on the U.S.G.S. map started above:
(1) For each stream endpoint that you marked before, scan the map in the area around the marked endpoint to find the nearest endpoint of another stream
FIGURE 5: Mapping the Watershed Boundaries

,/

....

>. STREAMS IN

OTHER

WATERSHEDS

/ WATERSHED BOUNDARY

~

(RIDGE UNE)

,,,,,,,,,,, , , ,,, ,, ,

that has not been marked. This will be a stream that flows into a different watershed. Mark these points in a different color so they can be distinguished from the endpoints of streams in this watershed. (2) Lay a straightedge between each pair of different colored stream endpoints

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and mark the highest elevation topographic line crossed with an "X". This is the ridge line separating the two watersheds. The topographic lines on the U.S.G.S. map appear in brown, with the elevation of the major (darker) lines indicated in brown type somewhere on the line. The intermediate lines (light brown) usually indicate increments of 10 feet, but to be certain, count the number of light brown lines between the dark lines to determine the incre~ ment. (3) Once all ridge lines between pairs of difIerent-colored stream endpoints have been marked, the boundaries of the water supply watershed can be mapped by following the highest elevation path to connect the "X"s on the map(s). This means that you should not simply draw straight lines between the 'X"s, but follow the topographic contours (i.e., ridge lines) so that you minimize the number of topographic lines crossed by your watershed boundary line.
Once you have identified the boundaries of the watershed, you can evaluate the need to implement impervious surface coverage limits as follows: (Note: In most cases the watershed area that is mapped will cross over more than one local government's jurisdictional boundaries, so carrying out the steps below will likely require cooperation between all of the local governments sharing the watershed.)
(1) Estimate the total size of the watershed and determine how much of this area is already covered with impervious surfaces. This determination may have already been made by your RDC or another local government in the watershed. If not, your community will need to determine existing impervious surface coverage by either: a) inspecting recent aerial photographs of the watershed area (check with your RDC to find out what aerial photography is available for your area); b) utilizing information from the local tax assessor's office which may identify sizes and locations of buildings, parking lots, etc.; or
I
c) conducting a windshield survey of the watershed to determine how much area is covered with impervious surfaces. (2) Project future development patterns for the entire watershed in order to determine how they will affect the 25% impermeable surface coverage limitation. To do this you will need to evaluate trends in population and identify where major capital investments by the public sector (roads, sewer line extensions, etc.) and the private sector (subdivisions, office parks, etc.) will likely

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be located. Keep in mind that areas where development will be restricted for other reasons (steep slope;~, wetlands, etc.) can contribute to reducing the impervious surface area coverage ratio.
From the above evaluation you may find that there is little likelihood of ever approaching 25% impervious surface coverage in the watershed, in which case it would not be necessary to implement limitations. On the other hand, your evaluation may make it clear that there will be (or already is) a development density problem in the watershed and, therefore, action will be necessary to limit future impervious surface area coverage.
There are two basic approaches local governments sharing the watershed might take in implementing the 25% impervious surface limitation:
(1) All the local governments within the boundaries of the watershed may agree among themselves on an allocation program for impervious surfaces that yields a net 25% limitation throughout the watershed. This approach would require all the local governments within the watershed to reach a formal impervious surface allocation agreement, and such an agreement would have to be reflected in the comprehensive plan of each participating local government.
(2) Each local government within a watershed may apply the 25% limitation to its jurisdiction individually. This approach does not require negotiations for an allocation system with neighboring local governments, since each city or county would operate by the same 25% standard.
Regardless of which of the above approaches is taken, each city or county must then decide how it will limit impervious surface coverage within its own jurisdiction. The first step is to determine the impervious surface limit that must be applied to new development within the jurisdiction, as follows:
(1) Determine the total land area within your jurisdiction that lies within the watershed and what portion of this area is already developed.
(2) Determine the impervious surface coverage ratio within the developed portion of the watershed, using aerial photographs or one of the other method

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described above. (3) Compute the impervious surface limitation that must be applied to new de-
velopment using the following formula:

Overall

Total land

impervious x area in the

surface

jurisdiction's

limit*

part ofthe

watershed

Impervious Developed coverage x land area + ratio for the in the developed jurisdiction's area ofthe part ofthe watershed watershed

Undeveloped land area in the jurisdiction's part ofthe watershed

Applicable
= impervious
surface . limit

* either 25% or the percentage agreed to by your jurisdiction in a joint allocation agreement.

The above methodology assumes that the impervious surface coverage in the developed portion of the watershed will not increase over time. It will be the local government's responsibility to monitor activity in the developed portion ofits watershed to either: 1) make certain that development which would increase the impervious coverage ratio is not permitted; or 2) if such development is permitted, adjust the allowable impervious surface coverage for new development according to the above formula.

Example: About half ofYawn City's jurisdiction is located in a water supply watershed that the city shares with two counties and three other cities. All of these local governments have reached a joint impervious surface allocation agreement in which Yawn City is allowed an impervious surface coverage limit of 40%. The portion ofYawn City located within the watershed amounts to 5 square miles, of which 2 square miles remains undeveloped. Upon completion of a windshield survey of the area, it is determined that the 3 square miles within Yawn City's portion of the watershed that has already been developed has 45% impervious surface coverage. Therefore, the imper.vious surface coverage limit that Yawn City must establish for the undeveloped portion of its watershed is 32.5%, calculated as follows:

[ .40 x 5 sq. mi.

.45

x 3 sq. mi. ] + 2 sq. mi. = .325

There are two options as to how the local government may apply this impervious surface limitation for new development:
(1) Each new development could be held to the limit. This option assumes that

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the same limitation is reasonable for each new development, regardless ofits < particular characteristics. Under this option, traditional forms of commercial, office and similar development will likely face difficulties in meeting the limitation because these types of development typically cover most of their land parcels with structures, paved parking areas, driveways, etc. (2) Different limitations could be set for different types of development, as long as the overall impervious coverage resulting from all new development does not exceed the required limitation. Under this approach, a community would need to carefully evaluate the types of land uses planned, and establish separate impervious surface limitations for each use. The limitation could be set lower for uses, such as traditional single family residential, that do not normally cover more than 10-15% of their parcels with impervious surfaces, while a higher limit could be permitted for the uses, such as commercial development, that typically cover more of their parcels with impervious surfaces. While this option is more sensitive to different land uses, it will require local governments to: (1) closely adhere to their future land use plans; (2) calculate separate impervious surface ratios for various land uses; and (3) monitor future development in the watershed to ensure that the overall impervious surface limitation is not exceeded.
Possible means to implement the impervious surface limitations include:
Use zoning or other land development regulations to establish minimum lot sizes and maximum lot coverage ratios in the watershed.
Adopt a special purpose ordinance to specify 25% impervious surface limits. Encourage cluster development in the yet-to-be-developed portions of the wa-
tershed through subdivision regulations or other land development controls. Plan public capital improvements (sewer line extensions, roads, etc.) so that
development density is limited in the yet-to-be-developed portions of the watershed.
Step 4: ConSider Implementing The Additional Criteria (Table 2: Column 9)
The additional criteria referenced in column 9 of Table 2 apply only for "new" land-

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fills and hazardous materials facilities and are designed to eliminate the possibility that hazardous pollutants will be transported, by rainfall runoff, to contaminate the drinking water supply. "New" means that you only need to be concerned with facilities that will be constructed after adoption of your comprehensive plan. To determine whether your local government should implement these criteria, you will need to assess the likelihood that these types of facilities will be locating in the watershed area in the future.

New Facilities Which Handle Hazardous Materials

The requirement that new hazardous material handling facilities be located on an impermeable surface and have spill and leak collection systems applies only within the 7 mile radius (mapped above) for large water supply watersheds, but applies to the entire watershed area for small water supply watersheds. To implement this requirement, the following approach is suggested:

(1) Establish a mechanism for identifying prospective new hazardous waste handling facilities planning to locate in the watershed or 7 mile radius area, whichever is applicable. This could be a part of your normal building permit or business license review process, for example. Table 3 lists operations that might qualify as hazardous waste handlers.

TABLE 3
Operations That Typically Handle Hazardous Materials

Building Cleaning and Maintenance Companies
Chemical Manufacturing
Cleaning Agent and Cosmetics
Manufacturing
Construction Companies
Equipment Repair Shops
Freight Terminals/Railroads

Funeral Service Companies Furniture Manufacturing
Laboratories Laundries and Dry Cleaners
Metal Manufacturing Printing Industries
Pesticide Application Companies

Plastics Manufacturing
Textiles and Leather Manufacturing
Vehicle Maintenance Facilities
Vocational School Shops
Wood Preserving and Refinishing

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(2) Refer any prospective hazardous waste handlers identified above to the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources for permitting. EPD will make the determination of whether the facility qualifies as a hazardous waste handler and, if so, will condition issuance of a permit upon such operations being conducted on impermeable surfaces with spill and leak collection systems.
New Landfills
The requirement that new landfills have synthetic liners and leachate collection systems applies only to small water supply watersheds -- for the entire watershed area. Since EPD must issue permits for all new solid waste disposal facilities, all a local government would need to do to implement this requirement is make certain that the required EPD permit is obtained for any new sanitary landfill. EPD will require that any new landfill located in a water supply watershed have a synthetic liner and leachate collection system before issuing a permit for the landfill.
New Hazardous Waste Treatment or Disposal Facilities
The requirement banning new hazardous waste treatment or disposalfacilities applies only to small water supply watersheds -- for the entire watershed area. To implement this requirement it would simply be necessary to ban any new hazardous waste treatment or disposal facilities in the watershed area. This could be done as an amendment to your current zoning ordinance or other land development regulations, for example.

OTHER INFORMATION ABOUT INCLUDING THE WATERSHED PROTECTION CRITERIA IN YOUR LOCAL PLAN
Water Supply Reservoir Management Plans
If your local government owns, or is responsible for the management of, a water supply reservoir, you should include a reservoir management plan as part of your comprehensive plan. It is suggested that, at minimum, this reservoir management

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plan:
(1) Restrict some or all of the following recreational uses in order to protect the water quality of the reservoir: swimming, fishing, boating, docks, pub~ic access.
(2) Maintain a buffer for a distance of 150 feet from all boundaries of the reservOIr.
Exemptions from The Water Supply Watershed Criteria
For both small and large water supply watersheds, local governments may exempt the following from the watershed protection criteria:
(1) Land uses existing prior to adoption of the local plan, although these uses must be considered in implementing the impervious surface limitation, as discussed above.
(2) Mining activities permitted by DNR under the Surface Mining Act. (3) Facilities belonging to utilities (water and sewerage systems, electric power
generation and transport facilities, railroads, telephone facilities, etc.) may be located in buffer and setback zones, provided:
(a) the facility will be located as far from the stream or reservoir bank as reasonably possible;
(b) installation and maintenance of the facility will be carried out in such a manner that the integrity ofthe buffer or setback area is protected as much as reasonably possible; and
(c) the facility will not impair the quality of the drinking water stream. (4) Forestry and agricultural activities may be carried out in buffer and setback
areas, provided: (a) the activity will be consistent with the best management practices established by the Georgia Forestry Commission and the Georgia DepartmentofAgriculture;and (b) the activity will not impair the quality of the drinking water stream.

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Alternative Water Supply Watershed Criteria
All of the local governments located within a particular water supply watershed may jointly apply to DNR for approval of a different set of watershed protection criteria from those discussed above. DNR will approve proposed alternative criteria if these criteria are determined to provide at least an equivalent level of protection as the minimum criteria. If DNR approves the alternative protection criteria, each local government in the watershed may then include these criteria in its comprehensive plan.

SUGGESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO GO BEYOND THE MINIMUM WATER SUPPLY WATERSHED PROTECTION CRITERIA
Remember that the criteria presented above are "minimums," and your local government may choose to go beyond these minimums in the protection of water supply watersheds. Below are some suggestions for exceeding the minimum protection criteria that a local government may wish to consider:
Increase the buffer and setback requirements beyond those suggested in the criteria.
Adopt a local erosion and sedimentation control ordinance establishing land disturbance restrictions (such as requiring use oferosion control methods during construction), or amend your existing ordinance to make it more restrictive.
Adopt an ordinance requiring on-site stormwater management, such as regulations limiting runoff to pre-development runoff rates, requiring developers to utilize detention basins or ponds, infiltration trenches or pits, swales, grade stabilization, or porous pavement.
Improve your street sanitation service by providing more frequent street cleaning, installing storm drain filters during construction, etc.
Offer development incentives (reduced impact fees, tax incentives or exemptions, etc.) for projects that contribute to watershed protection by setting aside buffer areas, providing on-site stormwater management, minimizing land coverage ratios, etc.

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Environmental Criteria
Criteria for Protection of Groundwater Recharge Areas
WHAT IS A GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREA?
For water supply watersheds we were concerned about the portion of rainfall that does not seep into the ground, but "runs off' to the nearest stream. or lake. For groundwater recharge areas the focus is on the rainfall that does seep into the ground.
FIGURE 6: A Groundwater Recharge Area

<-:-::~::"::"::"::.::'::.::'::.::':::.:::':::.:::':~:'.:":"':':..::.':,:..:.:.':.:..:.:r:',:,:'::..:.::.::.::.::If.:,::.:":'::.:'=::.:':::.-,:::.'::~,.::~.,::::.:"::.":,:.~::.'::;.::""::'::.y::..,::.,::_.::~:.::::.::;.>

:::: ::::::::::::::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::: '. ' I t

.. .. .:::: ::::::::::::::::::::: ::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

..'' .''' t '.'t' '.'. ''.' ' '. '' .. ''

,

: : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : : :' RECHARGE '::::::::::::::

::.:','::. :,::,::,::,::,::,::.::.:','::,: . AREA
' . .'. l:t:":.'., ~.;:::::::::.:::::::::::::'::::":::'::~:~:i:.:::.::: .;:: At

', :.':,:.':,:.':,:.':,:.':,:.':,:.'

... '. . A A A ;::::A:A~A ~r,a;+~.,

'~YA.J"'~--SOIL

~ A A A~A~ A~"

__.;__

,;:'

~

).

~

------------- . . . t&~:;_~~.=-=~~---~-~----~8-.::-~l--;_~---~~----~:-~_~---~~---~-:-~_----~'-~-'--.~--:.-.":---_-~----~-----~------~--.-.~-:--_-~--:-~-----.~-.-:-~------~-----~----.~ ~-:---~-...~-".

'

~

--AQUIFER
CONFINING

LAYER

When rainfall seeps into the ground, the portion that is not absorbed by the roots of plants and trees continues to drift downward as groundwater. Groundwater can

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How to Planning Series
move readily through soils and rocks that have large pore spaces (porous), such as sand, gravel, sandstone, or limestone. However, soils and rocks having i'mall pore spaces (non-porous), such as clay, shale, or granite, will retard water movement.
Clearly, as water is pulled downward by the force of gravity, it will move along the path of least resistance: through porous layers of rock or soil and going around nOnporous layers whenever possible, until it comes to a non-porous layer of rock or soil that it cannot get around. This "confining layer" will block further downward movement of the water, so that a groundwater reservoir, of sorts, will form in the porous layers ofsoil or rock above the confining layer. These underground "reservoirs" are called aquifers, and it is from them that we get our groundwater supply (through wells).
The groundwater recharge area is the land area where the water that eventually seeps down into an aquifer first enters the ground (see Figure 6).

WHY SHOULD A GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREA BE PROTECTED?
Ifhazardous or toxic substances pollute the water that seeps into the ground in a recharge area, these pollutants are likely to be carried into the aquifer and contaminate the groundwater, making it unsafe to drink. Once polluted, it is almost impossible for a groundwater source to be cleaned up.
Since 40 percent of Georgia's population gets its drinking water from groundwater sources, we cannot allow our groundwater to become contaminated. That is the intent of the groundwater recharge protection criteria: to help local governments plan for the prevention of groundwater contamination.

HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE CRITERIA FOR GROUNDWATER RECHARGE
AREAS APPLY TO YOUR COMMUNITY
If there are no groundwater recharge areas located in your local government's jurisdiction, there is clearly no reason to be concerned with the criteria for protection of

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Environmental Criteria
groundwater recharge areas, and you may move on to the next section of this guidebook, dealing with wetlands. To determine if there are any groundwater recharge areas in your jurisdiction, refer to the map entitled Most Siwificant Groundwater Rechar~e Areas of Georeia, which is available from your RDC. If any of the recharge areas indicated on this map appear to fall within the boundaries of your ju-
.I
risdiction, it will be necessary for you to address the groundwater protection criteria in your local plan.
HOW TO ADDRESS THE GROUNDWATER RECHARGE PROTECTION CRITERIA IN YOUR LOCAL PLAN
Step 1: Identify All Groundwater Recharge Areas in Your Jurisdiction
You can identify all areas ofyour community where the groundwater recharge protection criteria apply by referring to the Most Sienificant Groundwater Recham Areas of Georgia map (1:500,000 scale) mentioned above; or, if more detail is needed, 1:100,000 scale maps of groundwater recharge areas will be available from DNR after late 1991. For each recharge area within your jurisdiction, you will need to refer to the Georgia Pollution Susceptibility Map (also available from your RDC) to identify whether the recharge area has high, medium, or low pollution susceptibility. If there is more than one groundwater recharge area located in your jurisdiction, determine the pollution susceptibility ranking for each of these recharge areas separately.
The criteria for protection of groundwater recharge areas are summarized in Table 4, on the next two pages. To use this table, simply find the applicable pollution susceptibility ranking for ~ recharge area in column 1, then follow that row across both pages of the table to identify the criteria to be addressed in your plan for that particular recharge area. Suggested methods for addressing each of these criteria are described on the following pages.

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'IIIII~

Ullla~

TABLE 4

....1...1_-_1---1--_ 1--1.-I-t.- - -G-ro-un-dw-at-er-Re-ch-a-rge-P-ro-tec-ti-on-C-rite-ri-a - -

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

WASTE DISPOSAL SITES

HANDLING OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

POLLUTION SUSCEPTABILITY

NEW SANITARY LANDFILLS

NEW AGRICULTURAL
WASTE IMPOUNDMENT
SITES

LAND DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS
WASTES

NEW OPERATIONS WHICH HANDLE HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

NEW FACILITIES FOR TREATMENT,
STORAGE, OR DISPOSAL OF HAZARDOUS
WASTES

NEW ABOVE GROUND
CHEMICAL OR PETROLEUM STORAGE TANKS (LARGER THAN 660 GALLONS)

HIGH

MUST HAVE SYNTHETIC LINERS
AND LEACHATE COLLECTION SYSTEM

LINERS REQUIRED (ALL SITES)

NOT PERMITIED

MUST PERFORM OPERATIONS ON
IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL AND LEAK COLLECTION
SYSTEM

MUST PERFORM OPERATIONS ON
IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL AND LEAK COLLECTION
SYSTEM

MUST HAVE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT FOR 110% OF TANK VOLUME OR
110% OF LARGEST TANK IN
A CLUSTER

MEDIUM

MUST HAVE SYNTHETIC LINERS
AND LEACHATE COLLECTION SYSTEM

LINERS REQUIRED
IF SITE EXCEEDS 15 ACRE-FEET

NOT PERMITIED

MUST PERFORM OPERATIONS ON
IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL AND LEAK COLLECTION
SYSTEM

MUST PERFORM OPERATIONS ON
IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL AND LEAK COLLECTION
SYSTEM

MUST HAVE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT FOR 110% OF TANK VOLUME OR
110% OF LARGEST TANK IN
A CLUSTER

LOW

MUST HAVE SYNTHETIC LINERS
AND LEACHATE COLLECTION SYSTEM

LINERS REQUIRED
IF SITE EXCEEDS 50 ACRE-FEET

NOT PERMITIED

MUST PERFORM OPERATIONS ON
IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL AND LEAK COLLECTION
SYSTEM

MUST PERFORM OPERATIONS ON
IMPERMEABLE PAD HAVING A SPILL AND LEAK COLLECTION
SYSTEM

MUST HAVE SECONDARY CONTAINMENT FOR 110% OF TANK VOLUME OR
110% OF LARGEST TANK IN
It. "'I IIC"''T-n

'IIIII~
Ullla~

TABLE 4

....1..1_--1--1---_ 1---1.--I-t.- - -G-ro-un-dw-at-er-Re-ch-ar-ge-P-ro-tec-tio-n-C-rite-ri-a - -

1

8

9

10

11

12

13

WATER HOLDING BASINS

SEPTIC TANKS

POLLUTION SUSCEPTABILITY

NEW WASTEWATER
TREATMENT BASINS
(EXCLUDING MINING SETTLEMENT BASINS)

STORM WATER INFILTRATION
BASINS

WASTEWATER SPRAY
IRRIGATION SYSTEMS OR LAND
SPREADING OF WASTEWATER
SLUDGES

MINIMUM LOT SIZE

NEW HOMES SERVED BY
SEPTIC TANKS

NEW MOBILE HOME PARKS
SERVED BY SEPTIC TANKS

NEW SEPTIC TANK
SYSTEMS

HIGH

IMPERMEABLE LINER REQUIRED

NOT PERMITTED

CONSERVATIVE DESIGN IN
ACCORDANCE WI "DNR CRITERIA" FOR SLOW RATE LAND TREATMENT
REQUIRED

150% OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES SPECIFIED IN TABLE 5

150% OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES SPECIFIED IN TABLE 6

MUST HAVE APPROVAL OF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS
MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF "DHR MANUAL"

MEDIUM

NO REQUIREMENTS

NO REQUIREMENTS

NO REQUIREMENTS

125% OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES SPECIFIED IN TABLE 5

125% OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES SPECIFIED IN TABLE 6

MUST HAVE APPROVAL OF COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS
MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF "DHR MANUAL"

LOW

NO REQUIREMENTS

NO REQUIREMENTS

NO REQUIREMENTS

110%OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES SPECIFIED IN TABLE 5

110% OF MINIMUM LOT SIZES SPECIFIED IN TABLE 6

MUST HAVE APPROVAL OF . COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT AS
MEETING REQUIREMENTS OF "DHR MANUAL"

How to Planning Series
Step 2: Consider Regulation of Waste Disposal Sites (Table 4: Columns 2 Thru 4)
The criteria for waste disposal sites are designed to prevent the possibility that pollutants from waste disposal sites will be picked up and carried by groundwater to an aquifer where they could contaminate the groundwater supply. They apply o:hly to new waste disposal facilities, where "new" means that you only need to be concerned with facilities that will be constructed after adoption of your comprehensive plan. To determine whether your local government should implement these criteria, you will need to assess the likelihood that these types of facilities will be locating in your groundwater recharge areas in the future.
New Sanitary Landfills (Table 4: Column 2)
The requirement that new sanitary landfills have synthetic liners and leachate collection systems can be easily implemented; however, it will add significantly to the cost of developing a new landfill. Since the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) ofDNR must issue permits for all new sanitary landfills, all that your local government would need to do to implement this requirement is to make certain that any new sanitary landfill locating in your jurisdiction obtains the required EPD permit. EPD will require that any new landfill located in a groundwater recharge area have a synthetic liner and leachate collection system before issuing a permit for the landfill.
New Agricultural Waste Impoundment Sites (Table 4: Column 3)
The U.S. Soil Conservation Service (SCS) provides assistance to agricultural waste disposers in obtaining necessary permits and in the design of appropriate waste impoundment sites. Therefore, to implement this requirement for liners at new agricultural waste impoundment sites a local government should ensure that prospective owners of these sites (identified as part of your local building permit process, for example) consult with SCS before development of the site is approved. SCS is familiar with this requirement, and will see to it that the required compacted-clay liners are used at agricultural waste impoundment sites located in groundwater recharge areas.

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Land Disposal of Hazardous Wastes (Table 4: Column 4)
Since EPD must issue permits for all land disposal of hazardous wastes, they will enforce this requirement banning disposal of hazardous wastes in groundwater recharge areas. All that a local government would need to do to implement this re-
I
quirement is to identify any hazardous waste disposal operations in your jurisdiction and make certain that they are in possession ofthe appropriate EPD permits.
Step 3: Consider Regulation of Hazardous Materials Facilities (Table 4: Columns 5 Thru 7)
The criteria for hazardous materials facilities are designed to eliminate the possibility that spilled or leaked hazardous substances could seep down into an aquifer where they would contaminate the groundwater supply. As in Step 2, local govern-
ments need not apply these criteria to "new" facilities developed prior to adoption of
their comprehensive plan. To determine whether these criteria should be implemented by your local government, it will be necessary to assess the likelihood that these types of facilities will be locating in your groundwater recharge areas in the future.
New Facilities Which Handle Hazardous Materials or Wastes (Table 4: Columns 5 & 6)
The requirement that new hazardous material handling facilities and new facilities for the treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous wastes must be located on an impermeable surface and have spill and leak collection systems could be implemented by your local government as follows:
(1) Establish a mechanism for identifying prospective new facilities of these types that are planned to be located in the groundwater recharge areas in your jurisdiction. This could be a part of your normal building permit or business license review process, for example. Table 3 lists operations that might qualify as hazardous waste handlers. Facilities for treatment, storage, or disposal of the hazardous by-products of operations, such as those listed in Table 3, would also qualify.
(2) Refer any prospective hazardous materials or waste handlers to EPD for per-

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a hazardous materials or waste handler and, if so, require that such operations be conducted on impermeable surfaces with spill and leak collection systems before issuing a permit to the facility.
New Chemical or Petroleum Storage Tanks (Table 4: Column 7)
The requirement of secondary containment for chemical or petroleum storage tanks applies only to new above-ground tanks that have a capacity of at least 660 gallons, excluding those used strictly for agricultural purposes. It calls for such tanks to have secondary containment for 110 percent of tank volume, or 110 percent of the volume of the largest tank in a cluster of tanks. To implement this requirement, it would simply be necessary to make 110 percent secondary containment a legal requirement in the recharge areas within your jurisdiction. This could be done as an amendment to your current zoning ordinance or other land development regulations, for example.
Step 4: Consider RegUlation Of Water Holding Basins (Table 4: Columns 8 And 9)
The criteria for water holding basins are designed to prevent the possibility that pollutants in wastewater treatment basins or stormwater holding basins will be able to seep down into an aquifer and contaminate the groundwater supply. As in Steps 2 and 3, local governments need not apply these criteria to facilities developed prior to adoption of their comprehensive plan. To determine whether these criteria should be implemented by your local government, it will be necessary to assess the likelihood that these types of facilities will be located in your groundwater recharge areas in the future.
New Wastewater Treatment Basins (Table 4: Column 8)
The requirement that new wastewater treatment basins have impermeable liners applies only to basins located in recharge areas of high pollution susceptibility. Since EPD must issue permits for all new wastewater treatment facilities, all that a local government would need to do to implement this requirement is to make certain that any new wastewater treatment basins locating in your jurisdiction obtain

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the required EPD permit. EPD will require any new wastewater treatment basin locating in a high pollution susceptibility recharge area to havp- an impermeable liner before issuing a permit for the facility.
New Stormwater Infiltration Basins (Table 4: Column 9)
The requirement banning new stormwater infiltration basins applies only to recharge areas of high pollution susceptibility. To implement this requirement it would simply be necessary to ban any new stormwater infiltration basins in high pollution susceptibility recharge areas. This could be done as an amendment to your existing zoning ordinance or other land development regulations, for example.
Step 5: Consider Regulation Of Wastewater Irrigation Systems (Table 4: Column 10)
The criteria for wastewater irrigation systems and land spreading of wastewater sludges are designed to prevent the possibility that pollutants will seep down into an aquifer and contaminate the groundwater supply. As in Steps 2 through 4, local governments need not apply this criterion to systems installed prior to adoption of their comprehensive plan. To determine whether this requirement should be implemented by your local government, it will be necessary to assess whether these types of activities are likely to occur in the high pollution susceptibility recharge areas within your jurisdiction. Since EPD must issue permits for wastewater irrigation systems and for land spreading of wastewater sludges, all that a local government would need to do to implement these requirements is make certain that anyone conducting these activities in your jurisdiction obtain the required EPD permit. EPD will determine if the use of wastewater irrigation or wastewater sludges will take place in a high pollution susceptibility recharge area and, if so, will place the necessary restrictions on this activity before issuing a permit.
Step 6: Consider Stricter Regulation Of Septic Tanks (Table 4: Columns 11 Thru 13)
The criteria for regulation of septic tanks are designed to prevent the possibility that septic tank wastes will seep down into an aquifer in sufficient quantity to con-

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taminate the groundwater supply. As in Steps 2 through 5, local governments need not apply these criteria to septic tank systems installed prior to adoption of their comprehensive plan. To determine whether these criteria should be implemented by your local government, it will be necessary to assess the likelihood that septictank-dependent development will occur within your groundwater recharge areas at densities greater than those specified in the minimum lot size requirements below.
Minimum Lot Sizes (Table 4: Columns 11 and 12)
The criteria for minimum lot sizes apply only for new residential or mobile home development located in groundwater recharge areas, provided the new homes are to be served by septic tank sewerage treatment systems. The minimum lot size recommended for a particular site is determined by using Tables 5 and 6 and multiplying by a factor which varies depending on the pollution susceptibility of the recharge area. This method for determining minimum lot size can yield up to sixty different minimum lot size requirements within a single groundwater recharge area. It is therefore recommended that your local government keep things simple by specifying, for each separate recharge area within its jurisdiction, one minimum lot size for new homes and one minimum lot size for mobile homes, determined as follows:
(1) Using the U.S. Soil Conservation Service Soil Survey Map (provided in the map package provided by DCA), identify every different soil type within the recharge area. Refer to Appendix A to match each of these soil types with its soil grouping (i.e., numbers 1 through 5). The largest soil grouping number found will be used to determine the required minimum lot size for the entire recharge area.
(2) Through site inspection, or by using U.S. Geologic Survey Topographic Maps, determine a maximum slope range for the recharge area: 0-5%,5-15%, 1525%, or 25-35%.
(3) Use either Table 5 (for regular homes) or Table 6 (for mobile homes) to find a usual (i.e., ifit were not located in a groundwater recharge area) minimum lot size for the recharge area.
(4) Multiply the usual minimum lot size by: (a) 150% ifit is located in a recharge area of high pollution susceptibility; (b) 125% ifit is located in a recharge area of medium pollution susceptibil-

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TABLE 5
SINGLE FAMILV HOME Minimum Lot Sizes (Square Feet) Where Served by On-Site Septic Tank Systems

SLOPE

SOIL GROUPING (SEE APPENDIX A)

OF LOT

(%)

1

2

3

4

5

0-5

30,000

39,000

48,000

51,000

60,000

5-15

33,000

42,000

51,000

54,000

66,000

15-25

36,000

45,000

54,000

57,000

N/A

25-35

39,000

48,000

57,000

60,000

NJA

SOURCE: DHB Manual for On-Site Sewerage Management Systems

SLOPE OF LOT
(%)
0-5

TABLE 6
MOBILE HOME Minimum Lot Sizes (Square Feet) Where Served by On-Site Septic Tank Systems

SOIL GROUPING (SEE APPENDIX A)

1

2

3

4

10,000

13,000

16,000

17,000

5 20,000

5-15

11,000

14,000

17,000

18,000

22,000

15-25

12,000

15,000

18,000

19,000

N/A

25-35

13,000

16,000

19,000

20,000

N/A

SOURCE: PHS Manual for On-Site Seweraoe Manaoement Systems

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ity; or (c) 110% ifit is located in a recharge area of low pollution susceptibility. to determine a required minimum lot size for the recharge area.
Example: A particular recharge area has medium pollution susceptibility, contains two soil types: "Decatur" and "Jefferson," and the maximum slope within the area is determined to be between 5 and 15 percent. From Appendix A, the Decatur soil type is found to fall into Group 3, while Jefferson falls into group 2. Therefore, the largest soil grouping number for the recharge area is 3. Reading from Table 5, the usual minimum lot size for a single family home is 51,000 square feet. And from Table 6, the usual minimum lot size for a mobile home is 17,000 square feet. Multiplying these numbers by 125% (for medium pollution susceptibility recharge areas) yields a required minimum lot size of 63,750 square feet for single family homes and 21,250 square feet for mobile homes.
These minimum lot size requirements could be implemented as an amendment to your existing zoning ordinance, subdivision regulations, or other land development regulations. As an alternative, your local government could adopt a special purpose ordinance to implement these requirements and coordinate with the county health department (which must approve all septic tank installations) for enforcement.
New Septic Tank Systems (Table 4: Column 13)
The requirement that new septic tank systems have approval of the county health department, which must certify that the system meets the minimum lot size requirements discussed above as well as the requirements of the Department ofHuman Resources' Manual for On Site Sewera~ Management Systems. applies for all groundwater recharge areas, regardless of pollution susceptibility. Since county health department approval for installation of all septic tank systems is already mandatory, all that is needed to implement this requirement is appropriate coordination between the county health department and the local government to make certain that all new residential development using septic tanks obtain the' necessary permits from the health department.

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SUGGESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO GO BEYOND THE MINIMUM GROUNDWATER RECHARGE AREA PROTECTION CRITERIA

Remember that the criteria presented above are "minimums," and your local gov-

ernment

may

choose

to

go

beyond

these

minimums

in

the

prote. ction

of

groundwater ,

recharge areas. Listed below are some suggestions for exceeding the minimum pro-

tection criteria that a local government may wish to consider:

Use zoning, other land development regulations, or simply adopt a special ordinance to prohibit land uses in recharge areas that pose a threat to aquifer water quality. These prohibited uses should certainly include those identified in the criteria above, such as waste disposal sites, water holding basins, septic tanks, hazardous material handling operations/facilities, etc.
Plan public capital improvements (sewer line extensions, roads, etc.) so that development is directed away from critical recharge areas.
Purchase critical recharge area lands outright, or encourage another government agency or non-profit land trust organization (e.g., Wilderness Society, etc.) to do so. These lands could be used in the public interest for such purposes as wildlife refuges, parks, recreation areas, etc.
Purchase the right to restrict development on critical recharge area properties, for example: (1) purchase the development rights to the property; or (2) pay the property owner (possibly by offering property tax exemptions) to place a deed restriction or restrictive covenant on the property, limiting future development of the property.
Offer development incentives (reduced impact fees, tax incentives or exemptions, etc.) for projects that contribute to recharge area protection by setting aside critical recharge areas (as passive parks/recreational areas, for instance), using large lot sizes (where septic tanks will be used), prohibiting hazardous uses from the development, etc.

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WETLANDS PROTECTION CRITERIA
WHAT ARE WETLANDS?
Wetlands are areas that are flooded or saturated by surface or groundwater often and long enough to grow vegetation adapted for life in water-saturated soil. Some wetlands are easy to see, but others are not. This is because a wetland does not have to be flooded or saturated for more than one week of the year in order to develop the vegetation and soil characteristics that qualify it as a wetland.
Wetlands range from those that are flooded year-round: lakes, ponds, or other bodies ofopen water, streams, rivers, creeks, swamps and marshes; to those that may be flooded only a part of the year: intermittent streams, bogs, springs, bottomland forests, pine flatwoods, wet meadows and sinkholes.
In previous reading about wetlands, you may have come across the term "jurisdictional wetlands." This simply refers to areas that the federal government officially considers to be wetlands for purposes of administration of the Clean Water Act of 1977, which is discussed on page 39.
WHY SHOULD WETLANDS BE PROTECTED?
Although wetlands were once thought to be wastelands that only provided a breeding ground for insects and diseases, they have since been found to provide many benefits to man and the environment. Among these benefits are:
Flood Protection. Since flooding has been the driving force in creating wetlands, most wetlands naturally serve as temporary holding areas for flood waters, thereby protecting downstream property from flood damage.
Erosion Control. Wetlands that are located between lakes or streams and land help protect the land from soil erosion because the wetland vegetation acts to reduce (through friction) the strength of waves and water flow that hit

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Environmental Criteria
the shoreline while the roots of the wetland vegetation help to bind soil in place. Water Quality Maintenance. Wetlands located between land and water bodies or streams serve as natural water filters by intercepting runoff from land before it reaches the water and trapping wastes and sediments that would
i
otherwise pollute the water body. Water Supply. During droughts, the water stored in wetlands frequently be-
comes a crucial source of supply, augmenting the base flow of streams. Natural Habitat. Wetlands are critical to maintaining important fish and
waterfowl populations. Many species spend their entire lives in wetlands, while others use wetlands for reproduction and nursery grounds. Natural Products. Among the wealth of natural products produced by wetlands are timber, fish and shellfish, wild rice and berries. Recreation. Wetlands offer a number of recreational opportunities, including hunting and fishing, hiking, nature observation, and boating.
Clearly, these are benefits that we cannot afford to lose, but if wetlands are not protected from development, we could easily lose them. It is estimated that over 54 percent ofthe wetlands that originally existed in the U.S. have already disappeared due to unplanned development in wetland areas. With a little planning, the wetlands that remain can be preserved so that their benefits continue to accrue for future generations. That is the intent of the wetlands protection criteria: to help local governments plan for protection of these valuable wetland resources.
HOW TO DETERMINE IF THE CRITERIA FOR WETLANDS APPLY TO YOUR COMMUNITY
If you do not have any wetlands in your jurisdiction, there is clearly no reason to worry about addressing the wetlands protection criteria in your local plan. To determine if there are any wetlands located within your jurisdiction, there are two sources you can check. One is the National Wetlands Inventory (NWI) Map, which will be included in the map package provided by DCA, if available (NWI maps are not available for the entire state). The other source for identifying wetlands in your

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jurisdiction is the Georlida Wetlands Database, developed by DNR, which is available in map form from your RDC for all areas of the state. If possible, you should check both of these sources to determine if there are wetlands in your jurisdiction, since both have accuracy limitations. Ifeither the NWI map or the Wetlands Database indicate wetlands in your jurisdiction, it will be necessary for you to address the wetlands protection criteria in your local plan. Suggested methods for addressing these criteria are described below.
HOW TO ADDRESS THE WETLANDS PROTECTION CRITERIA IN YOUR LOCAL PLAN
Step 1: Map All Wetlands in Your Jurisdiction
Once you have determined in general that there are wetlands within your jurisdiction (above), a necessary first step in considering the criteria for protection of these areas is to map the locations of these wetlands. For convenience you should probably use the NWI maps or the DNR Wetlands Database, discussed above, for this purpose, even though these maps have accuracy limitations (particularly the Wetlands Database). If your local government is particularly concemed about precisely identifying wetlands within its jurisdiction, you may wish to supplement these maps with field observations by a professional capable of making a determination of whether an area actually qualifies as a wetland.
The criteria for wetlands protection give local governments the flexibility of choosing a "minimum area" to be used for mapping wetlands within the jurisdiction. For example, if you choose a minimum area of one acre, any particular wetland that covers less than one acre could be left off your map oflocal wetlands. It is totally up to your local government to choose what size minimum area to utilize, although the criteria suggest that this minimum area should not exceed five acres.
Once you have chosen a minimum area, use the maps discussed above and/or field observation to identify and map all wetland areas that are larger than your established minimum area.

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.
Step 2: Consider Coordinating with the Federal Section 404 Permitting Program to Protect Your Wetlands
Section 404 of the Clean Water Act of 1977 prohibits the discharge of dredge or fill materials into the water bodies or wetlands of the United States unless a permit is granted. Since almost any construction activity in a wetland ~ea would involve placement of fill material, it should be assumed that a Section 404 permit should be obtained for all such activity. Therefore, any development projects in areas indicated as wetlands on the NWI maps should be referred to the Army Corps ofEngineers, which administers the Section 404 permitting program. The Corps will make a determination of whether a Section 404 Permit will be required for the project and, if so, will review the project's impact on wetlands and make a decision to either:
Issue a permit ifthe wetland impact ofthe project is minimal. Deny a permit if the project will have a significant negative impact on any
wetlands and there are no less environmentally damaging practical alternatives. Issue a permit for a less environmentally damaging alternative to the project. This means that the Corps would suggest ways the project should be changed to minimize the impact on wetlands or, as a mitigation measure, require the developer to create new wetlands to replace those affected by the project.
One option for protecting your local wetlands is to "piggy back" with the Section 404 permit program by establishing a mechanism for identifying development projects that may impact on wetlands so that they can be referred to the Army Corps of Engineers for Section 404 permitting. Following are suggested methods for accomplishing this:
Ifyou already have a local building permit/inspection program, simply require that a Section 404 Permit be obtained for applicable projects in wetland areas before a building permit can be granted. Also make certain that your code enforcement officials have copies 'Of the local wetlands maps and are familiar with the Section 404 Permit requirements, so they will know when to refer a particular project to the Army Corps of Engineers for permitting.

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Adopt an ordinance requiring land disturbance permits for all development. This will give the local official(s) responsible fo~ enforcement of your land development regulations an opportunity to identify projects that may impact wetlands.
If you do not currently have local land development regulations or enforcement mechanisms of any kind, you could still train your regular law enforcement officials about the locations of wetlands in your jurisdiction and the Section 404 requirements, so they will be able to identify any activity that might require a Section 404 permit and make the appropriate referral.
Step 3: Identify Significant Wetlands
The next step is to make an assessment of whether any ofthe wetlands you mapped above are sufficiently significant to require local protection measures over and above the federal Section 404 permitting requirements. To determine if a wetland qualifies as "significant," you should at least consider the following questions:
Is the area unique in conservation of flora and fauna (containing endangered species)?
Does the area contain significant historic or archaeological resources that would be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places?
Would alteration of the wetlands have a measurable adverse impact on adjacent sensitive natural areas?
Were the wetlands created for mitigation purposes under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act?
If the answer to any of the above questions is yes, the area should be considered a "significant" wetland, one which you may want to consider for special protection measures by your local government, as discussed below.
Step 4: Consider Restricting Land Uses in Significant Wetlands
If you found (above) that you have significant wetlands in your jurisdiction, among the "special protection measures" you may want to implement are land use restrictions in these areas. To determine if a particular land use should be restricted in

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Environmental Criteria

significant wetlands, evaluate the following:

Will the land use lead to permanent alteration of the wetlands that will nega-

tively affect its natural functions (water quality maintenance, erosion control,

etc.)?



I

Will the use cause permanent alteration of the wetlands that will negatively

affect its fishing and recreational uses?

Will the impact of the land use be temporary in nature?

Any land uses for which the answer to either 1 or 2 above is "yes" md the answer to
3 is "no," should probably be restricted or limited within the significant wetlands in your jurisdiction. Uses such as hazardous and sanitary waste landfills, receiving areas for toxic or hazardous waste or other contaminants, and high density development that involves "paving over" wetland areas would clearly be unacceptable for significant wetland areas. However, there are many other uses that might prove quite appropriate for significant wetlands, such as: timber production and harvesting, wildlife preserves and fisheries, wastewater treatment, recreation, natural water treatment and purification, etc.

Possible approaches a local government could take to implement land use restrictions in its significant wetland areas include:

Use of zoning or other land development regulations to restrict or prohibit development in the wetland areas.
Modifying your subdivision regulations to require the set-aside of wetlands and cluster development in non-wetland areas.

Other special protection measures that your local government may want to implement to protect its significant wetlands are addressed below.

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SUGGESTIONS IF YOU WANT TO GO BEYOND THE MINIMUM WETLANDS PROTECTION CRITERIA
Remember that the criteria presented above are "minimums," and a local government may choose to go beyond these minimums in the protection of significant wetlands. Below are some suggestions for exceeding the minimum protection criteria that a local government may wish to consider:
Plan public capital improvements (sewer line extensions, roads, etc.) so that development is directed away from wetland areas.
Purchase wetland areas outright. or encourage another government agency or non-profit land trust organizations (Wilderness Society, etc.) to do so. These lands could be used in the public interest for such purposes as wildlife refuges, parks, recreation areas, etc.
Purchase the right to restrict development of wetland properties, for example: (1) buy only an easement to the critical part of the property; (2) purchase the development rights to the property; or (3) pay the property owner (possibly by offering property tax exemptions) to put a deed restriction or restrictive covenant on the property, limiting future development of the property.
Offer development incentives (reduced impact fees, tax incentives or exemptions, etc.) for projects that contribute to wetlands protection through setting aside wetland areas for passive park/recreational uses, etc.

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CONCLUSION
This guidebook has presented a step-by-step approach local governments may use in
addressing the environmental planning criteria in their comprehensive plans. It is
hoped that following this process will prove to be a relatively simple and painless way for local governments to accomplish this very important task.
It is important that all of Georgia's communities undertake this process as a part of planning for their future: that they identify these environmentally sensitive areas within their jurisdictions and make a determination of what they need to do to protect them. We cannot afford to contaminate or destroy our water supply sources and wetlands -- our very survival depends on them. And who is better able to protect these vital resources than the local governments that have jurisdiction over them and rely upon them daily?
If, after reviewing this guidebook, you still have questions or concerns about the environmental planning criteria, contact your RDC. They are prepared to help with .addressing these criteria in your plan.

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APPENDIX A
Soil Groupings for Use with Minimum Lot Size Tables

GROUPl
CWell drained to excessively drained
soils with percolation rat.... from <5 to 10 min./in.}
Ailey Americus Blaney Blanton Bonitay Bonneau Cainhoy (Galestown, Palm Beach) Eustis Flomation Foxworth Fripp Fuquay (Norfolk &: Tifton thick
surface; Lakeland Shallow Haywood Kershaw (Lakewood) Kureb Lakeland (Huckabee) Louisburg Lucy Molena Paola Troup Valdosta Wagram Wicksburg
GROUP 2 (Well drained to moderately welldrained soils with percolation rates from 10 to 30 min./in.)
Allen Bodine Brevard Brookshire Cahaba Chandler Citico Clarendon DeKalb Edneyville Etowah <Nolichuncky) Euharlee Eunola Evard Faceville Fullerton Goldsboro Haywood Irvington lzagora Jefferson Johns Kalmia Linker Lockhart

Louisa Lowndes Masada Maxton Nella Norfolk Orangeburg Porters Red Bay (Ruston) Sequatchie Stilson TIfton Tusquitee Wedowee Wickham
GROUP 3 (Well drained to moderately welldrained soils with percolation rates
from 30 to 60 min.I in. Also
includes somewhat poorly drained soils with percolation rates from 5 to 30
min.lin.)
Albany Ardilla Bartha Braddock Bradson Capshaw Carnegie Centenary Chipley Decatur Dillard Dothan Durham Echaw Fannin Greenville (Magnolia) Grover Holston Hornsville Kanapana Leefield (Klej shallow, Lynchburg
thick surface) Leesburg Locust Lynchburg Ocilla Minvale Mountview Olustee (ana) Pattsburg Rigdon Rome Seneca Shack (Clarksville> Shelocta Shouns Suffolk Tate

Tatum Tellico Tidings Varina
GROUP 4 (Well drained to moderately welldrained soils with percolationl rates from 60 to 90 min. lin. Also poorly drained soils with moderate percolation rates from 10 to 15 min./in.)
Chestatee Colbert Cowarts Cunningham Cuthbert Davidson Dewey (Muse) Dogue Duplin Dyke Enders Enon Farragut Georgeville Gilead Hayesville Herndon Hulett Kolomoki Leon Litz Lynn Haven Madarin Mascotte Medarin Nankin Nason Rabun Sapelo Sawyer St. Johns Sequoia Shubuta Steekee Waynesboro
GROUPS (Poorly drained soils that have water table very near the surface with percolation rates from 5 to 10 min. lin.)
Alapaha Pelham Plummer Riceboro

SOURCE: DHR Manual for On-Site Sewerage Management Systems

APPENDIX B
Glossary

Aquifer

An underground reservoir of groundwater from which water can be drawn by a well or natural spring.

Buffer

A zone, along the banks of a stream or lake, where the natural vegetation is left intact to help protect the stream or lake from pollution carried by rainfall runoff.

DCA

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs.

DNR

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

EPD

Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Impermeable Something (such as a layer of rock) that water cannot pass through or be absorbed by.

Impervious A surface that rainwater cannot penetrate, or be absorbed by, such as a

Surface

parking lot, road, or building).

Intake

The point at which water is withdrawn from a stream or lake to be sent to a treatment plant.

RDC

Refers to one of the 18 Regional Development Centers that provide planning services for the local governments in their region of the state.

Recharge Area

The land area where the water that eventually seeps down into an aquifer first enters the ground.

Setback

An established minimum distance from the stream or lake banks that any type of structure or impervious surface may be located.

Water Supply The area ofland whose rainfall "runoff' drains into a stream or lake at Watershed points upstream of a water supply intake.

Watershed

For a particular stream or lake, the area of land whose rainfall "runoff' drains into that stream or lake.

Wetlands

Areas which are flooded or saturated by surface or groundwater often and long enough to grow vegetation adapted for life in water-saturated soil.

REFERENCES
America's Wetlands: Our Vital Link Between Land and Water, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, D.C., 1988.
Georgia Water Resources: Issues and Options, James E. Kundell, Editor, Institute of Government, University of Georgia, 1980.
Local Groundwater Protection, Martin Jaffe & Frank DiNovo, American Planning Association, Chicago, illinois, 1984.
Notification of Regulated Waste Activity, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Solid Waste, Washington, D.C., 1990.
Planning and Land Use Management for Drinking Water Source Protection: A National Overview of Problems and Practices, Raymond J. Burby, Edward J. Kais~r, Todd L. Miller, and David H. Moreau, Center for Urban and Regional Studies, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1982.
Proceedings of the 1991 Georgia Water Resources Conference, Kathryn J. Hatcher, Editor, The University of Georgia, 1991.
Protecting Nontidal Wetlands, David G. Burke, Erik J. Meyers, Ralph W. Tiner, Jr. & Hazel Groman, American Planning Association, Chicago, illinois, 1988.
Watershed Protection: A Guidebook for Georgia, Gail M. Cowie & James L. Cooley, Institute of Community & Area Development, University of Georgia, 1988.
Watershed Protection: Building A Local Program, Gail M. Cowie & James L. Cooley, Institute of Community & Area Development, University of Georgia, 1989.
Wetlands Action Plan: EPA's Short-term Agenda in Response to Recommendations of The National Wetlands Policy Forum, United States Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, D.C., 1989.
Wetlands and 404 Permits: Fact Sheets, Kim D. Coder, Extension Forest Resources, University of Georgia, 1990.

~:-,
DCA
Georgia Department of Community Affairs 1200 Equitable Building 100 Peachtree Street Atlanta, Georgia 30303