Suwannee Satilla regional water plan

REGIONAL WATER PLAN
June 2017

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents

Table of Contents
Executive Summary ...................................................................................ES-1
1. Introduction ...................................................................................................1-1 1.1. The Significance of Water Resources in Georgia .............................1-2 1.2. State and Regional Water Planning Process ....................................1-2 1.3. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region Vision and Goals.....1-3
2. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region.............................................2-1 2.1. History and Geography .....................................................................2-1 2.2. Characteristics of Region ..................................................................2-3 2.3. Local Policy Context..........................................................................2-5
3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region.......................................3-1 3.1. Current Major Water Use in Region ..................................................3-1 3.2. Current Conditions Resource Assessments .....................................3-1 3.2.1. Current Surface Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity).........3-3 3.2.2. Surface Water Availability .....................................................3-6 3.2.3. Current Groundwater Availability...........................................3-8 3.3. Current Ecosystem Conditions and Instream Uses ..........................3-9
4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs .................................................4-1 4.1. Municipal Forecasts ..........................................................................4-2 4.2. Industrial Forecasts...........................................................................4-5 4.3. Agricultural Forecasts .......................................................................4-7 4.4. Water for Thermoelectric Power Forecasts.......................................4-9 4.5. Total Water Demand Forecasts ......................................................4-10
5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs..................5-1 5.1. Groundwater Availability Comparisons .............................................5-1 5.2. Surface Water Availability Comparisons ...........................................5-3 5.3. Surface Water Quality Comparisons (Assimilative Capacity) ...........5-9 5.4. Summary of Potential Water Resource Issues ...............................5-14
6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals .............................................6-1 6.1. Identifying Water Management Practices .........................................6-1 6.2. Selected Water Management Practices for the Suwannee-Satilla Region ............................................................................................... 6-2
7. Implementing Water Management Practices ................................................7-1 7.1. Implementation Schedule and Roles of Responsible Parties ...........7-1 7.2. Fiscal Implications of Selected Water Management Practices .......7-19 7.3. Alignment with Other Plans.............................................................7-33 7.4. Recommendations to the State.......................................................7-33
8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress ..............................................................8-1 8.1. Benchmarks ......................................................................................8-1

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Table of Contents

8.2. Plan Updates.....................................................................................8-8 8.3. Plan Amendments.............................................................................8-8

Bibliography ..........................................................................................................B-1

Tables

ES-1 ES-2 ES-3 3-1
3-2 4-1 4-2 4-3 4-4 5-1 5-2 5-3 5-4
5-5
5-6
5-7 6-1 7-1 7-2 8-1

Summary of Modeled 2050 Potential Surface Water Gaps .......................ES-7 Short-Term Water Quantity Management Practices (0 10 Years) ..........ES-9 Short-Term Water Quality Management Practices (0 10 Years).............ES-9 Assimilative Capacity for DO in Suwannee-Satilla Planning Council (under current permit conditions) ..................................................................3-4 Summary of Modeled Current Conditions Surface Water Gaps ...................3-7 Population Projections by County .................................................................4-2 Baseline and Alternate Industrial Water Demands (in AAD-MGD) ...............4-6 Agricultural Water Forecast by County (in AAD-MGD) .................................4-8 Regional Thermoelectric Water Forecast (in AAD-MGD) ...........................4-10 2050 Forecast versus Groundwater Permitted Capacity ..............................5-2 Summary of Modeled 2050 Potential Surface Water Gaps ..........................5-4 Characteristics of Modeled 2050 Potential Surface Water Gaps..................5-7 2050 Increased Annual Average Surface Water Demand within Potential Gap Areas.....................................................................................................5-8 2050 Municipal Wastewater Forecast versus Existing Permitted Capacity (MGD) ...........................................................................................................5-9 Assimilative Capacity for DO under Current Permit Conditions in Suwannee-Satilla Planning Council ............................................................5-11 Summary of Potential Water Resource Issues by County ..........................5-15 Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region .............6-6 Implementation Schedule .............................................................................7-2 Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities.............................7-22 Benchmarks for Water Management Plans ..................................................8-2

Figures

ES-1 ES-2 ES-3 ES-4 ES-5 ES-6 1-1 1-2 1-3 2-1 2-2 2-3 3-1 3-2

Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Planning Council .................................ES-2 2005 Water Supply by Source Type ..........................................................ES-4 2005 Water Use by Category.....................................................................ES-5 Trends in Wastewater and Return Flows ...................................................ES-5 Suwannee-Satilla Region Population Projections (2010-2050) .................ES-6 Implementation of Management Practices...............................................ES-10 Regional Water Planning Councils ...............................................................1-1 State Water Planning Process ......................................................................1-3 Location of Suwannee-Satilla Council Members ..........................................1-3 Surface Water Resources, Counties, and Major Cities.................................2-1 Major Georgia Aquifers .................................................................................2-2 Land Cover Distribution ................................................................................2-4 2005 Water Supply by Source Type .............................................................3-2 2005 Surface Water Withdrawal by Category...............................................3-2

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List of Acronyms
3-3 2005 Groundwater Withdrawal by Category .................................................3-2 3-4 2005 Wastewater Treatment by Category ....................................................3-2 3-5 Assimilative Capacity Models .......................................................................3-3 3-6 Results of Assimilative Capacity Assessment DO under Current
Permit Conditions..........................................................................................3-5 3-7 Model Nodes for the Suwannee-Satilla Region ............................................3-6 3-8 Sub-regions Associated with the Coastal Permitting Plan ............................3-8 3-9 Suwannee-Satilla Region Impaired Waters ................................................3-12 4-1 Total Municipal Water Use Forecast (in AAD-MGD).....................................4-4 4-2 Total Municipal Wastewater Generation Forecast (in AAD-MGD)................4-5 4-3 Total Industrial Water and Wastewater Forecast (in AAD-MGD)..................4-7 4-4 Total Agricultural Water Forecast (in AAD-MGD) .........................................4-9 4-5 Water Demand per Sector ..........................................................................4-11 4-6 Total Wastewater Flow ...............................................................................4-11 5-1 Floridan Aquifer Demand vs. Estimated Yield ..............................................5-2 5-2 2050 Potential Surface Water Gap Summary...............................................5-5 5-3 Results of Assimilative Capacity Assessment DO at Permitted
Conditions ...................................................................................................5-12 5-4 Results of Assimilative Capacity Assessment DO at Assumed Future
(2050) Permitted Conditions .......................................................................5-13 6-1 Recommended Surface Water Availability Management Practices in a
Phased Approach .........................................................................................6-4 6-2 Recommended Surface Water Quality Management Practices in a
Phased Approach .........................................................................................6-5
Supplemental Documents
The following supplemental materials have been developed in support of the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Plan and are available electronically as attachments to the Regional Water Plan at www.suwanneesatilla.org.
Public Outreach Technical Memorandum
Vision and Goals Technical Memorandum
Water and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum
Gap Analysis Technical Memorandum
Management Practices Selection Process Technical Memorandum
Plans Reviewed in Selecting Management Practices Technical Memorandum
Water Conservation Technical Memorandum

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Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments
The Suwannee-Satilla Council should be acknowledged for contributing significant amounts of time and talent toward the development of the Regional Water Plan. They participated in council meetings, subcommittee meetings, conference calls, and report development and review. The members of the Suwannee-Satilla Council include:

Name Joseph L. Boyett (Alternate) William L. Brim Hanson R. Carter Carroll H. Coarsey Ben Copeland Scott Downing (Chair) Eugene Dyal Darvin Eason Michael E. Edgy Jim Hedges Alva J. Hopkins Brittney Hull Donald A. Johnson (Alternate) John W. Langdale Joe Lewis R.R. Rusty McCall Donald H. McCallum Dan Raines Scotty Raines Frank G. Sisk (Alternate) Miles A. Stone Grady M. Thompson (Vice-Chair) Doyle Weltzbarker James R. Willis Jackie Wilson Representative Jay Shaw (Ex-Officio)

City Waycross
Tifton Nashville Brookfield Lakeland Fitzgerald
Alma Lenox Waynesville Ashburn Folkston Valdosta Nicholls Valdosta Tifton Valdosta Wray Ashburn Sycamore Blackshear Fargo Tifton Quitman Waycross Douglas
-

County Ware Tift Berrien Tift Lanier
Ben Hill Bacon Cook Brantley Turner Charlton Lowndes Coffee Lowndes
Tift Lowndes
Irwin Turner Turner Pierce Clinch
Tift Brooks Ware Coffee
-

The Suwannee-Satilla Council would like to thank Rick Brown and Shayne Wood with CDM Smith and Cliff Lewis of Georgia EPD for providing the planning and technical guidance toward the development of this Plan. In addition, the SuwanneeSatilla Council would like to recognize Tom Putnam for his contributions in serving as a proxy and contributing his input and perspective in updating the water plan.

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June 2017

Conversion of Units
Conversion of Units (Water Flow and Volume) Used in Plan (values
rounded) 1 cubic foot = 7.48 gallons 1 cubic foot per second = 0.646 million gallons per day or 646,272 gallons per day 1 million gallons per day = 1.55 cubic feet per second 1 million gallons = 3.069 acre-feet (1 acre-foot is enough water to cover a football field with about 9 inches of water) 1 cubic foot per second = 1.98 acre-feet per day 1 acre-foot = 325,851 gallons 1 acre-foot = 0.326 million gallons

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List of Acronyms

List of Acronyms

AAD-MGD

Annual Average Day in million gallons per day

ASR

Aquifer Storage and Recovery

ASWS

Additional/Alternate Surface Water Supply

BMP

best management practice

cfs

cubic feet per second

CRD

Coastal Resources Division

CWA

Clean Water Act

CWCS

Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy

CWSRF

Clean Water State Revolving Fund

DCA

Department of Community Affairs

DCAR

Data Collection/Additional Research

DNR

Department of Natural Resources

DO

dissolved oxygen

DWSRF

Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

EDU

Educational Needs

EPA

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

EPD

Environmental Protection Division

FERC

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission

GEFA

Georgia Environmental Finance Authority

Georgia DOA Georgia Department of Agriculture

GFC

Georgia Forestry Commission

gpcd

gallons per capita per day

GSWCC

Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission

GW

groundwater

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List of Acronyms

List of Acronyms (Continued)

I/I

inflow and infiltration

IGWPC

Industrial Groundwater Permit Capacity

IWWPC

Industrial Wastewater Permit Capacity

LAS

land application system

LDA

local drainage area

M

million

MG

million gallons

MGD

million gallons per day

MGWPC

Municipal Groundwater Permit Capacity

MNGWPD

Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District

MOA

Memorandum of Agreement

MWWPC

Municipal Wastewater Permit Capacity

N/A

not applicable

NPDES

National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System

NPS

non-point source

NPSA

Agricultural Best Management Practices

NPSF

Forestry Best Management Practices

NPSR

Rural Best Management Practices

NPSU

Urban Best Management Practices

NRCS

Natural Resources Conservation Service

NUT

nutrients

O.C.G.A.

Official Code of Georgia Annotated

OCP

Ordinance and Code Policy

OPB

Office of State Planning and Budget

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List of Acronyms

List of Acronyms (Continued)

OSSMS

on-site sewage management systems

PIP

Public Involvement Plan

PS

point source

PSDO

Point Sources Dissolved Oxygen

mi2

square miles

SW

surface water

TMDL

total maximum daily load

UGA

University of Georgia

USDA

U.S. Department of Agriculture

USFS

U.S. Forest Service

USGS

U.S. Geological Survey

WC

Water Conservation

WCIP

Water Conservation Implementation Plan

WRD

Wildlife Resources Division

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June 2017

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Executive Summary

Executive Summary
Introduction and Overview of the Suwannee-Satilla Region
Of all of Georgia's natural resources, none is more important to the future of our State than water. Over the last several decades, Georgia continues to be one of the fastest growing states in the nation. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, between 2010 and 2016, Georgia ranked 4th in total population gain (0.6 million new residents) and 12th in percentage increase in population (6%). During a portion of this same period, our State also experienced critical areas of severe drought. Georgia's growth and economic prosperity are vitally linked to our water resources.
As our State has grown, the management and value of water resources has also changed. Ensuring a bright future for our State requires thoughtful planning and wise use of our water resources. The water planning process began in 2008, when the State of Georgia's leadership authorized a comprehensive state-wide water planning process to help address these challenges and take a forward look at how our State is expected to grow and use water through 2050. The Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Planning Council

Water Resource Trends and Key Findings for the Suwannee-Satilla Region
The Suwannee-Satilla Region includes 18 counties in the south central portion of Georgia. Over the next 35 years, the population of the region is projected to increase by 20% growing from approximately 416,000 to 499,000 residents.
Key economic drivers in the region include agriculture, forestry, professional and business services, education, healthcare, manufacturing, public administration, and construction. Recreation and fishing are also important to the area. Water supplies, wastewater treatment, and related infrastructure will need to be developed and maintained to support these economic drivers and maintain a high quality of life.
The rivers in the region are unique in comparison to most of Georgia Rivers in that the watersheds are much smaller in size. This results in more frequent surface water lower flow conditions and increases the importance of groundwater to the region.
Surface water is forecasted to meet about 18% of the region's water use and agriculture accounts for 98% of this use. Surface water use in the region is highest in the Suwannee River basin, followed by the Satilla, Ocmulgee, and Flint River basins.
Groundwater is predominately used from the Floridan aquifer and is needed to meet about 82% of the region's water needs. Agriculture, municipal, domestic, and industry are the major demand sectors for groundwater.
Water resource challenges in the region include surface water shortfalls during some periods of time on the Alapaha, Satilla, Suwannee, and Withlacoochee Rivers; and water quality challenges associated with trophic-weighted residual mercury in fish tissue and low dissolved oxygen in some portions of the region.
Management practices are needed to address these challenges including: water conservation; refining planning information; use of existing or new storage to help reduce the frequency/severity of critical low flow conditions; sustainable use of groundwater during times of limited surface water flows; improving/upgrading wastewater treatment; and addressing non-point sources of pollution.

June 2017

ES-1

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

Executive Summary

(Suwannee-Satilla Council) was established in February 2009 as part of this statewide process and in 2016-2017 the Suwannee-Satilla Council updated the Regional Water Plan. The Suwannee-Satilla Council is one of 11 planning regions charged with developing Regional Water Plans, and encompasses 18 counties in the southeastern portion of Georgia (shown in Figure ES-1). An overview of the updated findings and recommendations for the Suwannee-Satilla Region are provided in this Executive Summary. The Suwannee-Satilla Council's Regional Water Plan is available on the Council's website.

Georgia has ample water resources, with 14 major river systems and multiple groundwater aquifer systems. These waters are shared natural resources; streams and rivers run through many political jurisdictions. The rain that falls in one region of Georgia may replenish the aquifers used by communities many miles away. And, while ample water in Georgia is available, it is not an unlimited resource. It must be carefully managed to meet long-term water needs. Since water resources vary greatly across the State, water supply planning on a regional and local level is the most effective way to ensure that current and future water resource needs are met.

Figure ES-1: Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Planning Council

The Suwannee, Satilla, and St. Marys Rivers are a popular fishing resource to the region. There are several species of fish found in the rivers, offering excellent fishing for chain pickerel, warmouth, largemouth bass, bluegill, topminnow, sunfish, crappie, and catfish. The coastal estuaries of the Satilla and St. Marys Rivers also provide recreationally and commercially important ecosystems for fish, crustaceans, and shellfish. Several parks along these rivers provide an important recreational resource for the region, offering opportunities for various outdoor activities. Perhaps the most well-known natural habitat and recreational resource in the region is the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Okefenokee Swamp is home to 233 bird species, 49 mammal species, 64 reptile species, and 37 amphibian species. The swamp is also home to over 600 species of plants.

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

ES-2

June 2017

Executive Summary

The Suwannee-Satilla Region encompasses several population centers, including the cities of Valdosta, Tifton, and Douglas. The Suwannee-Satilla Region is projected to grow by approximately 83,000 residents, or 20%, from 2015 to 2050 with the highest growth occurring in Lowndes and Coffee Counties (Georgia's Office of Planning and Budget, 2015). To accommodate this growth, the region requires reliable water supplies and sufficient wastewater treatment to meet its growing needs. In addition, the region has a vibrant agricultural base that requires water supply to continue supporting the economics of the region.
The primary economic sectors in the region include agriculture, forestry, professional and business services, education, healthcare, manufacturing, public administration, and construction. The rural economies of five counties in the region (Atkinson, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, and Pierce Counties) are categorized as very or critically dependent on the forestry industry by the Georgia Forestry Commission in the 2008 report "Economic Impact of Forest Products Manufacturing in Georgia." Forested lands and agriculture are major land covers in the region, which are also important drivers for the region's economy.
Establishing a Water Resource Vision for the Suwannee-Satilla Region
A foundational part of the water planning process was the development of a vision for the region that describes the economic, population, environmental, and water use conditions that are desired for the region. On September 23, 2009, the SuwanneeSatilla Council adopted the following Vision for the region.
"The Vision of the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Council is to manage water resources in a sustainable manner under Georgia's regulated riparian and regulated reasonable use laws to support the state's and region's economy, to protect public health and natural resources, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens; while preserving the private property rights of Georgia's landowners, and in consideration of the need to enhance resource augmentation and efficiency opportunities."
On November 11, 2009, the Suwannee-Satilla Council identified 13 goals to complement the Vision. These goals can be found in Section 1 of the Regional Water Plan.
In addition to providing these regional vision and goals, the Suwannee-Satilla Council believes it is critically important for the Council to have an ongoing role in regional water planning. The information in the Regional Water Plan is complex and will require ongoing education and an emphasis on cooperation to help obtain local support for, and maximize the effectiveness of the Plan's recommendations. The leadership, knowledge and experience of the Suwannee-Satilla Council establishes a uniquely qualified group to assist in facilitating implementation of the Plan, clarifying questions regarding the intent of the Regional Water Plan recommendations, and refining and updating existing information as well as executing future planning efforts. More information regarding the region and its water resource needs, challenges, and solutions is provided below.

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SUWANNEE-SATILLA

Executive Summary

Overview of Water Resources and Use in the Suwannee-Satilla Region
Surface Water

Major surface water features in the region include the Alapaha, Satilla, St. Marys, Suwannee, and Withlacoochee Rivers. The Alapaha and Withlacoochee Rivers are major tributaries to the Suwannee River, which flows through Florida into the Gulf of Mexico downstream of these confluences. The headwaters of the Suwannee River are in the Okefenokee Swamp. The Satilla River flows to the southeast and discharges to the Atlantic Ocean between Cumberland and Jekyll Islands. This water body is a blackwater stream consisting of tannins and other natural leachates, which cause the river to have a darkly stained appearance and have unique physical and chemical characteristics and dissolved oxygen dynamics. Over half (59%) of the St. Marys River lies in Georgia and the remainder is in Florida. The St. Marys River is also a blackwater stream. However, the St. Marys River flows north and east, forming the border between southeast Georgia and northeast Florida and discharges into the Atlantic Ocean.

As shown in Figure ES-2, surface water is expected to provide 27% of the water supply within the region (USGS, 2009). Based on water use trends and forecast information through 2050, the majority of the agricultural and industrial surface water use in the region is projected to come from the Suwannee River basin (72%) and Satilla River basin (26%), with the Ocmulgee and Flint River basins each making up 1% or less of the regional surface water use. This information is based on the assumption that future use will follow current practices and trends.
Groundwater

Figure ES-2: 2005 Water Supply by Source Type
Surface Water, 48 MGD,
27%

Total 175 MGD

Groundwater, 128 MGD, 73%

Data Source: "Water Use in Georgia by County for 2005; and Water-Use Trends, 1980-2005"(USGS, 2009).

As shown in Figure ES-2, groundwater is projected to meet about 73% of the region's water supply needs. Based on 2015 forecasted groundwater withdrawal data, approximately 98% of groundwater in the region is supplied from the Floridan aquifer, which is one of the most productive groundwater aquifers in the United States.

Water and Wastewater Needs in the Suwannee-Satilla Region A Closer Look
Figure ES-3 presents surface water and groundwater use by sector in the Suwannee-Satilla Region. Approximately 98% of surface water withdrawals in the region are for the agricultural sector, with the remaining 2% for industrial uses. About

ES-4

June 2017

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

Executive Summary

128 MGD of groundwater withdrawn were predominantly used to supply agricultural (55%) and municipal users (28%) among others (self-supply and industrial).

Figure ES-3: 2005 Water Use by Category

Surface Water

Industrial, 1 MGD,
2%

Groundwater

Municipal, 36 MGD,
28%

Self-Supply (Domestic),
11 MGD, 9%

Agriculture, 47 MGD,
98%

Total 48 MGD

Agriculture, 70 MGD,
55%

Total 128 MGD

Industrial, 10 MGD,
8%

Data Sources: "Water Use in Georgia by County for 2005; and Water-Use Trends, 1980-2005" (USGS, 2009). Surface water withdrawals for municipal and industrial categories were adjusted based upon feedback from water providers.

Wastewater

treatment

types

representing current conditions in the

region are shown in Figure ES-4.

According to the Suwannee-Satilla

Wastewater Forecast developed for the

Regional Water Plan (CDM Smith,

2017), 60% of treated wastewater in

the region is disposed of as a

municipal/industrial point source

discharge or to a land application

system (7%). The remaining

wastewater is treated by on-site

sewage treatment (septic) systems

(33%).

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ES-5

Executive Summary
Suwannee-Satilla Forecasted Water Resource Needs from the Year 2015 to 2050
Municipal water and wastewater forecasts are closely tied to population projections for the counties within the Suwannee-Satilla Region. The population projections were developed by the Georgia Governor's Office of Planning and Budget and are shown in Figure ES-5. Overall, the region's water supply needs are expected to grow by 16% (43 MGD) in demand from 2015 through 2050. Wastewater return flows are expected to grow by 19% (14 MGD) from 2015 through 2050.

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

Comparison of Available Resource Capacity to Future Water Resource Needs
Groundwater Availability
Groundwater is projected to meet about 82% of the region's water supply needs. Groundwater from the Floridan aquifer is a vital resource for the Suwannee-Satilla Region. Overall, the results from the Groundwater Availability Resource Assessment (EPD, March 2010) indicate that the sustainable yield for the modeled portions of the regional aquifer(s) is greater than the forecasted demands. Therefore, at this time no groundwater resource shortfalls are expected to occur in the Suwannee-Satilla Region over the planning horizon. However, localized issues could arise in areas where there is a high well density and/or high volumes of groundwater withdrawal.

ES-6

June 2017

Executive Summary

Surface Water Availability
Surface water is also an important resource used to meet current and future needs of the Suwannee-Satilla Region. In order to determine if there is sufficient surface water to meet both off-stream uses of water and instream flow needs, a Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment model was developed and used by EPD in the state water planning process.
The results of the future conditions modeling from the Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment (EPD, May 2017) show that in portions of the region, there are sufficient surface water supplies to meet forecasted water supply needs. However, in dry years, during some portions of the year, the modeled demand for off-stream uses of water results in projected impacts to instream flow needs (referred to as a "gap").
Table ES-1 summarizes the locations in the region where there is a forecasted gap between available surface water resource and forecasted need. There are current and 2050 forecasted surface water gaps at the following locations in the region: Atkinson (Satilla River), Jennings (Alapaha River), Pinetta (Withlacoochee River) and Statenville (Alapaha River). At each of these locations, the dominant water use type is agricultural. The projected increases of agricultural and industrial surface water use for the counties within the Suwannee-Satilla Region that contribute to current and/or future gaps are 3.5 MGD and 0.06 MGD, respectively. Since there are current gaps at the referenced locations, it will be difficult to develop additional surface water to meet projected needs without increasing current gaps. As described below, management practices are recommended by the Suwannee-Satilla Council to address surface water gaps.

Table ES-1: Summary of Modeled 2050 Potential Surface Water Gaps

Node

Duration of Gap (% of total days)

Average Flow Deficit

Long-term Average Flow

Atkinson

5

20 cfs / 13 MGD

2,236 cfs / 1,445 MGD

Jennings

8

36 cfs / 23 MGD

1,380 cfs / 892 MGD

Pinetta

9

46 cfs / 30 MGD

1,721 cfs / 1,112 MGD

Statenville

12

32 cfs / 21 MGD)

1,058 cfs / 684 MGD

Source: Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment, May 2017, EPD

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Executive Summary

Assessment of Water Quality Conditions
One measure of the capacity of surface water to maintain its health and the health of the aquatic

Summary of Resource Assessment Results

species living therein is the amount of residual dissolved oxygen in the water. As part of the Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment (EPD, May 2017), modeling of dissolved oxygen concentrations was performed for

Management Practices should be developed and implemented to address water resource shortfalls as determined by the three Resource Assessments.

each surface water reach in the region that has Groundwater: Overall, results indicate

upstream wastewater discharges to the reach. The that the sustainable yield for the

modeling estimates the ability of the surface water modeled portions of the regional

to assimilate the amount of waste being discharged aquifer(s) is greater than the forecasted

(also referred to as assimilative capacity). Each demands.

modeled river segment was classified as exceeding dissolved oxygen capacity, meeting dissolved Surface Water Quantity: There are

oxygen capacity, or having available dissolved sufficient surface water supplies at

oxygen capacity. The assimilative capacity several locations throughout the

assessment for dissolved oxygen at baseline and/or Suwannee-Satilla Region, but there are

permitted conditions is presented in Section 3 and also projected surface water shortfalls

Section 5, and Section 6 (Management Practices) during some periods of time at the

outlines the recommendations that have been made Atkinson, Jennings, Pinetta, and

to address these impairments in the future. Statenville nodes.

Assimilative capacity assessments indicate the potential need for improved wastewater treatment in some facilities within the Suwannee, Satilla, St. Marys, and Ochlockonee River Basins.

Surface Water Quality: There are eight reaches within the Suwannee River Basin, five reaches within the Satilla River Basin, two reaches in the St.

Under Section 303d of the federal Clean Water Act, Marys River Basin, and one in the

a total maximum daily load (TMDL) must be Ochlockonee Basin that exceed

developed for waters that do not meet their assimilative capacity.

designated uses. A TMDL represents the maximum

pollutant loading that a water body can assimilate and continue meeting its

designated use (i.e., not exceeding State water quality standards). A water body is

deemed to be impaired if it does not meet the applicable criteria for a particular

pollutant; consequently, TMDLs are required to be established for these waters to

reduce the concentrations of the exceeding parameters in order to comply with State

water quality standards.

For the Suwannee-Satilla Region, there are 83 impaired stream reaches (total impaired length of 946 miles). TMDLs have been completed for 73 of the impaired stream reaches. Since the original water plan was published in 2011, the SuwanneeSatilla Region has improved water quality in terms of reducing fecal coliform impairments, and now the majority of stream impairments are due to trophicweighted residual mercury in fish tissue and low dissolved oxygen.

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June 2017

Executive Summary

Identifying Water Management Practices to Address Water Resource Shortfalls and Future Needs
The comparison of EPD's May 2017 Resource Assessments and forecasted demands identified the region's likely resource shortfalls or gaps and demonstrated the necessity for region and resource specific water management practices. In selecting the actions needed (i.e., water management practices), the SuwanneeSatilla Council considered practices identified in existing plans, the Region's Vision and Goals, and coordinated with local governments and water providers as well as neighboring Councils that share these water resources.
The Suwannee-Satilla Council has developed a management practice strategy based on the best data and modeling results available. The Council recognizes that as data are refined and modeling results improve--including water and wastewater projections and Resource Assessments--the resulting future needs and gaps may change. Therefore, the Council has prioritized short-term management practices to address gaps with the understanding that more complex management practices may be required in the future. These short-term management practices are presented in Tables ES-2 and ES-3.

Table ES-2: Short-Term Water Quantity Management Practices (0 10 Years)
Utilize surface water and groundwater sources within the available resource capacities
Water conservation
Data collection and research to confirm the frequency, duration, severity, and drivers of surface water gaps (forecast methodology assumptions and Resource Assessment modeling)
Evaluate and ensure that current and future surface water permit conditions do not contribute to 7Q10 low flow concerns
Encourage sustainable groundwater use as a preferred supply in regions with surface water 7Q10 low flow concerns and adequate groundwater supply
Identify incentives and a process to sustainably replace a portion of existing agricultural surface water use with groundwater use to address 7Q10 low flow concerns
Evaluate the potential to use existing storage to address 7Q10 low flow concerns
Education to reduce surficial aquifer groundwater use impacts to 7Q10 low flow concerns

Table ES-3: Short-Term Water Quality Management Practices (0 10 Years)
Point Sources:
Support and fund current permitting and waste load allocation process to improve treatment of wastewater and increase treatment capacity
Data collection and research to confirm discharge volumes and waste concentrations as well as receiving stream flows and chemistry
Non-point Sources:
Data collection to confirm source of pollutants and causes; encourage stormwater ordinances, septic system maintenance, and coordinated planning
Ensure funding and support for Best Management Practices programs by local and state programs, including urban/suburban, rural, forestry, and agricultural Best Management Practices
Non-point Source Existing Impairments:
Total maximum daily load listed streams: Improve data on source of pollutant and length of impairment; Identify opportunities to leverage funds and implement non-point source Best Management Practices

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SUWANNEE-SATILLA

Executive Summary
Members of the Suwannee-Satilla Council have invested significant time and expertise into the planning process and wish to capitalize on the expertise gained by the Council prior to the end of their second term as Council members.
The Suwannee-Satilla Council believes the Regional Water Plan should be reviewed in defined increments in the future such as every 5 years to evaluate how the implemented management practices are performing toward addressing gaps and meeting forecasted needs and what additional measures might be required. This is the first of such updates. If the selected management practices have not sufficiently addressed the gaps identified by the Resource Assessments, then additional management practices should be selected and implemented. Over time, the selected management practices will address identified gaps and meet future uses. Addressing surface water gaps will require that management practices also be implemented by adjacent water planning councils that share resources with the Suwannee-Satilla Council.
Implementing Water Management Practices
The Suwannee-Satilla Council supports the concept of regional water resource planning with a focus on planning Councils composed of local governments, water users, water providers, industry, business and affected stakeholders. Local representatives are typically most familiar with local water resource issues and needs. The State has a vital role providing technical support, guidance, and funding to support locally focused water resource planning.
Implementation of the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Plan will be primarily by various water users and wastewater utilities in the region. The most cost-effective and more readily implemented management practices will be prioritized for shortterm implementation via an incremental and adaptive approach as shown in Figure ES-6. If resource needs are not met and/or gaps are not addressed, then more complex management practices will be pursued. Future planning efforts should confirm current assumptions and make necessary revisions and/or improvements to the conclusions reached during this round of planning.
Figure ES-6: Implementation of Management Practices

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Executive Summary
Cost Considerations
Planning level cost estimates were prepared for the various categories of management practices. A detailed summary of costs can be found in Section 7 of the Regional Water Plan. In general, addressing surface water needs in the region from both a water supply and a water quality perspective are expected to present the largest challenges and have the most fiscal impact. For the Regional Water Plan to be most effective, wastewater utilities and agricultural water users will need planning and implementation support to help them meet current and future needs. It is anticipated that several different funding sources and options will be used to secure funding for the various management practices outlined in the Regional Water Plan, and adequate funding will be a critical component of the successful implementation of the state-wide water planning effort.
Water conservation remains a cost-effective means to address future water supply needs and could be applied region-wide, especially in areas of limited future surface water withdrawals. Wastewater treatment will likely also require funding sources, both to upgrade plants and to address aging infrastructure.
Implementation Considerations and Benchmarks Helping Ensure Progress toward Meeting Future Needs
Effective implementation of the Regional Water Plan will require the availability of sufficient funding in the form of loans, and in some cases, possibly grants. In addition, many of the proposed management practices require ongoing coordination with affected stakeholders/water users and collaboration to help ensure successful solutions are identified and implemented. Finally, in many cases monitoring progress toward addressing future needs will require improved data and information on the current actions and management practices that are already in place.
To assess progress toward meeting regional needs, the Suwannee-Satilla Council identified several benchmarks, which can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Regional Water Plan. The benchmarks are shown in Section 8 of the Regional Water Plan and include both the activities to be accomplished and the measurement tools that can be used to assess progress.
The Suwannee-Satilla Council supports the concept of regional water planning led by local representatives. The Council members wish to express their gratitude to the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Speaker of the House for their nomination to the Suwannee-Satilla Council. The Regional Water Plan provides a recommended path forward to help achieve social, economic, and environmental prosperity for the region. The Council members are grateful for the opportunity to serve the region and State. The Suwannee-Satilla Council members wish to remain involved in facilitating attainment of the Regional Water Plan benchmarks and making necessary revisions to the Plan.

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1. INTRODUCTION

1. Introduction

Section 1. Introduction

The Suwannee-Satilla Council intends this Regional Water Plan to be a working document, and work on this document is a continual planning process.
Georgia is one of the fastest growing states in the nation. Couple that with recent unprecedented drought, increased competition for water supplies, and changing perspectives on how we use and value water, we begin to see the challenges of managing our valuable water resources. In response to these challenges, a State Water Council was formed to develop a state-wide water planning process.

Summary
The Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Planning Council, established in February 2009 under the State Water Plan, has adopted a Vision and Goals for prioritizing water resource use and management within the region.

The water planning process began in 2008 when the State Water Council submitted the Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Plan (State Water Plan) to the Georgia General Assembly and the water
planning process was approved. The

These guiding principles were used to identify and select water management practices that best address the needs and resource conditions of the SuwanneeSatilla Region.

purpose of the

State Water Plan is to guide Georgia in

managing water resources in a sustainable

manner to support the State's economy,

protect public health and natural systems, and

to enhance the quality of life for all our

citizens. The State Water Plan identifies state-

wide policies, provides planning guidance,

and establishes a planning process for

completion of Regional Water Development

and Conservation Plans (Regional Water

Plans). The Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water

Planning Council (Suwannee-Satilla Council)

was formed to help guide the completion of

the 2011 Regional Water Plan and they have

now produced this update. The Suwannee-

Satilla Council is composed of membership

based on a nomination and appointment

process by the Governor, Lieutenant

Governor, and Speaker of the House.

The Suannee-Satilla Regional Water Plan was first completed and adopted in 2011. During the 20162017 plan update process, this document was updated from the original 2011 Regional Water Plan for

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1. Introduction
the Suwannee-Satilla Region based on updated regional water demand forecasts, updated resource assessment modeling, and the evaluation of future gaps in water availability and water quality. This updated plan also includes the revised management practices recommended by the Suwannee-Satilla Council to either address future water resource management needs or to refine or clarify management practices. A table is provided in Appendix A that identifies the portions of the plan that have been updated and provides a short explanation for why the update was made (for instance, a change in circumstance in the region, or an update to the technical work such as updated projections or forecast).
1.1. The Significance of Water Resources in Georgia
Of all Georgia's natural resources, none is more important to the future of our State than water. The wise use and management of water is critical to support the State's economy, to protect public health and natural systems, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
Georgia has abundant water resources, with 14 major river systems and multiple groundwater aquifer systems. These waters are shared natural resources. Streams and rivers run through many political jurisdictions. The rain that falls in one region of Georgia may replenish the aquifers used by communities many miles away. And, while water in Georgia is abundant, it is not an unlimited resource. It must be carefully managed to meet long-term water needs.
Since water resources, their conditions, and their uses vary greatly across the State, selection and implementation of management practices on a regional and local level is the most effective way to ensure that current and future needs for water supply and assimilative capacity are met. Therefore, the State Water Plan calls for the preparation of 10 Regional Water Plans. The eleventh regional water planning district, the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District (MNGWPD, also known as "the District"), was created by State law in 2001 and had existing Plans in place. Figure 1-1 illustrates the 11 council boundaries and major surface watersheds, which are shown by the different background colors.
This Regional Water Plan prepared and updated by the Suwannee-Satilla Council describes the current and projected water resource needs of the region and summarizes regionally appropriate management strategies (also referred to as water management practices) to be employed in Georgia's Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region over the next 35 years to help meet these needs.
1.2. State and Regional Water Planning Process
The State Water Plan calls for the preparation of Regional Water Plans designed to manage water resources in a sustainable manner through 2050. The original (2011) Regional Water Plan was prepared following a consensus-based planning process illustrated in Figure 1-2.

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Figure 1-2: State Water Planning Process

As detailed in the Suwannee-Satilla Council's Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and Department of Community Affairs (DCA) as well as the Suwannee-Satilla Council's Public Involvement Plan (PIP), the process required and benefited from input of other
regional water planning councils, local governments, and the public. For this plan update, a similar approach was followed, including a review of the original vision and goals, updates to the water and wastewater demands, updates to the resource assessments, and a re-evaluation of future gaps. Public/local government input and coordination with other regional water planning councils also informed the plan update.
1.3. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region Visions and Goals
Following the process established in the State Water Plan, the SuwanneeSatilla Council was established in February 2009. The Suwannee-Satilla Council has 26 members, which includes 2 alternates and 1 Ex-Officio Members. Figure 1-3 provides an

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1. Introduction
overview of the Suwannee-Satilla Region and the residential locations of the Suwannee-Satilla Council members.
To develop the 2011 Regional Water Plan, the Suwannee-Satilla Council met collectively for the first time on March 13, 2009 at a kickoff meeting for the 10 regional water planning councils. The meeting focused on: providing an orientation to the water planning process; a preliminary overview of Georgia's water resources; and establishing an understanding of the schedule for completing the Regional Water Plan, the Council's meeting schedule, and requirements. As part of this update, the Suwannee-Satilla Council met over a series of meetings in 2016 and 2017 to revise and update each of the sections of the plan, as appropriate.
Developing the Region's Council Procedures
Initially, the planning process focused on establishing the Suwannee-Satilla Council's leadership along with operating procedures and rules for conducting meetings. The operating procedures and rules were appended to the Memorandum of Agreement that was executed between the Suwannee-Satilla Council, EPD, and DCA. The Memorandum of Agreement was unanimously approved by the Suwannee-Satilla Council and executed on June 24, 2009. A copy of this document can be accessed on the Council's website.
In support of the Memorandum of Agreement, the Suwannee-Satilla Council formed six subcommittees to provide planning guidance during various development stages of the development of the 2011 Regional Water Plan. The subcommittees consisted of the following: Vision and Goals, Municipal Water and Wastewater Forecasting, Public Involvement Plan, Plan Drafting (Table of Contents), Plan Drafting (Report), and Management Practices.
Developing Regional Vision and Goals
A major element of Georgia's state and regional water planning process is the identification of the region's Vision and Goals that describe the economic, population, environmental and water use conditions desired for each region. The Vision and Goals described below summarize the Suwannee-Satilla Council's priorities for water resource use and management. This information is used to help guide the identification and selection of water management practices for the Suwannee-Satilla Region and to communicate these priorities and values to other regions of the State.
Vision Statement (as established September 23, 2009)
"The Vision of the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Council is to manage water resources in a sustainable manner under Georgia's regulated riparian and regulated reasonable use laws to support the state's and region's economy, to protect public health and natural resources, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens; while preserving the private property rights of Georgia's landowners, and in consideration of the need to enhance resource augmentation and efficiency opportunities."

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1. Introduction

Goals (as established November 11, 2009)
The Suwannee-Satilla Council has identified 13 goals for the region. It is important to note that the goals summarized below are not presented in order of priority, but rather were assigned a number to identify specific goals addressed as part of the water management practice selection process (Section 6).
1. Manage and develop water resources to sustainably and reliably meet domestic, commercial, industrial water needs, and agricultural water needs including all agricultural sectors (this includes the agro forestry economy of the region).
2. Manage groundwater and surface water to encourage sustainable economic and population growth in the region.
3. Manage the region's and state's water resources in a manner that preserves and protects private property rights.
4. Ensure an adequate water supply of suitable quality to meet current and future human needs, while protecting environmental resources.
5. Identify opportunities to optimize existing and future supplies, and water and wastewater infrastructure.
6. Promote efficient use and management of surface and groundwater resources to allow for sufficient supplies for current and future generations.
7. Protect and manage surface and groundwater recharge areas to ensure sufficient long-term water supplies for the region.
8. Protect, maintain, and where appropriate and practicable, identify opportunities to enhance water quality and river base flows.
9. Protect and maintain regional water-dependent recreational opportunities.
10. Identify opportunities to manage stormwater to improve water quantity and quality.
11. Identify and implement cost-effective water management strategies.
12. Seek to provide economically affordable power and water resource service to all citizens of the region.
13. Identify and implement actions to better measure and share water use data and information.
More information regarding the region's Vision and Goals can be found at the Council's website.

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1. Introduction
www.suwanneesatilla.org/documents/SSA_VisionAndGoals_Adopted.pdf.
The Suwannee-Satilla Council's Public Involvement Plan
A foundational principle of the Georgia water planning process is public and stakeholder participation and coordination among multiple interests. The SuwanneeSatilla Council developed a Public Involvement Plan to help guide and implement an inclusive planning process. The Public Involvement Plan was adopted by the Suwannee-Satilla Council on November 11, 2010 and can be accessed at the Council's website.
www.suwanneesatilla.org/documents/SSA_Public_Involvement_Plan_Adopted.pdf.
Outreach to the public, local governments, water providers and users was accomplished by e-mail correspondence, direct communication, and updates provided by Council members at local government and other interest group meetings. Opportunity for public and local government comment was provided at each Council meeting. More information regarding public outreach can be found in the Suwannee-Satilla Public Outreach Technical Memorandum available at the Council's website.

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2. THE SUWANNEE-SATILLA WATER PLANNING REGION

2. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region

Section 2. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region

2.1. History and Geography
The Suwannee-Satilla Region is located within the Coastal Plain Physiographic Province. The topography of the region is characterized by gentle slopes that reflect the geologic history of marine incursions and regressions. Approximately 90% of the Coastal Plain's sediments exposed in the area are sands and clays. The major land covers in the region are forested lands and agriculture, which are
important drivers for the region's economy.
Surface Water Resources
Figure 2-1 provides an overview of the surface water resources in the Suwannee-Satilla Region. Major surface water features in the region include the Alapaha, Satilla, St. Marys, Suwannee, and Withlacoochee Rivers. Major lakes in the region include Banks Lake.
Figure 2-1: Surface Water Resources, Counties, and Major Cities

Summary
The Suwannee-Satilla Region encompasses 18 counties in the south central portion of Georgia. Predominant land cover in the region includes agriculture, forest, and wetland areas.
The major surface water resources in the region include the Alapaha, Satilla, St. Marys, Suwannee, and Withlacoochee Rivers.
The Floridan aquifer, one of the most productive aquifers in the United States, is the primary source of groundwater in the region.

The Alapaha and Withlacoochee Rivers are major tributaries to the Suwannee River, which flows into the Gulf of Mexico downstream of these confluences. The headwaters of the Suwannee River are in the Okefenokee Swamp. The Suwannee River is 266 miles long and has a drainage area of approximately 11,000 square miles (mi2), 51% of which lies in Georgia (EPD, 2002) and the remainder in Florida. This water body is a blackwater stream consisting of tannins and other natural leachates, which cause the river to have a darkly stained appearance and unique physical and chemical characteristics, including dissolved oxygen dynamics.

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2. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region

The Satilla River flows to the southeast across the region from its headwaters in Ben Hill County and discharges to the Atlantic Ocean between Cumberland and Jekyll Islands (EPD, 2002). The Satilla River is 200 miles long and has a drainage area of approximately 3,940 mi2, which is completely contained within Georgia. Like the Suwannee River, the Satilla River is a blackwater stream.

The St. Marys River is 90 miles long and has a drainage area of approximately 1,300 mi2, 59% of which lies in Georgia (EPD, 2002) and the remainder in Florida. Like the Suwannee River, the St. Marys River is a blackwater stream. The St. Marys River flows north and east, forming the border between southeast Georgia and northeast Florida before discharging into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Suwannee, Satilla, and St. Marys Rivers are popular fishing resources to the region. There are several species of fish found in the rivers, offering excellent fishing for chain pickerel, warmouth, largemouth bass, bluegill, topminnow, sunfish, crappie, and catfish. The coastal estuaries of the Satilla and St. Marys Rivers also provide recreationally and commercially important ecosystems for fish, crustaceans, and shellfish.

Several parks along these rivers provide an important recreational resource for the region, offering opportunities for various outdoor activities. Some of the more popular parks in the region include General Coffee State Park in Nichols, the Cumberland Island National Seashore, Reed Bingham State Park near Adel, and Crooked River State Park. Perhaps the most well-known natural habitat and recreational resource in the region is the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. The Okefenokee Swamp is home to 233 bird species, 49 mammal species, 64 reptile species, and 37 amphibian species. The swamp is also home to over 600 species of plants.

Groundwater Resources

Groundwater is a very important

resource for the Suwannee-

Satilla Region. Figure 2-2

depicts the major aquifers of

Georgia. Based on 2015

projected pumping data

provided by Georgia EPD,

approximately

98%

of

groundwater supplied in the

region is from the Floridan

aquifer, which is one of the

most productive groundwater

aquifers in the United States.

The Floridan aquifer is primarily

comprised of limestone,

dolostone, and calcareous

sand. The aquifer is generally

confined, but at its northern

Figure 2-2: Major Georgia Aquifers

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2. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region
extent there are unconfined and semi-confined zones. The Floridan aquifer increases in thickness eastwardly across the State and is approximately 400 feet thick in Glynn County. The aquifer is very productive, with typical well yields of 1,000-5,000 gallons per minute.
The eastern portion of the Suwannee-Satilla Region is within the Brunswick aquifer area, which consists of sands and limestones. Where this aquifer exists, it is used in addition to the Floridan aquifer for water supply. The surficial aquifer, which is present beneath most of the Coastal Plain area, is usually not very thick and not typically used as a primary source of water supply.
The Suwannee-Satilla Region shares its groundwater resources with portions of North Florida. EPD coordinated with the Suwannee River Water Management District and St. Johns River Water Management District to obtain current Florida groundwater use data, which were incorporated into groundwater modeling efforts.
Climate
A review of data for the region from the Southeast Regional Climate Center indicates that the climate is temperate with mild winters and hot summers. Average maximum temperatures are around 92F in July and average minimum temperatures are near 40F in January. The area receives abundant rainfall, approximately 46-52 inches per year, with the greatest rainfall occurring during July and August. The driest month in the region is November. Snowfall is rare and the historical average for the region is 0.1 inch near the coast to 0.3 inch further inland.
2.2. Characteristics of Region
The Suwannee-Satilla Council encompasses 18 counties in the southeastern portion of Georgia, with a projected 2015 population of approximately 416,373 (Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, 2015). The counties and major towns and cities are shown in Figure 2-1. The major population centers in the region include the cities of Valdosta, Tifton, and Douglas.
Based on information obtained from Georgia Department of Labor Local Area Profiles, major employers in the regions include Bway Corporation, Inc. and Lee Container Corps in Clinch County, Shaw Industries Group Inc. in Tift and Ben Hill Counties, Heatcraft Refrigeration Products, LLC in Tift County, and the Moody Air Force Base in Lowndes and Lanier Counties. The rural economies of five counties in the region (Atkinson, Brantley, Charlton, Clinch, and Pierce Counties) are categorized as very or critically dependent on the forest community by the Georgia Forestry Commission in the 2008 report "Economic Impact of Forest Products Manufacturing in Georgia." There are five forestry products manufacturing facilities within the region. The raw materials to sustain these facilities are also supplied by the region. Two examples of industries that rely on the region's water resources for its operations are Pilgrim's Pride (chicken processing) and Premium Waters, Inc. (bottled water), which are both located in Coffee County. The primary economic

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2. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region

sectors in the region include agriculture, forestry, professional and business services, education, healthcare, manufacturing, public administration, and construction.

Agriculture has historically played a dominant role in the economy of the SuwanneeSatilla Region and the State. During 2012, Georgia agriculture generated more than $9.3 billion in cash receipts to the State's economy, with the Suwannee-Satilla Region contributing approximately $821 million in 2009 (2012 Census of Agriculture; U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2009). According to the USDA Economic Research Service, farming's contribution to state and national economies can be determined by calculating the net value added, which is the total value of the agricultural sector's production of goods and services less payments to other sectors of the economy. The farm production net value added for the Suwannee-Satilla Region represents 14% of the total state farm net value added in 2007. The Suwannee-Satilla farm production net value added represents 0.12% of the total State gross domestic product (GDP), which was $399 billion in 2007 (U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Analysis). Turner, Irwin, Tift, Brooks, Berrien, and Cook Counties are expected to continue to be the higher agricultural water use areas of the region.

While forestry and agriculture have, and will continue to be major economic drivers in the region, a number of areas will experience increased urbanization and increases in commercial and industrial growth. These trends are especially likely to be seen in Coffee, Lowndes, and Tift Counties among others.

The region includes four colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia: Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Valdosta State University, South Georgia College in Douglas, and Waycross Figure 2-3: Land Cover Distribution College. The region also includes three colleges within the Technical College System of Georgia: Wiregrass Technical College in Valdosta, Douglas, and Fitzgerald, Okefenokee Technical College in Waycross, and Moultrie Technical College in Tifton. In addition to county jails, there are six correctional facilities that are important employers and water users in the Suwannee-Satilla Region.

A summary of 2008 land cover distribution is shown in Figure 2-3, based on data obtained from the University of Georgia

Adapted from: University of Georgia Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Laboratory Percentages are based upon land use estimates from 2008

Note: "Other" represents clearcut/sparse, beaches/dunes, and quarries/outcrops land use
categories

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2. The Suwannee-Satilla Water Planning Region
Natural Resources Spatial Analysis. Forests cover 38% of the Suwannee-Satilla Region, and wetlands and agriculture cover 29% and 21% of the region, respectively. It should be noted that the term wetland refers to land cover and does not infer a regulatory determination. Urban development accounts for only 6% of the land cover within the region. The remaining land cover (6%) consists of water and open spaces. Based on the inventory of Georgia's irrigated cropland developed as part of the agricultural demand assessment in 2016, peanut, corn and cotton account for the majority of crops irrigated in the Suwannee-Satilla Region. Fresh vegetables are also planted widely in the region.
2.3. Local Policy Context
Regional Commissions
Regional Commissions are agencies of local governments and representatives from the private sector that facilitate coordinated and comprehensive planning at the local and regional levels. Regional Commissions often assist their membership with conformity to minimum standards and procedures and serve as liaisons with state and federal agencies. There are 12 Regional Commissions in Georgia. The Southern Georgia Regional Commission covers the same counties as the Suwannee-Satilla Council.
In July 2009, the Georgia Department of Community Affairs required the Regional Commissions to adopt, maintain, and implement a Regional Plan (DCA Rule 110-126). The Southern Georgia Regional Commission's Regional Plan provides guidance to regional and local business leaders, local governments, state and federal agencies, and citizens to promote quality growth in region. It is a vision of the future for the region and includes quality community based objectives related to water resources such as water supply, wastewater, and stormwater management. A key component is the establishment of "performance standards", which are actions, activities, or programs a local government can implement or participate in that will advance their efforts to meet the vision of the Regional Plan. The Southern Georgia Regional Commission's Regional Plan defines two achievement thresholds (Minimum and Excellence), which are attained by implementing the performance standards. Local governments are required to achieve the Minimum Standard to maintain their Qualified Local Government status, which qualifies them for certain state funding. By achieving the Excellence Standard, a local government may be eligible for special incentives. The Southern Georgia Regional Commission completed their Regional Plan in 2013.

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3. WATER RESOURCES OF THE SUWANNEE-SATILLA REGION

3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Section 3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region

3.1. Current Major Water Use in Region
Based on data summarized from the 2009 U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) report "Water Use in Georgia by County for 2005; and Water-Use Trends, 1980-2005," water supply in the Suwannee-Satilla Region for 2005 totaled approximately 175 million gallons per day (MGD) and was comprised of 73% groundwater and 27% surface water, as shown in Figure 3-1. Figure 3-2 shows surface water in the region was used almost entirely for agriculture (98%) with the remaining 2% used by industry. A total of 128 MGD of groundwater withdrawn were predominantly used to supply agricultural (55%) and municipal users (28%) among others (selfsupply and industrial), as shown in Figure 3-3. Wastewater treatment types in the region are shown in Figure 3-4. According to the SuwanneeSatilla Water and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum (CDM, 2011), 55% of treated wastewater in the region was disposed of as a municipal/industrial point source discharge or to a land application system (6%). The remaining wastewater was treated by on-site sewage treatment (septic) systems (38%).
3.2. Current Conditions Resource Assessments
EPD developed three Resource Assessments to evaluate surface water quality, surface water availability, and groundwater availability throughout the State. These assessments analyzed the capacity of water resources to meet demands for water supply and wastewater discharge without causing unreasonable impacts according to metrics established by EPD. The assessments were completed on a resource basis (river basins and aquifers), but are summarized herein as they relate to the Suwannee-Satilla

Summary
In 2005, surface water and groundwater withdrawal in the region totaled approximately 175 MGD to accommodate municipal, self-supply, industrial, and agricultural demands.
The majority of wastewater in the region is disposed of as a point source discharge from municipal and industrial uses.
The availability of surface water to meet current uses varies across the region. Unlike many areas in Georgia the watersheds in the region are much smaller in size and therefore generally have lower flow conditions and are more vulnerable to drought. Consequently, on several of these smaller rivers (i.e., Alapaha, Satilla, and Withlacoochee Rivers) with higher water use, river flows are at times (during drier years) insufficient to meet both off-stream uses and instream needs.
Groundwater supplies are currently sufficient on a regional basis to meet uses across the region.
Under current conditions, there are several locations in the region where dissolved oxygen levels may be insufficient to assimilate wastewater discharges.
Water quality in several river reaches and water bodies does not meet the designated use for the resource. The majority of these occurrences are associated with low dissolved oxygen and fecal coliform.

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3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region
Region. As described in more detail below, the term "gap" is used to indicate when the current or future use of water has been identified as potentially causing unreasonable local or regional impacts.

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3.2.1. Current Surface Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity)

The Water Quality (Assimilative

Figure 3-5: Assimilative Capacity Models

Capacity)

Resource

Legend
DOSag Model RIV1 Model

Assessment (EPD, 2017) estimates the capacity of Georgia's surface waters to

GA Estuary Model

absorb pollutants without

Watershed Model Lakes/Harbor Model Major Waterway

unacceptable degradation of water quality. The term

Water PSlaCnning Region
County Boundary
Lake

assimilative capacity refers to the ability of a water body to naturally assimilate pollutants

via chemical and biological

processes without exceeding

State water quality standards

or harming aquatic life. The

Water Quality (Assimilative

Capacity)

Resource

Assessment evaluated the

capacity of surface waters to

process pollutants without

violating water quality

standards. The current (also

referred to as baseline)

assimilative capacity results

focus on dissolved oxygen

(DO), and nutrients in some

areas of the State (specifically

nitrogen and phosphorus), and

chlorophyll-a (a parameter that

is closely tied to lake water

quality). The assessments

evaluate the impact of current wastewater and stormwater discharges with current

withdrawals, land use, and meteorological conditions.

Assimilative Capacity Modeling (Dissolved Oxygen)
One measure of the capacity of a stream to maintain its health and the health of the aquatic species living therein is the amount of residual DO in the stream. As shown in Table 3-1 and Figure 3-5, DO modeling was performed by EPD for each reach that has upstream wastewater dischargers (light blue segments). Each segment was classified as exceeding DO capacity, meeting DO capacity, or having available DO capacity. The results of the current DO modeling are presented in Figure 3-6 for the Suwannee-Satilla Region, which primarily includes portions of the Suwannee, Satilla, and St. Marys River basins as well as small portions of the Ochlockonee and Ocmulgee basins. The current assimilative capacity results represent municipal and industrial wastewater facilities operating at their full permitted discharge levels (flow

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3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region

and effluent discharge limits as of 2014). It should be noted that most permit holders do not operate at their full permitted capacity, and therefore, these results should not necessarily be viewed as reflective of actual current conditions. When reviewing the figures, the following points should be kept in mind: segments shown with exceeded assimilative capacity may result from a number of factors including point and/or nonpoint sources of pollutants, modeling assumptions regarding wastewater discharge, stream flow and temperature, and naturally low DO conditions in the receiving stream. When model results show DO assimilative capacity as exceeded, a potential "gap" exists between the amount of pollutants discharged and the ability of the receiving stream to assimilate the pollutants. These points were considered when developing recommended strategies to address water quality needs in the region.

Table 3-1: Assimilative Capacity for DO in Suwannee-Satilla Planning Council (under current permit conditions)

Basin Ochlockonee

Available Assimilative Capacity (Total Mileage)

Very Good (>1.0 mg/L)

Good (0.5 to <1.0 mg/L)

Moderate (0.2 to <0.5 mg/L)

Limited (>0.0 to
<0.2 mg/L)

None or Exceeded
(<0.0 mg/L)

Unmodeled

0

0

0

0

3

0

Total River Miles in
the Council
Area
3

Ocmulgee

3

33

0

0

0

0

36

Satilla

73

91

31

14

60

0

269

St Marys

0

0

6

3

12

0

21

Suwannee 289 91

54

0

85

5

524

Source: GIS Files from the Updated Water Quality Resource Assessment; EPD, January 2017 Notes: Suwannee Basin includes many local creeks and rivers such as the, Willacoochee River, Alapaha River, New River, Withlacoochee River, Alapahoochee River, Woodyard Creek, Cane Creek and many other smaller tributaries. The Ocmulgee River makes up the northeastern boarder of Ben Hill County and the northern board of Coffee County. The Aucilla River is a tributary to the Ochlockonee but only 3 river miles are actually in the Suwannee Satilla region near the southwest corner of Brooks County near Thomas County and the Florida State line. Approximately 34 of those river miles originate in Thomas County and then flow into Brooks County.

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Figure 3-6: Results of Assimilative Capacity Assessment DO under Current Permit Conditions

SUWANNEE-SATILLA BASIN

SUWANNEE BASIN

SATILLA BASIN

ST. MARYS BASIN

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Nutrient Modeling
In addition to Assimilative Capacity modeling for DO, EPD completed nutrient (total nitrogen and total phosphorous) modeling for the watersheds in the SuwanneeSatilla region. The location of the watershed model boundaries, and harbors and estuaries model locations are shown in Figure 3-5. There are currently no nutrient standards for total nitrogen and total phosphorus, but these standards may be developed within this region following a public stakeholder process(es). The watershed models evaluate point and non-point source nutrient loadings of total phosphorus and total nitrogen to the Brunswick Harbor and to the state line. The Suwannee-Satilla Council proactively identified several non-point source best management practices (BMPs) that can be used to help reduce nutrient loading as discussed in Section 6.

3.2.2. Surface Water Availability

The Surface Water

Availability

Resource Figure 3-7: Model Nodes for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Assessment (EPD 2017)

estimates the availability of

surface water to meet

current and future

municipal,

industrial,

agricultural, and thermal

power water needs as well

as the needs of instream

and downstream users. The

assessment evaluated the

impact

of

water

consumption on stream

flows at certain locations in

each river basin. Modeled

stream flows were

compared with a flow

regime based on low flow

thresholds (7Q10 from state

policy) selected as

indicators of the potential for water consumption to impact instream uses such as

fishing, boating, and aquatic life habitat. It should be noted that a stream's 7Q10 is a

statistical figure that reflects the lowest 7-day running average of a stream's flow with

a recurrence frequency of once in 10 years.

As shown in Figure 3-7, there are several surface water planning nodes located in the Suwannee-Satilla Region (shown as yellow circles with red triangles). Planning nodes are locations along a river where there is a long-term record of river flow measurements. At each node, the surface water availability models applied the current cumulative upstream consumptive uses of water (i.e., withdrawals minus returns) and authorized reservoir operations to stream flows from 1939 to 2013. The modeled flow was compared with the flow regime; where the modeled stream flow was less than the

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flow regime, a potential "gap" was identified. The potential gaps were analyzed in terms of both magnitude (i.e., the amount by which the modeled stream flow fell below the flow regime) and duration (i.e., the number of days the stream flow fell below the flow regime). Surface water potential gaps exist under current conditions at the following planning nodes: Atkinson (Satilla River), Jennings (Alapaha River), Pinetta (Withlacoochee River), and Statenville (Alapaha River). There are no potential gaps at Fargo. At the nodes with potential gaps, during certain low flow periods, there is not sufficient surface water to meet current off-stream demands and also meet the targets for support of instream uses. More detailed information about potential gaps at these nodes under future conditions is included in Section 5.
In the Suwannee-Satilla Region and surrounding area, critical low flow conditions occur on river systems that do not have any upstream storage reservoirs. In these situations, the Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment uses the unimpaired (meaning estimated flows without off-stream uses) monthly 7-day low flow that occurred over a 10-year period or the daily unimpaired flow (whichever is the lowest value) as the low flow thresholds to determine the flow regime. It is important to note that when a potential surface water gap exists, management practices are needed to address times when off-stream uses increase the severity and/or frequency of low flow conditions. Low flow conditions have been and will continue to occur; and the Suwannee-Satilla Council's management practices are not utilized to address naturally occurring low flow conditions. The results of the current conditions potential gaps are shown in Table 3-2.

Table 3-2: Summary of Modeled Current Conditions Surface Water Gaps

Node

Duration of Gap (%
of total days)

Average Flow Deficit

Long-term

Maximum Corresponding

Average Flow 1-Day Gap Flow Regime

Atkinson

24 cfs

2,208 cfs

69 cfs

188 cfs

10

(16 MGD)

(1,427 MGD)

(45 MGD)

(76 MGD)

Jennings

33 cfs

1,367 cfs

103 cfs

161 cfs

11

(21 MGD)

(883 MGD)

(67 MGD)

(104 MGD)

Pinetta

45 cfs

1,687 cfs

118 cfs

190 cfs

12

(29 MGD)

(1,090 MGD)

(76 MGD)

(123 MGD)

Statenville

26 cfs

1,047 cfs

89 cfs

100 cfs

17

(17 MGD)

(677 MGD)

(58 MGD)

(65 MGD)

Source: Surface Water Availability Assessment, May 2017, EPD Note: Surface Water Availability modeling simulation period is from 1939 to 2013

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3.2.3. Current Groundwater Availability
The Groundwater Availability Resource Assessment (EPD, March 2010) estimates the sustainable yield for prioritized groundwater resources based on existing data. EPD prioritized the aquifers based on the characteristics of the aquifer, evidence of negative effects, anticipated negative impacts, and other considerations. This assessment identified the sustainable yield, or the volume of groundwater that can be used without negative impacts. Negative impacts include limiting use of neighboring wells (drawdown as a consequence of withdrawal), significantly reducing groundwater contributions to stream baseflows, and the permanent reduction of groundwater levels. If negative impacts occur or are expected to occur, then a groundwater "gap" exists. The Suwannee-Satilla Region will coordinate usage with other water planning regions to meet the sustainable yield for each groundwater source.

Figure 3-8: Sub-regions Associated with the Coastal Permitting Plan

Groundwater from the Floridan aquifer is a vital resource for the Suwannee-

Satilla Region. In 2005,

groundwater was relied upon

to meet about 73% of the

water use in the region

(USGS,

2009).

The

Suwannee-Satilla Region

shares its groundwater

resources with portions of

North Florida. Coordination

was conducted with the

Suwannee River Water

Management District and St.

Johns

River

Water

Management District to obtain

current Florida groundwater

use data, which were

incorporated into the

Groundwater

Availability

Resource

Assessment.

Overall, the results from the

March 2010 Groundwater

Availability

Resource

Assessment indicate that on a

regional basis, for the

prioritized aquifers, there is

sufficient groundwater supply

Source: Coastal Georgia Water and Wastewater Permitting Plan for Managing Salt Water Intrusion

to meet current needs. However, localized issues

may occur if groundwater well densities or withdrawal rates are greater than the

scenarios evaluated in the Resource Assessment. For the Suwannee-Satilla Region,

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3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region
the Resource Assessment model boundary for the sustainable yield estimates did not include southern Ware, southern Brantley, and Charlton Counties, as these counties are included in an ongoing United States Geological Survey model of the Floridan aquifer and, therefore, were not included in the Eastern Coastal Plain model boundaries for the Resource Assessment.
As shown in Figure 3-8, 24 counties in southeast Georgia are subject to the Coastal Georgia Water and Wastewater Permitting Plan for Managing Salt Water Intrusion (Coastal Permitting Plan) (www.gadnr.org/cws/). There are five counties (Bacon, Brantley, Charlton, Pierce, and Ware Counties) in the Suwannee-Satilla Region that are located within the Green Zone. Per the Coastal Permitting Plan, there are no pumping restrictions from the Floridan aquifer in this area; however, there are water conservation requirements related to groundwater withdrawals.
3.3. Current Ecosystem Conditions and Instream Uses
The Suwannee-Satilla Region encompasses parts of the Southern Coastal Plain and Southeastern Plains ecoregions. The rivers in these ecoregions support a diversity of fish and wildlife species and provide numerous recreational opportunities. The Department of Natural Resources manages one Public Fishing Area (Berrien County) and two Wildlife Management Areas (Coffee and Ware Counties) in the SuwanneeSatilla Region. The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge (Ware, Charlton, and Clinch Counties) contains one of the largest peat-based freshwater swamps in the world and is home to over 400 species of animals. All of these areas provide public access to rivers and lakes for fishing, hunting, and other recreational activities.
With over 1.29 million resident anglers, fishing is the most popular wildlife-related activity in Georgia (GADNR-WRD 2006). The Suwannee River, which begins in Georgia and discharges into the Gulf of Mexico, is well-known to anglers for its warmouth, flier, chain pickerel, and bullhead catfish. The Satilla and St. Marys rivers, which discharge into the Atlantic Ocean, are better known for their redbreast sunfish, bluegill, redear sunfish, black crappie, largemouth bass, and catfish. Because they are directly linked to Georgia's coastal ecosystem, the Satilla and St. Marys rivers also support commercial fisheries in Georgia for blue crabs, shrimp, and eels, and recreational fisheries for nearshore species such as red drum and sea trout.
The Satilla and St. Marys rivers provide important riverine habitat for small populations of shortnose sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, American shad, and American eel--all diadromous species that travel between the ocean and freshwater rivers to breed--as well as striped bass, a very popular sport fish. Because these populations are small and depend on varying mixtures of salt and fresh water at different life stages, they are susceptible to changes in water quality and flow.
The 2005 Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy identified 71 high priority animals that inhabit the southern Coastal Plain ecoregion and 85 high priority animals in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion (more information is available at www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1370). Several of these amphibians, fish, mammals,

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3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region
mollusks, and reptiles depend on rivers for part or all of their lifecycle. Federally endangered species in the Suwannee-Satilla Region that inhabit rivers include the shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). There are 25 identified high priority habitats in the Southern Coastal Plain ecoregion and 27 high priority habitats in the Southeastern Plains (CWCS, 2005) (for more information on high priority waters and protected species go to www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1377 and www.georgiawildlife.com/node/1366). Riverine systems and processes are important to many of these habitats such as alluvial rivers and swamps, bottomland hardwood forests, blackwater streams, canebreaks, and open-water ponds and lakes.
In the Southern Coastal Plain ecoregion, conservation lands make up 14% of the land area. The percentage of lands in conservation is lower in the Southeastern Plains ecoregion at 2.6% (CWCS, 2005). Several rivers and watersheds in this planning region have been identified as ecologically important, including the St. Marys, Ocmulgee, and Suwannee rivers. These high priority streams and watersheds are considered important for the conservation of at least one high priority habitat or species and were identified during the development of WRD's Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy (2005).
The Satilla and St. Marys Rivers flow from the Suwannee-Satilla Region through the Coastal Regional Council boundary and discharge to the Atlantic Ocean. The coastal area contains a unique combination of fresh, brackish and salt water environments. The area is defined by barrier islands, sand beaches, open Atlantic Ocean, and there are 9 major estuaries including 350,000 acres of salt marsh and 150,000 acres of open water. Shipping channels are maintained in three estuaries the lower Savannah River, St. Simons, and Cumberland. Otherwise, the remainder are very similar in depth, size and other physical characteristics as they were at the time of European settlements of Georgia.
An estuary is a semi-enclosed body of water, which has a free connection with the sea and within which sea water is measurably diluted with fresh water. Without the fresh water input, such areas in Georgia would be salt water lagoons or bays. A key characteristic of an estuary is salinity, which can be highly variable depending on the location within the estuary and the estuaries itself. Sources of fresh water for an estuary include: fresh water river discharges, industrial and municipal discharges of groundwater after use and treatment, and upwelling of groundwater through geologic features. Estuarine environments support a diversity of life, both aquatic and terrestrial, unparalleled in other portions of the State. Hundreds of species of animals and plants exist because of the unique mixing of salt water and fresh water. If the fresh water were removed, the diversity would change immensely from what is found today. Maintaining freshwater inputs to Georgia's estuaries is vital for maintaining a unique coastal environment, which provides a myriad of social and economic benefits, as well as invaluable ecological services to the citizens of Georgia. (Personal Communication: Spud Woodward, Coastal Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources).

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Impaired Water Bodies
Under Section 303(d) of the federal Clean Water Act (CWA), a total maximum daily load (TMDL) must be developed for waters that do not meet their designated uses. A TMDL represents the maximum pollutant loading that a water body can assimilate and continue meeting its designated use (i.e., not exceeding State water quality standards). A water body is deemed to be impaired if it does not meet the applicable criteria for a particular pollutant; consequently, TMDLs are required to be established for these waters to reduce the concentrations of the exceeding parameters in order to comply with State water quality standards. For the Suwannee-Satilla Region, there are 83 impaired stream reaches (total impaired length of 946 miles) as shown in Figure 39.
Of the impaired reaches in the region (note that a reach may be impaired for more than one parameter):
35% are impaired for trophic-weighted residual mercury in fish tissue
30% are impaired for low dissolved oxygen
28% are impaired for fecal coliform
3% are impaired for lead
1% are impaired for Biological (Fish Community)
1% are impaired for Biological (Macroinvertebrate Community)
1% are impaired for pH
1% are impaired for algae
<1% are impaired for Arsenic
TMDLs have been completed for 73 of the impaired stream reaches.

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3. Water Resources of the Suwannee-Satilla Region
Figure 3-9: Suwannee-Satilla Region Impaired Waters

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

Section 4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

Water and wastewater demand forecasts, along with the Resource Assessments (Section 3), form the

Summary

foundation for water planning in the Suwannee-Satilla Region and serve as the basis for the selection of management practices (Sections 6 and 7). This section presents the regional water and wastewater forecasts from 2015 through 2050 for four water use sectors: municipal, industrial, agriculture, and thermoelectric generation.

Over planning horizon, the population in the SuwanneeSatilla Region is projected to grow by 20%, increasing the demands for surface water and groundwater and increasing the quantity of

During the regional planning process, the majority of wastewater generated.

Suwannee-Satilla Council members identified the following objectives for the forecast process. The two primary objectives were:

Total water withdrawals by municipal, industrial, and agricultural sectors are

Ensuring accurate data, and

forecasted to increase by 16% (43 MGD) from 2015 to

Ensuring that data are not used to establish 2050.

regional or local mandates.

Total wastewater flows are

Central to these objectives is the overarching goal to develop consistent and comparable sets of data. This means that select data sets (common year for data

projected to increase by 19% (13 MGD) over the same period.

inputs and comprehensive coverage of the State) in

many cases have broader coverage of the State, but may not be as precise as local

provider level data. During development of the Regional Water Plan, there was a

concerted effort to strike a balance between broad coverage and local data. This was

accomplished by using consistent data collection on a regional basis modified as

appropriate with local provider input. These data and resulting forecasts are not

applicable between regions or between providers within the region.

The methodology to forecast water and wastewater demands is based primarily on the assumption that there will be a continuation of existing trends and practices. It does not make a determination regarding the efficiency or inefficiency of forecasted demands, only that they are expected to occur given current trends. Initial forecasting does not take into account management practices, including water conservation (other than passive conservation as described in more detail below) that may be adopted by Regional Water Planning Councils to reduce the expected magnitude of demand (see Sections 6-8 for additional details on water conservation and other management practices). Additionally, this forecasting effort does not change EPD requirements related to individual permitting decisions, but represents a forecast for regional water planning that will help guide permitting and funding decisions.

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

4.1. Municipal Forecasts
Municipal water includes water supplied to residences, commercial businesses, and small industries (those not included in the major industrial sectors are identified in Section 4.2). Residential water uses include water for normal household purposes: cooking, bathing, and clothes washing, among others. Commercial water uses include water used by hotels, restaurants, retail stores, and office buildings, among others. Municipal water demands may be served by public water systems, private water systems, or self-supplied by the user (such as individual wells).
Population Projections
Municipal water and wastewater forecasts are closely tied to population projections for the counties within the Suwannee-Satilla Region. The population projections were developed by the Georgia Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, which is charged in State law (O.C.G.A. 45-12-171) with the responsibility for preparing, maintaining, and furnishing official demographic data for the State. The population projection results by county are shown in Table 4-1.

Table 4-1: Population Projections by County

County

2015

2020

2030

2040

Atkinson Bacon Ben Hill Berrien Brantley Brooks Charlton Clinch Coffee Cook Echols Irwin Lanier Lowndes Pierce Tift Turner Ware

8,340 11,437 17,691 19,022 18,517 15,464 13,411 6,848 43,907 17,268 4,090 9,428 10,712 116,023 19,384 40,979 7,940 35,911

8,443 11,986 18,116 18,911 19,054 15,287 13,798 6,964 45,604 17,764 4,154 9,409 11,447 123,740 20,528 42,638 7,470 36,381

8,460 13,017 18,864 18,304 19,775 14,556 14,472 7,042 48,748 18,635 4,184 9,183 12,845 138,246 22,997 45,499 6,579 36,889

Total

416,372

431,694

458,295

Source: Governor's Office of Planning and Budget (2015)

8,243 13,859 19,426 17,055 19,783 13,475 14,902 6,910 51,489 19,188 4,104 8,768 14,310 152,066 25,452 47,863 5,626 36,586
479,105

2050
7,910 14,686 19,957 15,446 19,462 12,424 15,182 6,747 54,465 19,604 3,916 8,347 15,752 166,258 28,211 49,902 4,736 35,894 498,899

Difference (2015 to 2050)
-430 3,249 2,266 -3,576 945 -3,040 1,771 -101 10,558 2,336 -174 -1,081 5,040 50,235 8,827 8,923 -3,204
-17
82,527

% Increase (2015
2050)
-5% 28% 13% -19% 5% -20% 13% -1% 24% 14% -4% -11% 47% 43% 46% 22% -40% 0%
20%

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs
Municipal Water Forecasts
The municipal water forecasts were calculated by multiplying the baseline per capita water use rate by the population served. Per capita water use rates are different for public water systems in comparison to self-supplied water use; therefore, the demands are calculated separately and then summed together. The publicly-supplied water use rate was determined for each county within the region. The self-supply per capita demand is estimated at 100 gallons per capita per day (gpcd).
To support this Plan update, EPD reviewed withdrawal data and the estimated population served reported by permitted municipal water systems from the years 2010 through 2014. Based on the trends observed from that data, an adjustment factor for each County was developed and applied to the gallons per capita per day values used in 2010 for public-supplied municipal demand. The self-supplied per capita values remained unchanged.
The forecasted water use rates for the Suwannee-Satilla Region were further adjusted based on two plumbing code changes, which mandate new water saving lavatory fixtures. The National Energy Policy Act of 1992 reduced the maximum toilet flush volume from 3.5 to 1.6 gallons per flush for all toilets available in the U.S. starting in 1994. The Georgia Water Stewardship Act of 2010 reduces the maximum flush volume to 1.28 gallons per flush for all new toilets installed in Georgia after July 1, 2012. As new homes are constructed and less efficient toilets are replaced within existing housing stock, the water use rate is reduced over time. Additional information on plumbing code efficiency adjustments and rationale for per capita water use is available in the Suwannee-Satilla Water and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum (CDM Smith, 2017).
Total municipal water demands are shown in Figure 4-1 for the Suwannee-Satilla Region. In addition, this figure shows the distribution in demands resulting from public water systems and self-supply systems. In the Suwannee-Satilla Region, all municipal water demands are satisfied by utilizing groundwater as the sole source for withdrawals.

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

Municipal Wastewater Forecasts
Municipal wastewater forecasts are based on estimates of indoor municipal (public and self-supplied) water use. Indoor water use may be treated by centralized treatment plants or onsite sanitary sewage (septic) systems. Centralized treatment plants may discharge to a water body or to a land application system (LAS).
In 2010, estimates of wastewater generated from publicly-supplied and self-supplied water use (from the passive conservation scenario above) were calculated and then assigned to septic and centralized wastewater flows. U.S. Census data on the percent of households with septic systems were obtained by county. For planning purposes, it was estimated that 100% of the wastewater generated from self-supplied water use is disposed of via septic system. Dividing the number of municipally supplied households on septic by the U.S. Census estimate of the number of households by county provided an estimate of the percent of municipally supplied households that discharged to septic systems.
Wastewater effluent flow from centralized treatment facilities is either discharged as a point source to a receiving water body or to an LAS. Information obtained from existing EPD permit data as well as feedback from municipal suppliers was used to determine the ratio of point discharge to land application systems for each county.
For this Plan update, the percent of county total wastewater flow that is septic was retained, with the septic flow forecast adjusted based on the percent change in county

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs
population between the prior (2010) and updated (2015) OPB population projections. Centralized wastewater flows from 2014, including point discharges and LAS, were analyzed. The sum of the 2014 point discharges per county was adjusted based on any adjustment in the ratio of septic/centralized treatment over time as well as the population projections. Similarly, the sum of 2014 land application system flows by county was adjusted based on the ratio of septic/centralized treatment over time and the population projections.
Municipal wastewater forecasts are shown in Figure 4-2.

4.2. Industrial Forecasts
Industrial water and wastewater forecasts anticipate the future needs from the following major water-using industries within the Suwannee-Satilla Region: mining, food, textile, apparel, paper, chemicals, fabricated metals, and electrical equipment. Industries require water for processes, sanitation, cooling, and other purposes, in addition to domestic (employee) water use. Some industries, such as poultry processors, operate under strict U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines that require water use to maintain sanitary conditions within the facilities. Water need (i.e., the total water requirements of an industry, or the water withdrawals) is based on either production or employment, depending on the available information.
Employment Projections
The employment projections provided information on the anticipated employment growth rate for each industrial sector. The University of Georgia (UGA) produced the industry-specific rates of growth in employment for EPD, which were then used to

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

calculate the future water needs for specific industries within the Suwannee-Satilla Region. General employment in heavy water-using industries such as mining, food, textile (carpet), paper, fabricated metal products, chemicals, and electrical equipment sectors shows an upward trend throughout the planning period, while employment projections in the apparel, and textile (fabric) sectors decreased. In situations where there was a decrease in employment for major water using industries, the water use forecast was held constant over the planning horizon.
Industrial Water Forecasts
Industrial water use was calculated based on available information including water need per unit of production, units of production per employee, and water need by employee. For industries where information was available on water use per unit of production, water forecasts were based on production. For industries where product based forecasting was not possible, industry-specific workforce projections were used to project the rate of future growth in water use within the industry. Industry employment data are readily available, and employment is linked to production, and thus indirectly linked to water requirements. By assuming that water use per production unit, and production per employee remain the same over the forecast period, future water needs can be estimated by future employment. Table 4-2 shows the baseline and alternate industrial water demands over the planning period.

Table 4-2: Baseline and Alternate Industrial Water Demands (in AAD-MGD)

Category

2015 2020 2030 2040 2050

Baseline Industrial

15.0 15.6 16.0 16.5 17.0

Alternate Industrial

15.5 16.7 18.3 20.1 22.0

Source: Suwannee-Satilla Water and Wastewater Technical Memorandum; CDM Smith (2017).

In addition to the baseline industrial water demand forecast, the Suwannee-Satilla Council elected to develop an alternate forecast that includes an additional (above the baseline forecast) 5 MGD of industrial demand by 2050 (starting in 2015 and added incrementally every 10 years). While the Suwannee-Satilla Council could not identify the specific industries or locations, the general consensus was that the region is attractive to industry from a cost of operations and abundant water resources perspective. The Suwannee-Satilla Council recommended alternate industrial water and wastewater forecast is shown graphically in Figure 4-3. Industrial water demands in the Suwannee-Satilla Region are satisfied mainly through groundwater withdrawals, although some minor surface water withdrawals also occur.
Industrial Wastewater Forecasts
Industrial wastewater forecasts were calculated for each sector by multiplying the industrial water use by the ratio of wastewater to water for that industrial sector. For example, in the apparel category, for every gallon of water used, there will be 0.6 gallon of wastewater produced. For the paper category, for every gallon of water used, there will be 1.0 gallon of wastewater produced. In some categories, this approach estimates that more wastewater will be produced than the gallons of water used. This

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs
occurs when wastewater treatment tanks and ponds are located outside the industrial facility and collect precipitation. This rainwater adds to the total wastewater effluent discharged or land-applied. Stone and gravel quarries also have to discharge rainwater that accumulates in the operational pits, and this flow adds to the permitted discharge. Thus, some industries have a wastewater to water use ratio greater than 1.0.
Once the industrial wastewater flows were estimated, the flows were separated between point discharges and land application. The industrial wastewater forecasts are presented in Figure 4-3 by the anticipated disposal system type: industrial wastewater treatment (point discharge), LAS, or discharge for municipal wastewater treatment. These are based upon the alternate industrial water forecasts presented in Table 4-2.

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4.3. Agricultural Forecasts
The agricultural water use forecasts include irrigation demands for both crop and noncrop (including livestock, nurseries, and golf courses) uses. The crop forecasts, developed by the Georgia Water Planning & Policy Center at Albany State University (GWPPC), with support from the University of Georgia's (UGA) College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for 2015 through 2050, provide a range of irrigation water use from dry to wet climate conditions based on the acres irrigated for each crop. Table 4-3 lists a drier-than-normal year crop irrigation forecast for each county.
Non-crop (including non-permitted) agricultural water demands were identified with the assistance of industry associations. Similar to crop irrigation, forecasts for nursery and

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

greenhouse water use were also developed for a range of climate conditions over the planning period. For planning purposes, the drier-than-normal nurseries/greenhouse forecasts are presented in Table 4-3. For golf courses and livestock production, current water forecasts were developed, but future forecasts were not developed for this first round of regional water planning due to lack of available data. Current water demands were held constant throughout the planning period for these water use sectors.

Table 4-3: Agricultural Water Forecast by County (in AAD-MGD)1,2

County
Atkinson Bacon Ben Hill Berrien Brantley Brooks Charlton Clinch Coffee Cook Echols Irwin Lanier Lowndes Pierce Tift Turner

2015
8.5 7.2 8.1 20.2 0.65 25.0 0 3.9 14.5 15.4 2.9 29.8 5.4 10.0 8.3 19.9 25.8

2020
8.6 7.4 8.2 21.1 0.66 25.5 0 4.0 14.6 15.6 3.0 30.3 5.7 10.5 8.5 20.2 26.2

2030
8.9 7.9 8.4 22.7 0.69 26.6 0 4.3 15.0 16.2 3.1 31.3 6.3 11.7 8.8 20.9 27.2

2040
9.1 8.3 8.5 24.2 0.71 27.5 0 4.6 15.2 16.6 3.1 31.8 6.8 12.8 9.0 21.4 27.9

2050
9.2 8.7 8.6 25.6 0.73 28.3 0 4.8 15.3 17.1 3.2 32.4 7.4 14.0 9.2 22.0 28.6

Ware

5.1

5.3

5.5

5.8

6.0

Total

210.6

215.6

225.6

233.4

241.1

1Source: Coastal Georgia Water and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum (2017). 2The agricultural demands represent dry year conditions, in which 75% of years had more rainfall and 25% of years had less

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs
Figure 4-4 shows the regional agricultural demands by source of supply. Agriculture is a very important economic driver in the Suwannee-Satilla Region. Throughout the planning period, forecasted agricultural water demand for the region is approximately 3 times the combined municipal and industrial water demand. The Suwannee-Satilla Region as a whole is expected to see an increase of 14% in agricultural water demand by 2050. The largest increase in forecasted demand occurs in Lowndes County, with a 40% increase by 2050. Lanier, Berrien, and Clinch Counties have the next largest forecasted demand increases, at 37%, 26%, and 24% respectively. All other counties in the region are forecast to have increases of 20% or less through 2050. Charlton County has no forecasted increase in agricultural water demand through 2050. As shown in Figure 4-4, the majority of the agricultural withdrawals (approximately 75%) are supplied by groundwater and the remainder by surface water.

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

4.4. Water for Thermoelectric Power Forecasts
Thermoelectric water withdrawal and consumption demands were developed for the State of Georgia based on forecasted power generation needs and assumptions regarding future energy generation processes. There is no existing or currently planned thermoelectric power generated in the Suwannee-Satilla Region, so the associated water demand is zero for 2015 through 2050 as shown in Table 4-4.

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

Within the previous statewide analysis, the generating capacity of the existing and planned facilities was not able to meet the projected statewide power needs through 2050 and additional generating capacity was assumed to be developed beyond 2020. Additional generating capacity may be needed to meet the statewide power need estimate. However, the water requirements associated with the potential new capacity are minimal; less than 20 MGD withdrawals and less than 10 MGD consumption, statewide. Thus, no future water demands for currently unassigned power generation facilities have been added to the estimates for the Suwannee-Satilla region within this update.
Suwannee-Satilla Council has elected to qualitatively assess the potential for energy development in the region by continuing to monitor renewable energy policy.

Table 4-4: Regional Thermoelectric Water Forecast (in AAD-MGD)

Category

2015

2020

2030

Existing and Planned Facilities' Withdrawals

0

0

0

Existing and Planned Facilities' Consumption

0

0

0

Source: Update of GA Energy Needs & Generating Facilities (2016)

2040 0 0

2050 0 0

4.5. Total Water Demand Forecasts
Total water demand forecasts in 2015 and 2050 for the Suwannee-Satilla Region are summarized in Figure 4-5. This figure presents the forecasts for municipal, industrial (baseline forecast), industrial (alternate forecast), and agricultural uses. Overall, the region is expected to grow by 16% (43 MGD) in water demand from 2015 through 2050.
Total wastewater flow forecasts in 2015 and 2050 for the Suwannee-Satilla Region are summarized in Figure 4-6. This figure presents the forecasts for municipal and industrial flows divided by septic, LAS, and industrial to municipal WWTP discharges. Overall, the region is expected to grow by 19% (14 MGD) in wastewater flows from 2015 through 2050.

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4. Forecasting Future Water Resource Needs

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5. COMPARISON OF AVAILABLE RESOURCE CAPACITY AND FUTURE NEEDS

5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Section 5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

This Section compares the water and wastewater demand forecasts (Section 4), along with the Resource Assessments (Section 3), providing the basis for selecting water management practices (Sections 6 and 7). Areas where projected future demands exceed the estimated capacity of the resource have a gap that will be addressed through water management practices. This Section summarizes the potential gaps and water supply needs for the Suwannee-Satilla Region.

Summary
Forecasted surface water demands within and outside the region are projected, at times, to exceed the available resources at some locations in the Region (Alapaha, Suwannee, Satilla, and Withlacoochee Rivers).

5.1. Groundwater Availability Comparisons

Regionally, there is sufficient groundwater to meet forecasted needs over the next 35 years.

Groundwater from the Floridan aquifer is a vital resource for the Suwannee-Satilla Region. Overall, the results from the Groundwater Availability Resource Assessment (EPD, March 2010) indicate that the estimated range of sustainable yield for the modeled portions of the

Water quality conditions indicate the potential need for improved wastewater treatment within the Suwannee, Satilla, and St. Marys River basins.

regional aquifer(s) is greater than the updated Addressing non-point sources of

forecasted demands (see Figure 5-1).

pollution and existing water quality

impairments will be a part of

At this time, no regional groundwater resource gaps are expected to occur in the SuwanneeSatilla Region over the planning horizon.

addressing the region's future needs.

However, depending on the pattern of

groundwater development, local groundwater availability may not be able to meet all

needs. In addition, some counties including Brantley, Echols, Lanier, and Pierce

Counties may need additional permitted capacity if future demand for groundwater

exceeds permitted groundwater withdrawal limits. The comparison of existing

municipal groundwater permitted capacity to forecasted future demand in the

Suwannee-Satilla Region is shown in Table 5-1. Please note that sufficient capacity at

the county level does not preclude localized municipal permit capacity shortages.

Local water providers in counties with large demand forecasts should review their

permitting needs.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Figure 5-1: Floridan Aquifer Demand vs. Estimated Yield
Forecasted Groundwater Demand Floridan Aquifer in South Central Georgia & Eastern Coastal Plain 1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

2015 Suwannee-Satilla

Year

2050 Other Councils

High Sustainable Yield

Low Sustainable Yield

Sources: Groundwater Availability Assessment, January 2011, EPD Technical Memorandum: Suwannee- Satilla Water and Wastewater Forecasting, 2017

SUWANNEE-SATILLA
MGD

Table 5-1: 2050 Municipal Forecast versus Groundwater Permitted Capacity

County

2015 Public Demand Forecast
(AAD MGD)

2050 Public Demand Forecast
(AAD MGD)

Existing Groundwater
Permitted Capacity (AAD-
MGD)

Additional Permitted Capacity
Needed in 2050 (MGD)*

Atkinson

0.43

0.38

0.90

-

Bacon

0.66

0.80

1.50

-

Ben Hill

2.47

2.63

5.50

-

Berrien

1.10

0.83

1.73

-

Brantley

0.25

0.24

0.20

0.04

Brooks

0.97

0.73

3.55

-

Charlton

0.71

0.75

1.40

-

Clinch

0.45

0.42

0.75

-

Coffee

2.53

2.95

6.80

-

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Table 5-1: 2050 Municipal Forecast versus Groundwater Permitted Capacity

County

2015 Public Demand Forecast
(AAD MGD)

2050 Public Demand Forecast
(AAD MGD)

Existing Groundwater
Permitted Capacity (AAD-
MGD)

Additional Permitted Capacity
Needed in 2050 (MGD)*

Cook

1.29

1.36

4.00

-

Echols

0.08

0.07

0

0.07

Irwin

0.52

0.43

0.70

-

Lanier

0.60

0.83

0.70

0.13

Lowndes

12.35

16.60

19.04

-

Pierce

0.71

0.96

0.83

0.13

Tift

4.50

5.16

9.18

-

Turner

0.74

0.41

1.90

-

Ware

3.32

3.00

7.40

-

*Analysis does not account for demands in one County that may be met by permits from another County

5.2. Surface Water Availability Comparisons
Surface water is an important resource used to meet current and future needs of the Suwannee-Satilla Region, especially in the agricultural sector. There are several surface water planning nodes located in and around the Suwannee-Satilla Region. From the updated Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment (EPD, 2017), the basic conclusions of the current and future conditions modeling show potential surface water gaps (i.e., times when there may be insufficient water to meet off-stream demands and also meet the targets for support of instream uses) at the following nodes:
Atkinson (Satilla River) potential surface water gaps under current and future conditions
Fargo (Suwannee River) no significant surface water gaps modeled under current and future conditions
Gross (Saint Marys River) no significant surface water gaps modeled under current and future conditions
Jennings (Alapaha River) potential surface water gaps under current and future conditions
Lumber City (Ocmulgee River) no significant surface water gaps modeled under current and future conditions.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Pinetta (Withlacoochee River) potential surface water gaps under current and future conditions
Statenville (Alapaha River) potential surface water gaps under current and future conditions
The location of these planning nodes and the portion of the Planning Region that is within the local drainage area (LDA) are shown in Figure 5-2. A summary of the modeled potential surface water gaps in 2050 is provided in Table 5-2. The darker shading within the Suwannee-Satilla region indicates the areas that drain to a planning node with potential surface water gaps.

Table 5-2: Summary of Modeled 2050 Potential Surface Water Gaps

Node

Duration of Gap (% of total days)

Average Flow Deficit

Long-term Average Flow

Maximum 1-Day Gap

Corresponding Flow Regime

Atkinson

20 cfs

2,236 cfs

42 cfs

85 cfs

5

(13 MGD) (1,445 MGD) (27 MGD)

(55 MGD)

Jennings

36 cfs

1,380 cfs

109 cfs

135 cfs

8

(23 MGD)

(892 MGD)

(70 MGD)

(87 MGD)

Pinetta

9

46 cfs

1,721 cfs

108 cfs

155 cfs

(30 MGD) (1,112 MGD) (70 MGD)

(100 MGD)

Statenville

32 cfs

1,058 cfs

77 cfs

77 cfs

12

(21 MGD)

(684 MGD)

(50 MGD)

(50 MGD)

Source: Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment, May 2017, EPD Note: Surface Water Availability modeling simulation period is from 1939 to 2013

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs
Figure 5-2: 2050 Potential Surface Water Gap Summary

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs
When assessing this issue, the Suwannee-Satilla Council recognized that modeled surface water gaps are driven by both net consumption (withdrawal minus returns) and year to year variations in river flows. In wet years, the region is likely to not experience any potential gaps to off-stream uses and instream needs. In dry years, the potential gaps are likely to be more severe. In order to better assess these potential gaps and to better understand the types of management practices that may be required, a more detailed quantification of the frequency and severity of modeled potential surface water gaps was completed.
The quantification and frequency of potential gaps is especially relevant when selecting water management practices. For example, if the preferred management practice is to replace surface water diversions with groundwater withdrawals, it is important to know how much flow should be generated and for what length of time. This process will in turn dictate the number and size of wells needed to generate the flow. If a reservoir is the preferred practice, then one needs to know the largest volume of storage that may be needed because stream flow needs can then be addressed by controlling the rate of flow released from the reservoir. In addition, since the largest potential gaps occur less frequently, there are important cost-benefit considerations associated with addressing the largest and more infrequent potential gaps. The quantification and frequency of the projected gaps is provided in Table 5-3. It is important to note that the less severe and more frequent gaps (1- to 7-day and 8- to 14-day potential gaps events) are those that can most likely be addressed by management practices. The more infrequent and severe gaps are indicative of drought conditions and will most likely be addressed through drought management measures implemented by EPD and users in the region.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Table 5-3: Characteristics of Modeled 2050 Potential Surface Water Gaps

Gap Event Duration

Number of Gap
Events (% of Total Gap Events)1

Total Gap Days
(% of Total Days)2

Average Daily Flow Deficit per
Event

Average Cumulative Flow Deficit per Event

Atkinson Node

1-7 days

43

(51.2%)

146 (0.5%)

9 cfs (6 MGD)

35 cfsd (23 MG)

8-14 days 11

(13.1%)

109 (0.4%) 16 cfs (10 MGD) 158 cfsd (103 MG)

15-30 days 17

(20.2%)

403 (1.5%) 21 cfs (14 MGD) 498 cfsd (324 MG)

>30 days 13

(15.5%)

608 (2.2%) 22 cfs (14 MGD) 1,031 cfsd (670 MG)

Totals

84 (100.0%) 1,266 (4.6%)

Jennings Node

1-7 days

88

(54.3%)

249 (0.9%) 11 cfs (7 MGD)

42 cfsd (27 MG)

8-14 days 30

(18.5%)

316 (1.2%) 28 cfs (18 MGD) 308 cfsd (200 MG)

15-30 days 22

(13.6%)

478 (1.7%) 36 cfs (23 MGD) 796 cfsd (517 MG)

>30 days 22

(13.6%) 1,208 (4.4%) 38 cfs (25 MGD) 2,255 cfsd (1,466 MG)

Totals

162 (100.0%) 2,251 (8.2%)

Pinetta Node

1-7 days

96

(51.3%)

313 (1.1%) 16 cfs (10 MGD)

63 cfsd (41 MG)

8-14 days 40

(21.4%)

417 (1.5%) 26 cfs (17 MGD) 274 cfsd (178 MG)

15-30 days 29

(15.5%)

563 (2.1%) 46 cfs (30 MGD) 920 cfsd (598 MG)

>30 days 22

(11.8%) 1,134 (4.1%) 59 cfs (38 MGD) 3,064 cfsd (1,992 MG)

Totals

187 (100.0%) 2,427 (8.9%)

Statenville Node

1-7 days

91

(48.4%)

298 (1.1%)

9 cfs (6 MGD)

37 cfsd (24 MG)

8-14 days 37

(19.7%)

405 (1.5%) 21 cfs (14 MGD) 229 cfsd (149 MG)

15-30 days 27

(14.4%)

554 (2.0%) 26 cfs (17 MGD) 536 cfsd (348 MG)

>30 days 33

(17.6%) 2,044 (7.5%) 38 cfs (25 MGD) 2,444 cfsd (1,589 MG)

Totals

188 (100.0%) 3,301 (12.1%)

1The total number of modeled gap events in presented, as well as the percentage of that total to the total number of all modeled gap events.
2The total number of days within the modeling period (1939-2013) in which a potential gap occurred is presented, as well as the percentage of that total to the total number of days analyzed in the modeling period.

The projected increased use of surface water for the counties within the SuwanneeSatilla Region that have potential current and future modeled gaps is shown in Table 5-4. Since there are current modeled gaps at the referenced planning nodes, development of additional surface water to meet projected needs should be done in a manner that does not increase potential gaps.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Table 5-4: 2050 Increased Annual Average Surface Water Demand within Potential Gap Areas

County

Planning Node

Increase in Agricultural

With Potential Gap Demand by 20501 (MGD)

Increase in Agricultural Demand by 20501 (cfs)

Atkinson

0.07

0.10

Atkinson

Statenville

0.03

0.05

Bacon

Atkinson

0.23

0.36

Ben Hill

Atkinson Statenville

0.003 0.02

0.004 0.03

Pinetta

0.40

0.62

Berrien

Statenville

0.18

0.28

Atkinson - Ag

0.01

0.02

Brantley

Atkinson - Ind

0.06

0.09

Brooks

Pinetta

0.04

0.06

Coffee

Atkinson Statenville

0.37 0.002

0.57 0.003

Cook

Pinetta

0.11

0.16

Jennings

0.02

0.03

Echols

Statenville

0.01

0.01

Atkinson

0.19

0.30

Irwin

Statenville

0.38

0.59

Jennings

0.08

0.13

Lanier

Pinetta

0.001

0.002

Statenville

0.05

0.08

Jennings

0.02

0.04

Lowndes

Pinetta

0.11

0.17

Pierce

Atkinson

0.07

0.11

Pinetta

0.47

0.73

Tift

Statenville

0.05

0.08

Pinetta

0.15

0.22

Turner

Statenville

0.31

0.48

Ware

Atkinson

0.08

0.12

1All surface water demands within the planning node drainage areas are agricultural except for the industrial demand noted in Brantley County.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs
5.3. Surface Water Quality Comparisons (Assimilative Capacity)
This Section summarizes the results of the Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment modeling when all municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities operate at permit conditions, and provides a comparison of existing wastewater permitted capacity to the projected 2050 wastewater forecast flows. A discussion on non-point source pollution is also included.
Future Treatment Capacity Needs Existing municipal wastewater permitted capacities were compared to projected 2050 wastewater flows to estimate future treatment capacity needs by county. This analysis was done for both point sources and LAS that are permitted under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) or state LAS permits. As shown in Table 5-5, Bacon, Echols, and Pierce counties may exceed their current permitted capacity by 2050. It should be noted that the comparison in Table 5-5 was completed at the county level and localized shortages in treatment capacity may exist.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Table 5-5: 2050 Municipal Wastewater Forecast versus Existing Permitted Capacity (MGD)

Point Source (PS)

Land Application Systems (LAS)

County

2050 Forecast1

Permitted Capacity

2050 Surplus or
Gap (-)

Atkinson Bacon Ben Hill Berrien Brantley Brooks Charlton Clinch Coffee Cook Echols Irwin Lanier Lowndes Pierce Tift Turner Ware

0.25 0.80 3.17 0.11
0 0 0.65 0.36 4.14 2.55 0 0 0.41 10.73 0.34 6.39 0.48 4.51

0.90 0.75 6.00 1.20
0 0 1.08 0.75 6 3.19 0 0 0.50 14.92 0.21 8.09 1.17 6.70

0.65 -0.05 2.83 1.09
0 0 0.43 0.39 1.86 0.64 0 0 0.09 4.19 -0.13 1.70 0.69 2.19

Total

34.90

50.71

15.81

1Includes industrial wastewater expected to be treated at municipal facilities.

2050 Forecast1
0.12 0
0.18 0
0.11 0.86
0 0 0.56 0 0.003 0.50 0 1.71 0.425 0.11 0.03 0
4.60

Permitted Capacity
0.36 0.75 0.30
0 0.12 1.32
0 0 0.66 0 0 0.85 0 2.05 0.50 0.13 0.08 0 7.12

2050 Surplus or
Gap (-)
0.24 0.75 0.12
0 0.01 0.46
0 0 0.10 0 -0.003 0.35 0 0.34 0.08 0.02 0.05 0
2.51

Assimilative Capacity Assessments
The Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment drew upon water quality modeling tools to estimate the ability of streams and estuaries to assimilate pollutants under current and future conditions. Modeling focused on instream dissolved oxygen (DO) and incorporated all municipal and industrial wastewater facilities operating at their full permitted discharge levels (flow and effluent discharge limits as of 2014). The results of the DO modeling at current permitted conditions are presented in Figure 5-3 and Table 5-6 for the Suwannee-Satilla Region, which includes portions of the Ochlockonee, Ocmulgee, Satilla, St. Marys, and Suwannee River basins. The results show the modeled effects of oxygen-demanding compounds in wastewater and other factors on instream DO levels. A stream segment with "none or exceeded" available assimilative capacity (denoted as red lines in Figure 5-3) have estimated instream DO levels that are at or below the DO water quality criteria and

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June 2017

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs
therefore indicate conditions of no available assimilative capacity or exceeded assimilative capacity. It is important to note that an exceedance of DO assimilative capacity on a stream segment could be the result of a point source discharge, nonpoint source loading, or a naturally low instream DO condition. Reaches within the Suwannee-Satilla Planning Council that have exceeded their full assimilative capacity under the current conditions assessment include:
Alapaha River, Hat Creek, Withlacoochee River, Woodyard Creek, Tatum Creek, Cat Creek, Cane Creek, and a small portion of the Willacoochee River in the Suwannee Basin;
Seventeen Mile River, Little Hurricane Creek, Hurricane Creek, Alabaha River, and Little Satilla River in the Satilla Basin;
Spanish Creek and the main stem of the Saint Marys River in the St. Marys Basin; and
Aucilla River in the Ochlockonee Basin

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Table 5-6: Assimilative Capacity for DO under Current Permit Conditions in Suwannee-Satilla Planning Council

Basin Ochlockonee

Available Assimilative Capacity (Total Mileage)

Very Good (>1.0 mg/L)

Good (0.5 to <1.0 mg/L)

Moderate (0.2 to <0.5 mg/L)

Limited (>0.0 to
<0.2 mg/L)

None or Exceeded
(<0.0 mg/L)

Unmodeled

0

0

0

0

3

0

Modeled Miles in Council
3

Ocmulgee

3

33

0

0

0

0

36

Satilla

73

91

31

14

60

0

269

St Marys

0

0

6

3

12

0

21

Suwannee 289 91

54

0

85

5

524

Source: GIS Files from the Updated Permitted Water Quality Resource Assessment; EPD, January 2017 Notes: Suwannee Basin includes many local creeks and rivers such as the, Willacoochee River, Alapaha River, New River, Withlacoochee River, Alapahoochee River, Woodyard Creek, Cane Creek and many other smaller tributaries. The Ocmulgee River makes up the northeastern boarder of Ben Hill County and the northern board of Coffee County. The Aucilla River is a tributary to the Ochlockonee but only 3 river miles are actually in the Suwannee Satilla region near the southwest corner of Brooks County near Thomas County and the Florida State line. Approximately 34 of those river miles originate in Thomas County and then flow into Brooks County.

Based on the results shown in Figure 5-3, EPD also conducted modeling under future conditions. In order to address areas of limited or no assimilative capacity for DO, EPD incorporated some assumptions regarding future (2050) permitted flows and modifications to permit effluent limits. Since EPD cannot issue permits that will violate water quality standards, EPD will continue to evaluate and modify future permit requests and adjust permit limits to avoid potential DO violations. Figure 5-4 shows the assimilative capacity at assumed future (2050) permitted flows and effluent limits.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs
Figure 5-3: Results of Assimilative Capacity Assessment DO at Permitted Conditions

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs
Figure 5-4: Results of Assimilative Capacity Assessment DO at Assumed Future (2050) Permitted Conditions

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs
Non-Point Source Pollution Non-point source pollution accounts for the majority of surface water impairments in the region according to the 2014 303(d) list of Rivers, Streams, Lakes, and Reservoirs published by EPD (see Section 3 discussion). Non-point source pollution can occur as a result of human activities, including urban development, agriculture, and silviculture, and as a result of non-human influences such as wildlife and naturally-occurring nutrients. An important component of any non-point source management program is identifying those pollutant sources that are resulting from human activities.
An analysis of nutrients (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) that may occur due to point sources and nonpoint sources in watersheds was conducted. The goal was to identify nutrient loading rates from different portions of the watersheds under various hydrologic conditions and evaluate them in relation to corresponding land uses and potential non-point source contributions. Results of watershed nutrient modeling identify portions of the watershed where there are higher concentrations of nutrients (total nitrogen and total phosphorus) in stormwater runoff than other parts of the watershed.
There are currently no nutrient standards in place for the Suwannee-Satilla Region, so there is no absolute threshold against which these nutrient loadings are compared. Rather, the nutrient model results are beneficial for relative comparisons to target areas where implementation of non-point source control management practices will have the greatest benefit. More detail regarding the nutrient model results is available in The Synopsis Report - Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment (EPD, 2017). Nutrient and non-point source control management practices specific to land uses within the Suwannee-Satilla Region are discussed in Section 6.
5.4. Summary of Potential Water Resources Issues
This section summarizes the potential water resources issues in the SuwanneeSatilla Region. These potential water resources issues are the basis for the recommended management practices in Section 6. Table 5-7 summarizes the potential water resource issues and permitted capacity needs in the SuwanneeSatilla Region by County.
Over the planning horizon, forecasted surface water demands within and outside the region are projected to result in potential gaps at locations in the Region (Alapaha, Suwannee, Satilla, and Withlacoochee Rivers).
Regionally, there is sufficient groundwater to meet forecasted needs over the planning horizon.
Water quality conditions indicate the potential need for improved wastewater treatment within the Suwannee, Satilla, and St. Marys River basins.

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5. Comparison of Available Resource Capacity and Future Needs

Addressing non-point sources of pollution and existing water quality impairments will be a part of addressing the region's future needs.

Table 5-7: Summary of Potential Water Resource Issues by County

County

Municipal Water Permitted
Capacity Need

Part of Drainage Area with Modeled
Surface Water Gaps

Municipal Wastewater Permitted Capacity Need

Water Quality DO Assimilative
Capacity Issues

Source

Table 5-1

Figure 5-2

Table 5-5

Figure 5-3

Atkinson

-

Yes

-

-

Bacon

-

Yes

Yes

Yes

Ben Hill

-

Yes

-

Yes

Berrien

-

Yes

-

-

Brantley

Yes

Yes

-

Yes

Brooks

-

Yes

-

Yes

Charlton

-

-

-

-

Clinch

-

Yes

-

Yes

Coffee

-

Yes

-

Yes

Cook

-

Yes

-

-

Echols

Yes

Yes

Yes

-

Irwin

-

Yes

-

Yes

Lanier

Yes

Yes

-

-

Lowndes

-

Yes

-

Yes

Pierce

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Tift

-

Yes

-

Yes

Turner

-

Yes

-

Yes

Ware

-

Yes

-

Yes

Notes: 1) "Yes" indicates a predicted gap in the indicated county (for surface water "yes" indicates part or all of the indicated county lies in the area contributing to a potential gap)
2) Permitted capacity need is based on the comparison of permitted municipal capacity versus 2050 forecasted demand.

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6. ADDRESSING WATER NEEDS AND REGIONAL GOALS

6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Section 6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

This Section presents the Suwannee-Satilla Council's water management practices selected to address resource shortfalls or gaps identified and described in Section 5, and/or meet the Council's Vision and Goals described in Section 1.
6.1. Identifying Water Management Practices

Summary
The Suwannee-Satilla Council selected management practices to help address surface water low flow conditions at the Atkinson, Statenville, Jennings, and Pinetta planning nodes.

The comparison of Resource Assessments and forecasted needs presented in Section 5 identifies the Region's likely resource shortfalls or gaps and demonstrates the need for region and resource specific water management practices. In the cases where shortfalls or gaps appear to be unlikely based on the comparison of the Region's Resource Assessments and forecasted needs, the

Water quality management practices focus on addressing dissolved oxygen conditions at select locations and best management practices to address non-point sources of pollution and help reduce nutrient sources.

management practices described in this section have been selected to also meet those needs specified by the Council (e.g., facility/infrastructure needs and practices, programmatic practices, etc.) that are aligned with the Region's Vision and Goals. In selecting the actions needed (i.e., water management

Additional water and wastewater permit capacity, data collection, and new/upgraded infrastructure will be needed to address existing and/or future uses.

practices), the Council considered practices identified

in existing plans, the Region's Vision and Goals, and coordinated with local

governments and water providers as well as neighboring Councils who share these

water resources.

Review of Existing Plans and Practices
The Council conducted a comprehensive review of existing local and regional water management plans and relevant related documents to frame the selection of management practices. The types of plans/studies that were reviewed to support identification and selection of management practices for the Suwannee-Satilla Region consisted of the following:

Comprehensive Work Plans (local and regional scale)

Regional infrastructure and permitting plans

EPD databases (permitted withdrawals, planned projects, and proposed reservoirs)

June 2017

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

State-wide guidance documents (conservation, cost, and water planning)
Best Management Practices (forestry, agriculture, and stormwater management)
Water quality studies including Watershed Protection Plans (basin, watershed, and local scale)
TMDL evaluations
When possible, successful management practices already planned for and/or in use in the Suwannee-Satilla Region formed the basis for the water management practices selected by the Council.
6.2. Selected Water Management Practices for the SuwanneeSatilla Region
Table 6-1 summarizes the Suwannee-Satilla Council's selected management practices by source of supply for the relevant demand sector(s), including surface water supply for agricultural irrigation, permitted municipal and industrial water and wastewater capacity, water quality assimilative capacity (dissolved oxygen) challenges, current water quality impairments, and nutrient considerations for the Satilla River watershed. Information on shared resources is provided to identify where management practices in other regional Councils are also needed to address identified gaps. The table summarizes general information regarding management practices needed to meet forecasted needs, and more detailed information on management practices needed to address gaps between available resources and forecasted needs. The Suwannee-Satilla Council reviewed a number of existing local and regional water management plans and related documents during the development and selection of management practices. A detailed list of plans and documents that were considered can be found in the Suwannee-Satilla Plans Reviewed in Selecting Water Management Practices Technical Memorandum (CDM Smith, 2011).
Similar to when the original water plan was completed in 2011, the most significant gaps in the Suwannee-Satilla Region are potential surface water availability gaps driven by agricultural irrigation usage. As such, the majority of water supply management practices in Table 6-1 are intended to address agricultural surface water use. The Suwannee-Satilla Council considered a number of practices to address these potential surface water availability gaps, ranging from agricultural conservation to one or more regional reservoirs. While reservoirs would provide multiple potential benefits, the flat topography of the region makes siting of regional reservoirs difficult, expensive, and may have associated impacts. The Council concluded that integrating practices, rather than using a single practice, would be more effective at addressing gaps and more economically feasible. Figure 6-1 illustrates the Suwannee-Satilla Council's recommended suite of surface water availability management practices in a phased approach. Those practices that are less costly and more readily implemented are

6-2

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals
prioritized for short-term implementation. If resource needs are not met and/or gaps are not addressed, then more costly and complex management practices will be pursued.
Potential surface water gaps in the region exist at times under current and future conditions at Atkinson, Jennings, Pinetta, and Statenville planning nodes will be addressed by management practices including those that reduce net consumption, replace surface water use with groundwater use, improve data on frequency and magnitude of gaps, and assess the impact of infrequent surface water gaps and the associated costs associated with these gaps, among others. These potential gaps occur primarily as a result of net consumption associated with agricultural water use in the MayJuly timeframe. As described in Section 5.2, it is important to keep in mind that shortage to low flow conditions do not occur every year, and in some cases for years with shortages, the shortages do not occur for the entire year.
Figure 6-2 illustrates the Suwannee-Satilla Council's recommended suite of surface water quality management practices in a phased approach. Table 6-1 also includes the Suwannee-Satilla Council's recommended management practices to address water quality gaps, including stream segments with limited localized dissolved oxygen assimilative capacity and insufficient wastewater permit capacity. The SuwanneeSatilla Council addresses gaps by: identifying and recommending specific actions to add/improve infrastructure and improve flow and water quality conditions. Management practices that help improve river flows may also help improve water quality.
In addition to addressing gaps, the Suwannee-Satilla Council identified several management practice recommendations in Table 6-1 to address forecast future uses. These recommendations include such practices as the additional sustainable development of groundwater and surface water in areas with sufficient water supply; best management practices for water quality issues such as non-point source runoff, nutrient loadings, and TMDLs in the region; and additional educational and ordinance practices. The selected management practices will over time address identified gaps and meet future uses when combined with practices for all shared resource regions.

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals
Figure 6-1: Recommended Surface Water Availability Management Practices in a Phased Approach

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

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June 2017

6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals
Figure 6-2: Recommended Surface Water Quality Management Practices in a Phased Approach

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

Action Needed - Address Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas
Data Collection/Additional Research (DCAR) to confirm frequency, duration, severity, and drivers of surface water gaps and identify significant causes (climate, timing, water use, land cover, etc.) of 7Q10* low flow conditions and advance research/feasibility of potential solutions
*Note: 7Q10 refers to the 1 in 10 year 7 day monthly low flow condition

DCAR-11
Collect Agricultural Consumption Data; Refine Resource Assessment

Improve understanding and quantification of agricultural water use and the projected surface water gaps on the Satilla River at Atkinson, the Alapaha River at Statenville and Jennings, and the Withlacoochee River at Pinetta (hereafter referred to as "surface water gaps")

Acquire additional data/information on agricultural consumptive use to confirm or refine if agricultural consumption is less than 100% consumptive
Conduct "modeling scenario analysis to bracket a reasonable range of consumption" with Resource Assessment models with "new" information on consumptive use to assess effect on surface water gap

1,4,5,13

DCAR-21
Source of Supply Data to Refine Forecasts

Refine surface water agricultural forecasts and Resource Assessment models to improve data on source of supply and timing/operation of farm ponds and dual-source irrigation systems

1,4,5,13

DCAR-31
Improve Forecast and Resource Data; Analyze Storage Impacts on Gaps

Refine and improve surface water Resource Assessment and agricultural forecasts to address spatial and temporal hydrologic variations (i.e., including but not limited to evapotranspiration, infiltration, runoff, and groundwater/surface water interconnections) in relationship to forecasts, climate conditions, and other non-water use variables. This includes developing a better understanding of agricultural and residential water storage systems (ponds) and their effect on low flow conditions.

1,4,5,13

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

DCAR-41
Improve Data Quality and Analysis Capabilities

Obtain additional data and improved understanding of actual versus forecasted water use

Continue to fund, improve, and incorporate metering data regarding agricultural water use; Collect and use this information in Water Plan updates, including expanding the number of GSWCC continuously monitored real-time meter sites in surface water gap areas

5,6,13

DCAR-51
Irrigation Efficiency Education and Research

Improvement of surface water flows via reduced surface water use while maintaining/improving crop yields

Collaborate/support research (InState University, State, and Corporate) on improved irrigation efficiency measures and development of lower water use crops and lower water use plant strains for existing and future crop types

5,6,13

DCAR-61
Understand Optimum Application Methods

Improve education and research on when and how much water is needed to maximize crop yield with efficient irrigation

5,6,13

DCAR-7
Minimize Groundwater Impacts to Surface Water

Improvement of surface water flows in areas where groundwater and surface water are hydraulically connected and groundwater use impacts surface water flows

Promote management practices and educate water users to minimize impacts to surface water associated with excessive pumping/use of shallow/surficial aquifers that may impact surface water flows

1,5,6,13

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

DCAR-8
Analyze Addressing Extreme Conditions

Evaluate the cost versus benefit of closing the largest, most infrequent surface water gaps

DCAR-9
Study Potential Use of Aquifers to Address Gaps

Improvement of surface water flows (in gaps areas)

DCAR-10
Restoration Impact on Low Flow Conditions Analysis

Examine potential role of wetlands restoration and water retention structures in addressing surface water low flow conditions. Evaluate implementation considerations for each option.

Conduct analysis of the socioeconomic benefits and cost in comparison to ecological benefits of addressing surface water gaps. Council discussion, and additional detail provided by EPD during the 2016 updates to the resource assessments, indicated the need to focus this Management Practice on the more frequent, smaller magnitude gaps, rather than the larger, longer duration gaps that would likely be managed through drought management measures. Additional analysis is also needed (similar to the examples shared during the surface water shared resources subcommittee meeting in January 2017) regarding the locations of demands contributing to the gaps within specific counties and portions of the local drainage areas (LDAs).
Conduct research to determine the feasibility and potential benefits and limitations of aquifer storage and
recovery for confined aquifers; and
determine the feasibility and potential benefits to recharge surficial aquifers to increase stream baseflow to address gaps
Develop plan of study and research opportunities and limitations associated with improving river flow conditions via creation/restoration of wetlands and potential water retention structures including streams. If feasible, identify potential location(s) and estimate improvements to stream flow conditions. Identify incentives to make this a viable water supply option and develop a cost-benefit analysis of these incentives.

1,5,11
4,5,6,7 4,8

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

Action Needed - Water Conservation (WC) - Address current and future gaps and meet water needs by efficient water use. The Suwannee-Satilla Council supports the 25 water conservation
goals contained in the March 2010 Water Conservation Implementation Plan (WCIP).
Note: Water Conservation Tiers can be found here: http://www.georgiawaterplanning.org/documents/DetailedGuidanceforEvaluatingPracticestoManageDemand-WebDocument_000.pdf

WC-1

Help meet current and

Encourage Municipal and Industrial

66

Tier 3 and

forecasted municipal and

water users to continue

Tier 4

industrial surface water

implementation and adherence to

Measures for and groundwater supply

Tier 3 and Tier 4 practices Water

Municipal and needs throughout the

Stewardship Act of 2010 and 2015

Industrial

region

rules for public water systems to

Users

improve water supply efficiency

through water loss audit and water

loss control programs (391-3-33) by

local governments/utilities.

WC-2

Help meet current and

Encourage implementation of Tier 1

6

Tier 1 and

forecasted agricultural

and Tier 2 conservation measures

Tier 2

surface water and

and adherence to WCIP by

Measures for groundwater supply needs agricultural and surface water

Agricultural throughout the region

groundwater users

Users

Action Needed - Water Conservation (WC) Continued - Meet current and future gaps and needs by efficient agricultural water use - Tier 3 Conservation Practices1

WC-3

- Help meet current and

Conduct irrigation audits

6,13

Audits

forecasted agricultural ground and surface water

WC-4 Metering

supply needs
- Help address surface water gaps on the Satilla

Meter irrigation systems

WC-5 Inspections

River at Atkinson, the Alapaha River at

Inspect pipes and plumbing to control water loss

Statenville and Jennings,

and the Withlacoochee

River at Pinetta

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

WC-6

- Help meet current and

Minimize or eliminate the use of high-

6,13

Minimize

forecasted agricultural

pressure spray guns on fixed and

High-

ground and surface water traveler systems where feasible

Pressure

supply needs

Systems

- Help address surface

WC-7
Efficient Planting Methods

water gaps on the Satilla River at Atkinson, the Alapaha River at Statenville and Jennings,

Utilize cropping and crop rotation methods that promote efficiency

and the Withlacoochee River at Pinetta

Action Needed - Water Conservation (WC) Continued - Meet current and future gaps and needs by efficient agricultural water use - Tier 4 Conservation Practices1

WC-8

See issues addressed by Practice conservation tillage

6,13

Conservation WC-3 through WC-7

Tillage

WC-9 Control Loss

Control water loss

WC-10
End-Gun Shutoffs

Install end-gun shutoff with pivots

WC-11
Low Pressure Systems

Install low pressure irrigation systems where feasible (soil specific)

WC-12
Application Efficiency Technologies

Encourage and improve use of soil moisture sensors, evapotranspiration sensors, or crop water use model(s) to time cycles

Additional/Alternate to Existing Surface Water Supply Sources (ASWS)1

ASWS-1
Consider Low Flow Conditions in Future Surface Water Permitting

Help ensure that future surface water use does not contribute to frequency and severity of low flow conditions within the Local Drainage Areas that contribute flow to the Atkinson, Statenville, Jennings, or Pinetta gauges

Future surface water uses - If surface water (ponds and withdrawals) is sought for future water supply (new permits), Applicant, GSWCC, and EPD should work collaboratively to demonstrate that future surface water uses will not contribute to frequency or magnitude of gaps

1,4,5

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

ASWS-2 Incentives for Dry-Year Releases from Ponds
ASWS-3 Substitute Future Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Gap Areas

Help improve surface water flow on the Satilla River at Atkinson, the Alapaha River at Statenville and Jennings, and the Withlacoochee River at Pinetta during low flow conditions

Future surface water uses - Utilizing incentives and collaborative partnerships, examine opportunities to optimize farm and other pond operations to obtain releases in dry/gap years
Future surface water uses Encourage additional groundwater development as a preferred source of supply for future demand in surface water gap areas

1,3,4,5 1,2,5,11

ASWS-4
Substitute Existing Agricultural Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Dry Years

Existing surface water uses Encourage replacement of a portion of existing agricultural surface water irrigation use with groundwater in times of shortage to 7Q10 dry periods; so long as use of the groundwater source does not impact surface water flow in other areas

1,4,5

ASWS-5
Opportunities and Incentives for Dry-Year Releases from Ponds

Existing surface water uses- Utilizing incentives and collaborative partnerships, identify opportunities that allow for use of agricultural pond storage to augment river flows in times of shortage to 7Q10 dry periods

1,3,4,5

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

ASWS-6
Consider Phased Seasonal Agricultural Permit Conditions

Existing surface water uses - Identify need for, and feasibility of, seasonal surface water permit conditions for existing agricultural uses to address times of shortage to 7Q10 dry periods;
Phase implementation as follows: Phase 1 (Direct stream withdrawals); Phase 2 (Consider pond storage effects based on outcome of research from DCAR-2 and DCAR-3)

1,4,5

ASWS-7
Ecological Restoration Incentive Program

Help improve surface water flow on the Satilla River at Atkinson, the Alapaha River at Statenville and Jennings, and the Withlacoochee
River at Pinetta during low flow conditions

ASWS-8
Land Management Incentives

ASWS-9
Incentives for Greater Wastewater Return Flows; Coordinated Management

Based on outcome of research (DCAR-10 above), consider incentive-based programs to restore wetlands and other areas if this practice can improve river flows during shortages to 7Q10 dry periods
Evaluate incentive-based land use practices to help promote infiltration and aquifer recharge
Evaluate incentive-based programs to increase wastewater returns; modify land application system, septic systems, and manage stormwater to improve return flows while maintaining water quality
Evaluate feasibility, and encourage use of, regional storm water management, and if feasible, implement coordinated stormwater management to attenuate high flows and help augment low flows and improve water quality for the Withlacoochee River above the Pinetta Node

1,4,5,8
1,4,5,7 1,4,5,10

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

ASWS-10
Multi-Region Reservoir

Possible joint non-main stem reservoir to serve multiple regions/regional council boundaries with Upper Flint and/or Lower FlintOchlockonee Councils

1,4,5,9

ASWS-11
Inter-Basin Transfers

Regional inter-basin transfers (i.e., Ocmulgee to Alapaha and Altamaha to Little Satilla); Collaborating between regions to meet regional water needs and benefit both the areas from which the transferred water is withdrawn and the area receiving the water

1,4,5

Action Needed - Address Water Quality (Dissolved Oxygen Levels)

Point Sources Dissolved Oxygen (PSDO)

PSDO-1
Collect Water Quality Data

Verification of Water Quality Resource Assessment Data and Assumptions to determine dissolved oxygen conditions (see Figure 5-2 for more information)

Data collection to confirm loading and/or receiving stream chemistry

1,4,5,13

PSDO-2

Improve dissolved oxygen Modification of wastewater discharge

4,5

Point Source levels in receiving streams location

Discharge

(see Figure 5-2 for more

Relocation

information)

PSDO-3
Improve Treatment Facilities

Upgrade or replacement of treatment facilities

4,5,8

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

Action Needed - Address Wastewater Permit Capacity Needs/Gaps

Available Municipal Wastewater Permit Capacity (MWWPC)

MWWPC-1 Additional municipal

Obtain additional wastewater permit

5

Increase

wastewater treatment

capacity to meet forecasted needs

Wastewater capacity may be needed in

Permit

Bacon and Pierce

Capacity

Counties

Available Industrial Wastewater Permit Capacity (IWWPC)

IWWPC-12 Collect additional data

Obtain additional permit data

5

Collect Additional Industrial Permit Data

where needed on industrial flow volumes and permit conditions to verify permitted versus forecasted needs

regarding flow volumes and permit conditions for industrial wastewater facilities forecasted needs

Action Needed - Address Water Withdrawal Permit Capacity Needs

Municipal Groundwater Permit Capacity (MGWPC)

MGWPC-1
Increase Municipal Groundwater Permit Capacity

Additional municipal groundwater permit capacity may be needed in Brantley, Coffee, Echols, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, and Ware Counties

Obtain groundwater permit capacity

1,4,5

IGWPC-1
Increase Industrial Groundwater Permit Capacity

Industrial Groundwater Permit Capacity (IGWPC)

Additional industrial groundwater permit capacity may be needed in Ben Hill, Cook, and Ware Counties

Obtain groundwater permit capacity

1,4,5

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

The following Suwannee-Satilla Council Management Practices are programmatic in nature and are therefore described in general terms.

Action Needed - Address Current and Future Groundwater (GW) Needs

GW-1
Sustainable Groundwater Development

Continue to sustainably drill wells, use, and develop water from the Floridan and other significant aquifers

1,4,5

GW-2
Promote AquiferFriendly Land Uses

Encourage land use practices that sustain and protect aquifer recharge areas (both inside and outside the region) for the aquifers that are present in the region

4,5,7

GW-3
Research Groundwater Sustainability

Continue to refine sustainable yield metrics, monitor and improve understanding of historic, current, and future trends in groundwater levels;
Continue to refine modeling and other tools

1,4,5,13

GW-4
Inter-State Resource Planning

Collaborate with Florida regarding shared resource issues and water planning

1,4,5,13

Management Practices to Address Current and Future Surface Water (SW) Needs

SW-1
Surface Water Use Within Available Capacity

Continue to apply for permits and use surface water within the available surface water resource capacity

1,4,5

SW-2
Monitor and Evaluate Estuaries

Monitor St. Marys River flow conditions to help determine flow conditions that sustain estuary conditions

4,8,9,13

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

Management Practices to Address Water Quality Non-Point Source (NPS) Needs

(Dissolved oxygen, fecal coliform, nutrients, and other impairments)

NPS-1
Study Human Impacts on Water Quality

Data collection/analysis to confirm if dissolved oxygen and/or fecal coliform is human induced

4,8,13

NPS-2
Monitor and Address NPS Nutrient Loading

Support efforts to monitor and determine the sources of nutrient loading and other NPS impairments to rivers, lakes, and streams, and upon confirmation of source, develop specific management programs to address water quality needs

4,8,10,13

The following practices are selected by the Suwannee-Satilla Council to encourage implementation by the applicable local or state program(s).

Urban Best Management Practices (NPSU)

NPSU-1
Control Erosion

Use soil erosion and sediment control measures

4,8,10

NPSU-2
Manage Stormwater Runoff

Stormwater retention ponds, wetlands, and bioretention areas to manage runoff quality and flow rate and help support river flows (as found in City of Valdosta Watershed Protection Plan, 2009)

4,8,10

NPSU-3 Increase Stormwater Infiltration
NPSU-4 Riparian Buffers
NPSU-5 Street Sweeping

Consider measures to reduce directly-connected impervious area and promote increased infiltration of stormwater to help reduce nutrient and other pollutant runoff (as found in City of Baxley Watershed Protection Plan, 2007) Protect and maintain riparian buffers along urban streams
Implement street sweeping program (as found in City of Pearson Watershed Protection Plan, 2008)

4,8,10 4,8,10 4,8,10

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

NPSR-1 Advocate Implementing Road Runoff BMPs
NPSF-1 Support Forestry Commission Water Quality Program
NPSF-2 Improve BMP Compliance
NPSF-3 Conservation Land Use Planning
NPSF-4 Forest Restoration Incentives and Support

Rural Best Management Practices (NPSR)
Implement BMPs to control runoff from dirt roads by encouraging County implementation of the BMPs identified in Georgia Resource Conservation and Development Council, "Georgia Better Back Roads Field Manual"
Forestry Best Management Practices (NPSF)
Support Georgia Forestry Commission water quality program consisting of BMP development, education/outreach, implementation/compliance monitoring, and complaint resolution process
Improve BMP compliance through State-wide biennial BMP surveys and BMP assurance exams, Master Timber Harvester workshops, and continuing logger education Seek long-term conservation easements or purchase development rights by willing landowners and conservation groups
Where applicable, support United States Department of Agriculture incentive programs through the Farm Service Agency and NRCS to restore converted wetlands back to forested conditions

4,8,10
4,8,10,13 4,8,10,13
4,8,10 4,8

Agricultural Best Management Practices for Crop and Pasture Lands (NPSA) - Support and encourage implementation of GSWCC BMP and Education Programs

NPSA-1
Soil Erosion Reduction Measures

Conservation tillage and cover crop

4,6,8,10

NPSA-2 Utilize Buffers

Field buffers, riparian forested buffers, and strip cropping to control runoff and reduce erosion

4,6,8,10

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

NPSA-3
Livestock Management

Livestock exclusions from direct contact with streams and rivers and vegetation buffers

4,8,10

NPSA-4
Manure Control

Responsible manure storage and handling

4,8,10

NPSA-5

Incentives to restore wetlands and historically drained hardwood

4,8

Wetland and and other areas

Forest

Restoration

Incentives

Existing Impairments and Total Maximum Daily Load Listed Streams (TMDL)

TMDL-1

Data collection and confirmation of sources to support modify

4,13

Evaluate

stream standards to reflect "natural sources" and/or to reflect

Impairment

naturally low dissolved oxygen streams

Sources

TMDL-2

Data collection to refine river/stream reach length for impaired

4,13

Analyze

waters; focus on longest reaches to refine location and potential

Impaired

sources of impairments

Segments

and Sources

TMDL-3
Stormwater Management BMPs

Stormwater Management: -Agricultural BMPs -Forestry BMPs -Rural BMPs -Urban BMPs

4,8,10,13

NUT-1
Link Nutrient Loading with Current Land Use

See Above Non-Point Source for Details
Nutrients Satilla River Watershed Model (NUT)
Align current land use with phosphorus and nitrogen loading data to help optimize effectiveness of management practices based on consideration of land uses and actual nutrient loading contribution to surface water resources (i.e., predominant land use is not necessarily the predominant source of nutrient load) - Agricultural, Forestry, Rural, and Urban BMPs See Above Non-Point Source for Details

4,8,10,13

6-18

June 2017

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6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

Management Practices to Address Future Educational Needs (EDU)

EDU-1
Promote Conservation Programs

Support Water Conservation Programs

1,4,5,6,13

EDU-2
Stormwater Education

Support Stormwater Educational Programs

4,5,8,11

EDU-3
Septic System Maintenance Education

Support Septic System Maintenance Programs

4,5,8

EDU-4
Forestry BMP Education

Support Georgia Forestry Commission Forestry BMP and UGA-SFI Logger Education Programs

4,8,10

EDU-5
Funding and Support for BMP Education

Prioritize funding and support for existing and future education, awareness, and BMP programs on non-point source pollution, including but not limited to: Agricultural BMPs, Forestry BMPs, Rural BMPs, Urban BMPs, Georgia Adopt-a-Stream, UGA Extension Service, and Georgia Forestry Commission

4,5,8,10

Management Practices to Address Future Ordinance and Code Policy Needs (OCP)

OCP-1
Engage Local Governments

Encourage local government to develop ordinances and standards to implement and/or update stormwater and land development regulations. Possible resource documents include: Georgia Stormwater Management Manual, Coastal Stormwater Supplement, and Metro North Georgia Water Planning District Model Ordinances

4,8,10

OCP-2
Green Space Opportunities and Incentives
OCP-3
Promote Integrated Planning

Identify opportunities for green space on incentive and voluntary basis
Encourage coordinated environmental planning, land use, stormwater, and wastewater

1,4,5 1,2,4,5,10,13

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

6-19

6. Addressing Water Needs and Regional Goals

Table 6-1: Management Practices Selected for the Suwannee-Satilla Region

Management Issue(s) to be Addressed

Practice

by Action(s)

Number

Description/Definition of Action

Relationship of Action or Issue to Vision and Goals
(Section 1.4)

OCP-4
Local Government Erosion Control Measures

Encourage local governments to enforce Erosion and Sedimentation Control Ordinance (as found in Cities of Pearson and Valdosta Watershed Protection Plans, 2008 and 2009)

4,8,10

Summary of Management Practices for Shared Resources The Suwannee-Satilla Region will implement management practices summarized in this table and collaborate with the following Councils to address shared resource gaps. Note: As summarized below, each Council has identified a series of management practices intended to address the contributing portion of the surface water flow gap within their boundaries.

Surface Water Quantity Satilla River (Atkinson), Alapaha River (Statenville and Jennings), and Withlacoochee River (Pinetta)

Suwannee-Satilla The Suwannee-Satilla Council has identified the management practices in the above table to address the majority of the cumulative gap at Atkinson, Statenville, and Jennings, and a portion of the cumulative gap at Pinetta.

Altamaha The Altamaha Council has identified water conservation, replacement of surface water use with groundwater use, refinement of forecasting and modeling data, and potential use of incentives and new permit conditions among others to address a portion of the cumulative gap at Atkinson, and a small portion of the cumulative gaps at Statenville and Jennings.

Lower Flint-Ochlockonee The Lower Flint-Ochlockonee Council has identified conservation, investigation of replacement of surface water with groundwater, greater utilization of farm ponds, and consideration of new storage and Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) to address a portion of the cumulative gap at Pinetta.

Upper Flint The Upper Flint Council has identified conservation, investigation of replacement of surface water with groundwater, greater utilization of farm ponds, and consideration of new storage to address a portion of the cumulative gap at Statenville and Jennings.

Surface Water Quality:

Satilla River Watershed Model The Altamaha Council has identified the same BMPs for nutrient loading as are summarized in the above table for the Suwannee-Satilla Council.

Altamaha There is one reach with exceeded assimilative capacity in the Suwannee River basin that is shared with the Altamaha Region. The Altamaha Council recommends improved level of wastewater treatment to improve in-stream dissolved oxygen, implementation of ammonia limits, and improvement of wastewater treatment for nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus).

Coastal Georgia There is one reach with exceeded DO assimilative capacity in the St. Marys River basin that is shared with the Coastal Georgia Region. Both Councils recommend monitoring and data collection to assess whether impairment is caused by non-point source discharges or naturally low DO concentrations in the reach.
1Seek to reduce frequency and severity of human impacts to 7Q10 low flow conditions in the region associated with agricultural water use. Focus on surface water permit holders and new surface water permit requests in Satilla Watershed [(Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Coffee, Irwin, Pierce, and Ware Counties (Atkinson Gap)], Alapaha Watershed [Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, and Turner Counties (Statenville and Jennings Gaps)], and Withlacoochee Watershed [(Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Lowndes, Tift, and Turner Counties (Pinetta Gap)]. 2Additional industrial wastewater capacity may be needed. EPD to update and refine discharge limit databases.

6-20

June 2017

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7. IMPLEMENTING WATER MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Section 7. Implementing Water Management Practices

This section presents the Suwannee-Satilla Council's estimated timeframes for the implementation of the

Summary

water management practices identified in Section 6. Schedules for implementation, in addition to the early step(s) required to initiate implementation of a given practice, are presented for both short- and long-term actions. The Suwannee-Satilla Council has defined short-term as 2015 to 2025 and long-term as 2025 to 2050. As the State Water Plan provides, this Plan will be primarily implemented by the various water users in the region; therefore, the Suwannee-Satilla Council has described the roles and responsibilities of the implementing parties as well as the fiscal implications of the practices.

Implementation of the Suwannee-Satilla Regional Water Plan will be primarily by various water users and wastewater utilities in the region. The most cost effective and more readily implemented management practices will be prioritized for short-term implementation via an incremental and adaptive approach. If

The Council also emphasizes that the implementation of recommended management practices are predicated on a number of planning assumptions and/or may be impacted by unanticipated or currently unknown factors including: projected growth of

resource needs are not met and/or gaps are not closed, then more costly and complex management practices will be pursued.

population, industry, agricultural and energy needs; data sets and assumptions related to water use, water withdrawals and returns; data regarding water quality and watershed models; rules and regulations regarding water resource use and management; and Resource Assessment tools for surface water

As new information becomes available, it is important the Plan remain a living document and be updated to incorporate new findings.

availability, surface water quality, and groundwater

availability. Consequently, significant changes or departures from these planning

assumptions, forecasts, and Resource Assessment tools may require a modification

of the recommended management practices, the implementation schedule, and/or the

implementing entities/affected stakeholders. Future planning efforts should confirm

current assumptions and make necessary revisions and/or improvements to the

conclusions reached during this round of planning.

7.1. Implementation Schedule and Roles of Responsible Parties
Table 7-1 ties the resource shortfalls and the needs specified by the Council and the corresponding management practices detailed in Table 6-1 to the parties who will implement those practices. This table also describes the timeframe for implementation and the specific steps required for implementation.

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-1

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Data Collection/Additional Research (DCAR)

DCAR-1

Current and N/A

through

Future

DCAR-71

Surface

Agricultural Data Collection and Irrigation Research

Water Use in Gap Areas (Satilla River at Atkinson, the Alapaha River at

DCAR-8
Analyze Addressing Extreme Conditions

Statenville and Jennings, and the Withlacoochee River at

DCAR-9

Pinetta)

Study Aquifer

Potential to

Address Gaps

Develop scope of

Complete data collection, N/A

work (01/2012-

research, and evaluation by

06/2012) and key

01/2020

partnering agencies

(06/2012-01/2015). Incorporate data/findings in

Renew scope of work next Water Plan revision

in 2017 to continue

study.

Georgia Department of

Agriculture (Georgia DOA)

identify funding sources and

seek legislative

authorization and funding

through the legislative

process (DCAR-1 through

DCAR-6)

Develop fact sheets, conduct landowner outreach, and work with applicable trade groups (DCAR-7 only)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC), In-State Universities, Georgia DOA, and agricultural stakeholders EPD
EPD, GSWCC, InState Universities, Georgia DOA

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-2

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

DCAR-10
Restoration Impact on Low Flow Analysis

WC-11
Tier 3 and Tier 4 Measures for Municipal and Industrial Users

Current and Future Surface and Groundwater Supply Needs

Agricultural Surface and Groundwater Withdrawal

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Water Conservation (WC)

Conduct outreach/ education incentives to encourage implementation of conservation measures

Implement water conservation practices thorough 01/2025

Verify conservation savings estimates

Responsible Parties
EPD and other research agencies/ entities; USDA and other agencies for funding/incentives
EPD, Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Association of County Commissioners, and Water Providers in the SuwanneeSatilla Region

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-3

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

WC-2 through
WC-121
Tier 1 through Tier 4 Measures for Agricultural Users

Current and Future Surface and Groundwater Use in Gap/Nongap Areas

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Responsible Parties
EPD, GSWCC, and Georgia DOA and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)Leverage funds and create incentives

Agricultural surface water users in the Suwannee-Satilla Region for implementation

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-4

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Additional/Alternatives to Existing Surface Water Supply Sources (ASWS)

ASWS-12
Consider Low Flow Conditions in Future Surface Water Permitting

Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

Agricultural Surface Withdrawal

EPD to develop Data Needs and Guidance for Analysis Requirements
Applicants to submit analysis from 2015 2020

GSWCC to collaborate with EPD, Georgia DOA, and current/future surface water users to develop application process and data needs to streamline application and review process (by 01/2020)
Coordinate pond/irrigation permitting processes

Determine if expedited or revised permitting process is warranted to allow for use of the resource and protection of critical low flows

ASWS-22
Incentives for Dry-Year Releases from Ponds

Develop strategy and work with potential participants/
impacted users to increase support for and implementation of strategy

Examine opportunities to modify farm and other pond operations to obtain releases in dry/gap years (by 01/2020)

Modify farm and other pond operations to obtain releases in dry/gap years (by 01/2030)

Responsible Parties
EPD, GSWCC, and Georgia DOA to develop strategy
Agricultural surface water users in the Suwannee-Satilla Region for implementation

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-5

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

ASWS-32
Substitute Future Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Gap Areas

Agricultural Groundwater Withdrawal

ASWS-4
Substitute Existing Agricultural Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Dry Years

Current Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

Agricultural Groundwater Withdrawal

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)
Develop strategy and work with potential participants/ impacted users to increase support for and implementation of strategy

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Identify the need for, and

N/A

feasibility of, incentive

based seasonal surface

water permit conditions to

address 7Q10 low flow

conditions (by 01/2020)

Replace surface water supply (by 01/2025)

Replace surface water

N/A

supply (by 01/2025)

Confirm that use of groundwater source does not impact surface water flow in other areas

Responsible Parties
EPD, GSWCC, and Georgia DOA Agricultural surface water users in the Suwannee-Satilla Region for implementation

ASWS-5
Opportunities and Incentives for Dry-Year Releases from Ponds

Agricultural Surface Withdrawal

Examine opportunities to modify farm and other pond operations to obtain releases in dry/gap years (by 01/2020)

Modify farm and other pond operations to obtain releases in dry/gap years (by 01/2030)

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-6

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

ASWS-6
Consider Phased Seasonal Agricultural Permit Conditions

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Identify the need for, and feasibility of, incentive based seasonal surface water permit conditions to address 7Q10 low flow conditions
Phase 1 implementation: Direct stream withdrawals (by 01/2015)

Phase 2 implementation: Consider pond storage effects based on outcome of research from DCAR-2 and DCAR-3 (by 01/2020)

Responsible Parties

ASWS-7
Ecological Restoration Incentive Program

Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

Wetland Restoration

ASWS-8
Land Management Incentives

City and County Land Use

Encourage research to determine effectiveness and feasibility of restoring wetlands (see DCAR10)
Incentive-based practices to promote infiltration and aquifer recharge

Determine effectiveness and feasibility of restoring wetlands in relation to improving low flow conditions (by 01/2015)
Determine effectiveness and feasibility of implementing practice (by 01/2015)

Restore wetland characteristics (by 01/2030), if deemed effective and feasible
If deemed effective and feasible, implement practice based on status of gap closure (by 01/2025)

EPD
EPD, Municipalities and Water/Wastewater Utilities in the Suwannee-Satilla Region

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-7

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

ASWS-9
Incentives for Greater Wastewater Return Flows; Coordinated Management

Wastewater/ N/A
Stormwater NPDES Discharge,
Sanitary Sewer Extension

ASWS-10
Multi-Region Reservoir

Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

Surface Water Withdrawal

Monitor gap closure

ASWS-11
Inter-Basin Transfers

Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

Surface Water Withdrawal

Monitor gap closure

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Continue to monitor land use and hydrologic relationships

Responsible Parties

Based on rate of gap closure, consider reservoir reconnaissance/feasibility study (by 01/2015)
Based on rate of gap closure, consider inter-basin transfer reconnaissance/feasibility study (by 01/2020)

Construct joint regional reservoir and/or multiple new smaller reservoirs (and/or utilize existing reservoirs) (by 01/2030)
Construct infrastructure for inter-basin transfers, if feasible and needed (by 01/2050)

EPD, Agricultural water users in the Suwannee-Satilla Region, other collaborating regions
EPD, Agricultural water users in the Suwannee-Satilla Region, other collaborating regions

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-8

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Point Sources Dissolved Oxygen (PSDO)

PSDO-1
Collect Water Quality Data

Water Quality Gaps

PSDO-2
Point Source Discharge Relocation

General Wastewater

EPD to work with potentially effected entities as part of permitting process (by 01/2020)

Collect data to confirm loading and/or receiving stream chemistry (by 01/2025)
Identify feasibility to move discharge location to higher flow streams with greater assimilative capacity (by 01/2020)

N/A
If feasible and cost effective, relocate discharge location (by 01/2025)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Municipalities and/or wastewater utilities in the Suwannee-Satilla Region

PSDO-3
Improve Treatment Facilities

Water Quality Gaps

General Wastewater

Confirm wastewater facilities to upgrade/improve treatment to address low dissolved oxygen conditions in receiving streams (by 01/2020)

Upgrade/improve treatment of identified wastewater facilities (by 01/2020)

Continue to upgrade/improv e treatment of identified wastewater facilities (by 01/2040)

EPD, Municipalities and/or wastewater utilities in the Suwannee-Satilla Region

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-9

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Available Municipal Wastewater Permit Capacity (MWWPC)

MWWPC-1
Increase Wastewater Permit Capacity

Wastewater Permit Capacity Gap (Bacon, and Pierce Counties)

Municipal Wastewater

EPD and entities to Expand or construct new

N/A

confirm assumptions facilities and/or obtain

and needs (by

additional wastewater permit

01/2020)

capacity to meet forecasted

needs (by 01/2025)

Available Industrial Wastewater Permit Capacity (IWWPC)

IWWPC-13
Collect Additional Industrial Permit Data

Wastewater Permit Capacity Gap

Industrial Wastewater

Obtain additional

Expand or construct new

N/A

permit data on flow facilities and/or obtain

volumes and permit additional wastewater permit

conditions for

capacity to meet forecasted

industrial wastewater needs (by 01/2025)

facilities forecasted

needs (by 01/2020)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Municipal wastewater utilities in the SuwanneeSatilla Region
EPD, Industrial wastewater facilities in the SuwanneeSatilla Region

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-10

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Municipal Groundwater Permit Capacity (MGWPC)

MGWPC-1
Increase Municipal Groundwater Permit Capacity

Groundwater Permit Capacity Gap (Brantley, Echols, Lanier, and Pierce, Counties)

Municipal Groundwater Withdrawal

EPD and entities to confirm assumptions and needs (by 01/2020)

Evaluate short-term needs and, if needed, work with EPD to obtain additional permit capacity (by 01/2025)

Evaluate longterm needs and, if needed, work with EPD to obtain additional permit capacity (by 01/2050)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Municipal water utilities in the Suwannee-Satilla Region

IGWPC-1
Increase Industrial Groundwater Permit Capacity

Groundwater Permit Capacity Gap
(Ben Hill, Cook, and Ware Counties)

Industrial Groundwater Permit Capacity (IGWPC)

Industrial Groundwater Withdrawal

EPD and entities to confirm assumptions and needs (by 01/2020)

Evaluate short-term needs and, if needed, work with EPD to obtain additional permit capacity (by 01/2025)

Evaluate longterm needs and, if needed, work with EPD to obtain additional permit capacity (by 01/2050)

EPD, Industrial water facilities in the Suwannee-Satilla Region

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-11

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

GW-1
Sustainable Groundwater Development

Current and Future Groundwater Needs

Groundwater Withdrawal (Municipal, Industrial, and Agricultural)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Groundwater (GW)

Continue to drill wells and withdraw groundwater to meet regional needs

Provide guidance and implement sustainable groundwater withdrawal rates through 01/2025

Verify sustainable yield metrics and consider relevant localized impacts (by 01/2020)

Modify Resource Assessments and sustainable yield criteria, if necessary (by 01/2050)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Cities, Counties, and Utilities in the Suwannee-Satilla Region

GW-2
Promote AquiferFriendly Land Uses

Current and N/A Future Groundwater Needs

Monitor land use changes and further delineate aquifer recharge areas (by 01/2020)

Encourage land use practices that sustain and protect aquifer recharge areas (by 01/2025)

Continue to monitor land use and hydrologic relationships

Cities and Counties in aquifer recharge areas for implementation. State agencies for research and data transfer to local governments.

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-12

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

GW-3 Research Groundwater Sustainability
GW-4 Inter-State Resource Planning

Current and Future Groundwater Needs

Groundwater Withdrawal (Municipal, Industrial, and Agricultural)

SW-1
Surface Water Uses Within Available Capacity

Current and Future Surface Water Use Outside Gap Areas

Surface water Withdrawal

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Continue to drill wells and withdraw groundwater to meet regional needs

Provide guidance and implement sustainable groundwater withdrawal rates through 01/2025

Verify sustainable yields and consider relevant localized impacts (by 01/2020)

Modify Resource Assessments and sustainable yield criteria, if necessary (by 01/2050)

Surface Water (SW)

Confirm non-gap areas and available surface water resource capacity (by 01/2020)

Continue to apply for permits and use surface water in non-gap areas within available resource capacity (by 01/2025)

Verify flow conditions and gaps

Responsible Parties
EPD
EPD, applicable federal agencies, and surface water users in SuwanneeSatilla Region

SW-2
Monitor and Evaluate Estuaries

Current and N/A Future Surface Water Use Outside Gap Areas

Monitor St. Marys

Determine flow conditions N/A

River flow conditions that sustain estuary health

(by 01/2025)

EPD, Coastal Resources Division, Wildlife Resources Division

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-13

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Non-Point Sources (NPS) Urban, Rural, Agricultural and Forestry Uses

NPS-1
Study Human Impacts on Water Quality

Water Quality Outside Gap Areas

Stormwater (NPDES Discharges)

Collect data to

Confirm sources of loading N/A

determine DO, fecal and develop programs to

coliform, and nutrient address (by 01/2025)

sources

NPS-2
Monitor and Address NPS Nutrient Loading

NPSU-1 through NPSU-5
Various Practices Related to Stormwater Management

Select best management practices (BMPs) needed for treating stormwater from urban and rural uses

Implement a variety of stormwater BMPs related to urban uses (by 01/2020)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Municipalities and Utilities within the SuwanneeSatilla Region

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-14

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

NPSR-1
Advocate Implementing Road Runoff BMPs

Water Quality Outside Gap Areas

Stormwater (NPDES Discharges)

Continue to support existing best management practices programs

NPSF-1 through NPSF-4
Various Management Practices Related to Forestry BMPs

Water Quality Outside Gap Areas

Stormwater (NPDES Discharges)

Continue to support existing best management practices programs

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Implement a variety of

N/A

stormwater BMPs related to

dirt road maintenance (by

01/2015)

Implement a variety of best N/A management practices related to forestry uses (by 01/2020)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Counties (Public Works/Roads and Bridges Departments) within the SuwanneeSatilla Region
Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC), Georgia Forestry Association, Georgia State Forestry Registration Board, Georgia Sustainable Forest Initiative, InState Universities, Southern Wood Producers Association, and possibly county commissions USDA, NRCS, Nonprofits, Nongovernmental organizations (NSPF-4 only)

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

June 2017

7-15

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

TMDL-1 through TMDL-3
Evaluate Impaired Segments and Sources

NUT-1
Link Nutrient Loading with Current Land Use

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)
Collect data to confirm impairment and determine sources
Align current land use with nutrient loading data to optimize management practice based on consideration of land uses and actual nutrient loading

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Remove streams listed due to "natural sources" (by 01/2020)
Refine river/stream reach length for impaired waters (by 01/2020)

Continue collecting data to monitor impairment sources and support reassessment of stream segment classifications (by 01/2050)

Support research and

N/A

development of tools such

as the Southern Group of

State Foresters and USFS

Sediment Prediction

modeling tool being

developed by Auburn

University (by 01/2020)

Responsible Parties
EPD, Municipalities and Utilities within the SuwanneeSatilla Region
EPD, GSWCC, GFC, Municipalities and Utilities within the SuwanneeSatilla Region, and county commissions

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

7-16

June 2017

7. Implementing Water Management Practices

Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

EDU-1 through
EDU-5
Various Educational and Outreach Programs on Conservation/ Water Quality

Education/
Outreach Support

Entities' Applicable Programs

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Educational Practices (EDU)

Develop educational programs on water conservation, septic system maintenance, and stormwater management

Complete educational programs on water conservation, septic system maintenance, and stormwater management

Continue educational programs on water conservation, septic system maintenance, and stormwater management

Responsible Parties
EPD, State Agencies with WCIP responsibilities, GFC, Municipalities and Utilities within the Suwannee-Satilla Region

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

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Table 7-1: Implementation Schedule

Management Practice Number
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed and Resource(s) Affected

Permittee Category of Responsible Parties
(if applicable)

For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)

For Short-term Actions (2015 - 2025):

For Long-term Actions
(2025-2050):

Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates

Responsible Parties

Ordinance and Code Policy Practices (OCP)

OCP-1

Ordinances N/A

through

and Code

OCP-4

Policies

Stormwater

Management

through

Ordinance/

Code Updates and Integrated Planning

Identify ordinances Pass ordinances and

N/A

and standards to

develop standards on

implement/update on stormwater management

stormwater and land and land development (by

development

01/2020)

(including green

space and Erosion and Sedimentation Control Measures)

Conduct regional environmental planning (e.g., land use, stormwater,

wastewater)

Encourage

coordinated

environmental

planning

EPD, Regional Commissions, Municipalities and Utilities within the Suwannee-Satilla Region, and county commissions

Notes:

1Seek to reduce frequency and severity of human impacts to 7Q10 low flow conditions in the region, which are associated with agricultural water use in portions of the

Suwannee-Satilla Region. Focus on surface water permit holders and new surface water permit requests in Satilla Watershed [(Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Coffee, Irwin,

Pierce, and Ware Counties (Atkinson Gap)], Alapaha Watershed [Atkinson, Ben Hill, Berrien, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Tift, and Turner Counties (Statenville and

Jennings Gaps)], and Withlacoochee Watershed [(Berrien, Brooks, Cook, Lowndes, Tift, and Turner Counties (Pinetta Gap)].

2Coordinate gap closure with the following regional councils: Altamaha (Wilcox County), Lower Flint-Ochlockonee (Colquitt, Worth Counties), Upper Flint (Crisp County).

3Additional industrial wastewater capacity may be needed. EPD to update and refine discharge limit databases to confirm flow and quality assumptions.

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7.2. Fiscal Implications of Selected Water Management Practices
The following subsections discuss planning level cost estimates for the water management practices selected by the Suwannee-Satilla Council and potential funding sources and options. Successful implementation of the Regional Water Plan is highly dependent on the ability of state and local governments, water providers, and utilities to fund the needed implementation actions.
Planning Level Cost Estimates Planning level cost estimates were prepared for each management practice as shown in Table 7-2 using planning guidance documents, the knowledge base of previous state and utility planning efforts, and other sources of information, as listed below. The guidance documents and sources used to inform the planning level cost information in Table 7-2 have not been updated. Accordingly, the values shown below should only be used as a general guide. Specific costs should be further evaluated and updated before being relied upon.
Georgia EPD Supplemental Guidance for Planning Contractors: Water Management Practice Cost Comparison dated March 2010 (Revised March 2011).
Water Conservation Analysis Technical Memorandum to Supplement Council's Plan prepared by CDM Smith for Georgia EPD draft dated July 2011.
CDM Water Supply Cost Estimation Study prepared for the South Florida Water Management District dated February 2007.
EPA Report titled Costs of Urban Stormwater Control Practices Preliminary Report dated February 5, 2006.
EPA Report titled Costs of Urban Stormwater Control dated January 2002.
St. Johns River Water Management District Report titled Water Supply Needs and Sources Assessment Alternative Water Supply Strategies Investigation, Water Supply and Wastewater Systems Component Cost Information dated 1997 (Publication Number SJ97-SP3).
Preliminary estimates of production well yields and costs from local licensed well drillers in Georgia (Bishop Well and Pump Service and Grosch Irrigation Company.)
Georgia Geologic Survey Project Report 32 titled Irrigation Conservation Practices Appropriate for the Southeastern United States. Prepared in cooperation with the Georgia DNR, EPD.

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Groundwater Flow Modeling of the Coastal Plain Aquifer System of Georgia. Draft Report completed for EPD as part of State of Georgia Groundwater Resource Assessment.
FY 2004 Sussex Conservation District Cover Crop Program Fact Sheet. Sussex Conservation District, Georgetown, Delaware dated 2003.
North Carolina State University Department of Forestry presentation titled Costs of Forestry Best Management Practices in the South: A Review dated 2002.
Recent bid tabulations (as of 2011) for wastewater treatment facilities.
The cost estimates are unit cost estimates where there is a lack of detail or specificity about the management practice. For example, for an inter-basin transfer of water, the cost is driven by the length and size of the pipeline and the quantity to be transferred. If the connection locations and or the transfer quantity are not known, a unit cost per mile of pipeline is given. Where there is detail about the management practice, unit cost data were used to develop an approximate capital/programmatic cost. The capital costs were adjusted to 2010 dollars using the Engineering News Record Cost Index. In summary, some cost estimates are unit costs with different unit basis and some costs are approximate capital costs. Therefore, each management practice was assigned a cost (where applicable) rather than rolling up the costs into general categories since they may not be additive. The cost information provided in this document will be used to pursue loans, grants, and other funding options that can be prioritized throughout the region.
Funding Sources and Options Several different funding sources and options will be used to secure funding for the different management practices outlined in this Plan including:
The State Revolving Fund Program
Other State of Georgia Funding Programs
State and Federal Grants
Water/Wastewater System Revenues
State and local government incentive programs
More details on potential loan and grant programs are provided for the management practices in Table 7-2. Below is a list of some of the larger organizations and agencies that provide funding for the types of management practices recommended in this Plan. It is important to note that funding sources and opportunities change on a yearly basis.

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Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Programs The EPA provides grants to States, non-profits, and educational institutions to support high-quality research that will improve the scientific basis for decisions on national environmental issues and help the EPA to achieve its goals. The EPA provides research grants and graduate fellowships; supports environmental education projects that enhance the public's awareness, knowledge, and skills to make informed decisions that affect environmental quality; offers information for State and local governments and small businesses on financing environmental services and projects; and provides other financial assistance through programs such as the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF), the Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), and the Brownfield Program. More information on the EPA can be accessed at: www.epa.gov.
The EPA offers the following grant programs:
Continuing Program Grants
Project Grants
Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program
Water Pollution Control Program
Water Quality Cooperative Agreements Program
Water Quality Management Planning Program
Onsite Wastewater Management Planning Program
Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
The mission of EPD is to help provide Georgia's citizens with clean air, clean water, healthy lives and productive land by assuring compliance with environmental laws and by assisting others to do their part for a better environment. As a result of the Clean Water Act, each year the State of Georgia receives funding from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assist the State with addressing environmental issues. EPD offers the following grant programs:
Section 319 (h) Grants
Section 604 (b) Grants

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U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resource Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) Conservation Programs The USDA-NRCS offers a number of funding opportunities as a result of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. This Act is landmark legislation for conservation funding and for focusing on environmental issues. The conservation provisions will assist farmers and ranchers in meeting environmental challenges on their land. This legislation simplifies existing programs and creates new programs to address high priority environmental and production goals. The USDA-NRCS offers the following funding options:
Agricultural Conservation Easement Program
Conservation of Private Grazing Land Program
Environmental Quality Incentives Program
Resource Conservation and Development Program

Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

Data Collection/Additional Research (DCAR)

DCAR-1
Collect Agricultural Consumption Data; Refine Resource Assessment

Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

$25 to $0.5M

Various recent similar projects

DCAR-2
Source of Supply Data to Refine Forecasts

$0.5M to $1M

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

DCAR-3
Improve Forecast and Resource Data; Analyze Storage Impacts on Gaps

$0.5M to $1M

DCAR-4
Improve Data Quality and Analysis Capabilities

$0.2M to $0.4M

DCAR-5
Irrigation Efficiency Education and Research

$0.1M to $0.2M

DCAR-6 Understand Optimum Application Methods
DCAR-7 Minimize Groundwater Impacts to Surface Water
DCAR-8 Analyze Addressing Extreme Conditions
DCAR-9 Study Aquifer Potential to Address Gaps

Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

$0.05M to $0.1M
$0.075M to $0.1M $0.1M to $0.2M
$0.15M to $0.2M

Various recent similar projects

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

DCAR-10
Restoration Impact on Low Flow Conditions Analysis

$0.2M to $0.5M

WC-1 Tier 1 and Tier 2 Measures for Municipal and Industrial Users
WC-2 Tier 1 and Tier 2 Measures for Agricultural Users

Current and Future Surface Water and Groundwater Supply Needs Throughout the Region

Water Conservation (WC)

$0.1M to $0.2M

Local governments; utilities

$0.1M to $0.2M

Supplemental Guidance

WC-3 Audits
WC-4 Metering

Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

$1,300/system $5.3M444

State/federal loan or grant

Irrigation Conservation Practices Appropriate for the Southeastern United States
(6,021 existing irrigation pumps) times 10% increase in pumps times $800/totalizer

WC-5 Inspections
WC-6 Minimize HighPressure Systems
WC-7 Efficient Planting Methods

Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

$0 to $0.5M $4,700/system $0.1M to $0.2M

State/federal loan or grant

$0 to $0.7 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067
Irrigation Conservation Practices Appropriate for the Southeastern United States

Educate farmers on benefits of cropping and crop rotation

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

WC-8
Conservation Tillage

$0.1M to $0.2M

Educate farmers on benefits of conservation tillage

WC-9 Control Loss

$0.1M to $0.2M

Educate farmers on practices to prevent water loss through more efficient detention of rainfall

WC-10
End-Gun Shutoffs

$700/system

Irrigation Conservation Practices Appropriate for the Southeastern United States

WC-11
Low Pressure Systems

$3,400/system

WC-12
Application Efficiency Technologies

$2,000/system

Additional/Alternatives to Existing Surface Water Supply Sources (ASWS)

ASWS-1
Consider Low Flow Conditions in Future Surface Water Permitting

Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

$0.15M to $0.2M per applicant

State incentive programs; utilities

Various recent similar projects. Includes modeling, permit application, and monitoring.

ASWS-2
Incentives for Dry-Year Releases from Ponds

$1M to $2M

State incentive programs

Various recent similar projects

ASWS-3
Substitute Future Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Gap Areas

Current Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

$0.01M to $0.1M per MGD

Georgia Reservoir Local well driller data and and Water Supply Supplemental Guidance Fund

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

ASWS-4
Substitute Existing Agricultural Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Dry Years

$0.01M to $0.1M per MGD

Georgia Reservoir and Water Supply Fund

From local well driller data and Supplemental Guidance. Does not include pipeline costs and cost of treatment.

ASWS-5
Opportunities and Incentives for Dry-Year Releases from Ponds

$1M to $2M

Optimize farm and pond operations for existing use for 7Q10

ASWS-6
Consider Phased Seasonal Agricultural Permit Conditions

$0.15M to $0.2M per applicant

Various recent similar projects

ASWS-7
Ecological Restoration Incentive Program

Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas

$100,000/ac

Clean Water Act Section
319(h) Grants

Supplemental Guidance

ASWS-8
Land Management Incentives
ASWS-9
Incentives for Greater Wastewater Return Flows; Coordinated Management

$0 to $1/capita
$0.1M to $1M per MGD

Clean Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program

Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067
Supplemental Guidance

ASWS-10
Multi-Region Reservoir

Current and Future Surface

$0.01M to $0.35M per MG

GEFA Georgia Reservoir and Water Supply Fund

Supplemental Guidance

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No. (See Table 61)
ASWS-11 Inter-Basin Transfers

Issues to be Addressed
Water Use in Gap Areas

Capital/ Programmatic
Cost
$12.7M per mile

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1
Supplemental Guidance. Interbasin transfer is a function of piping cost and flow. Assume 84-in pipe.

Point Sources Dissolved Oxygen (PSDO)

PSDO-1 Collect Water Quality Data
PSDO-2 Point Source Discharge Relocation
PSDO-3 Improve Treatment Facilities

Water

$0.25M to $0.5M

Quality Gaps

$0.1M to $0.3M

$7M to $10M per MGD

Local governments; utilities GEFA Georgia Fund Loan; utilities
GEFA Georgia Fund Loan; utilities; CWSRF

Various recent similar projects Supplemental Guidance

Available Municipal Wastewater Permit Capacity (MWWPC)

MWWPC-1
Increase Wastewater Permit Capacity

Wastewater $4M to $10M per

Permit

MGD

Capacity Gap

GEFA Georgia Fund Loan

Supplemental Guidance

Available Industrial Wastewater Permit Capacity (IWWPC)

IWWPC-1
Collect Additional Industrial Permit Data

Wastewater $0.1M to $0.2M Permit Capacity Gap

Various recent similar projects

Municipal Groundwater Permit Capacity (MGWPC)

MGWPC-1
Increase Municipal Groundwater Permit Capacity

Groundwater $0.025M to

Permit

$0.05M

Capacity Gap

Drinking Water State
Revolving Fund (DWSRF) Loan Program

Various recent similar projects

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

Industrial Groundwater Permit Capacity (IGWPC)

IGWPC-1
Increase Industrial Groundwater Permit Capacity

Groundwater $0.025M to

Permit

$0.05M

Capacity Gap

DWSRF Loan Program

Various recent similar projects

Groundwater (GW)

GW-1
Sustainable Groundwater Development

Current and Future Groundwater Needs

$0.01M to $0.1M per MGD

Georgia Reservoir and Water Supply Fund

Supplemental Guidance

GW-2 Promote AquiferFriendly Land Uses
GW-3 Research Groundwater Sustainability
GW-4 Inter-State Resource Planning

$0 to $0.45M

GEFA Land Conservation Program

$0 to $0.7 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067

$0.2M to $0.4M

Georgia Reservoir State of Georgia Groundwater and Water Supply Resource Assessment Fund

$0.2M to $0.4M

Various recent similar projects

SW-1
Surface Water Use Within Available Capacity
SW-2
Monitor and Evaluate Estuaries

Current and Future Surface Water
Uses Outside Gap Areas

Surface Water (SW)

$0.05M to $0.1M per applicant

Local governments; utilities

$0.2M to $0.4M

Includes cost of permitting and impact evaluation
Various recent similar projects

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

Dissolved Oxygen, Fecal Coliform, Nutrients, and Other Impairments

NPS-1
Study Human Impacts on Water Quality

Future Water Quality NonPoint Source (NPS) Needs

$0.2M to $0.4M

Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grants

EPA Manual of Costs of Urban Stormwater Control (2002)

NPS-2
Monitor and Address NPS Nutrient Loading

Future Water $0.035M to

Quality NPS $0.13M per

Needs

impairment

Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grants

Various recent similar projects

NPSU-1 Control Erosion
NPSU-2 Manage Stormwater Runoff
NPSU-3 Increase Stormwater Infiltration
NPSU-4 Riparian Buffers

Urban Best Management Practices (NPSU)

Future Water Quality NPS Needs

$0.65M to $1.3M
$6,000 to $65,000 per MG

Clean Water Act Section
319(h) Grants; (Non-point
Source Implementation
Grant)

$1 to $2 per capita. Total population in 2050: 650,067
EPA Manual of Costs of Urban Stormwater Control (2002)

$0 to $0.5M

GEFA Land Conservation Program

$0 to $0.7 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067

$0 to $0.5M

NPSU-5
Street Sweeping

$0.65M to $1.3M

Clean Water Act Section 319(h) Grants; (Non-Point Source Implementation Grant)

$1 to $2 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

Rural Best Management Practices (NPSR)

NPSR-1
Advocate Implementing Road Runoff BMPs

Future Water $0.65M to $1.3M Quality NPS Needs

Clean Water Act Section
319(h) Grants; (Non-point
Source Implementation
Grant)/One Georgia Authority
Equity Fund

$1 to $2 per capita. Total population in 2050: 650,067

NPSF-1
Support Forestry Commission Water Quality Program

Forestry Best Management Practices (NPSF)
Future Water Continue to fund Quality NPS existing programs Needs

NPSF-2
Improve BMP Compliance

$0.1M to $0.25M

Costs of Forestry Best Management Practices in the South: A Review

NPSF-3
Conservation Land Use Planning

$0 to $0.5M

GEFA Land Conservation Program

$0 to $0.7 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067

NPSF-4
Forest Restoration Incentives and Support

$0 to $0.5M

Agricultural Best Management Practices for Crop and Pasture Lands (NPSA)

NPSA-1
Soil Erosion Control Measures

Future Water $0.1M to $0.2M Quality NPS Needs

Irrigation Conservation Practices Appropriate for the Southeastern United States

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

NPSA-2 Utilize Buffers
NPSA-3 Livestock Management

$0 to $0.5M $0 to $0.5M

$0 to $0.7 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067

NPSA-4
Manure Control

$0.5M to $1M

Sussex (Delaware) Conservation District Cover Crop Program Fact Sheet

NPSA-5
Wetland and Forest Restoration Incentives

$0 to $0.5M

$0 to $0.7 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067

Total Maximum Daily Load Listed Streams (TMDL)

TMDL-1
Evaluate Impairment Sources

Future Water $0.5M to $1M Quality NPS Needs

Various recent similar projects

TMDL-2
Analyze Impaired Segments and Sources

$0.035M to $0.13M per impairment

TMDL-3
Stormwater Management BMPs

$33M to $52M

$50 to $80 per capita. Total population in 2050: 650,067

Nutrients Satilla and Savannah River Nutrient (Phosphorus and Nitrogen)

Watershed Models (NUT)

NUT-1
Link Nutrient Loading with Current Land Use

Future Water $10 to $150 per Quality NPS acre Needs

Supplemental Guidance

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

Educational (EDU)

EDU-1
Promote Conservation Programs

Future Educational Needs

$0 to $1.5M

State incentive

$0 to $2.25 per capita per

programs; utilities; Supplemental Guidance. Total

local governments population in 2050: 650,067

EDU-2
Stormwater Education

$0 to $1.5M

EDU-3
Septic System Maintenance Education

$0 to $0.5M

$0 to $0.7 per capita per Supplemental Guidance. Total population in 2050: 650,067

EDU-4
Forestry BMP Education

$0.05M to $0.1M

State incentive programs; local governments

Management Practices in the South: A Review

EDU-5 Funding and Support for BMP Education
OCP-1 Engage Local Governments
OCP-2 Green Space Opportunities and Incentives

Future Educational Needs
Future Ordinance and Code Policy Needs

$0.05M to $0.1M

State incentive programs; utilities; local governments

Ordinance and Code Policy (OCP)

$0 to $0.5M

State incentive

$0 to $0.7 per capita per

programs; utilities; Supplemental Guidance. Total

local governments population in 2050: 650,067

$0.05M to $0.1M

State incentive programs; utilities, local governments; Georgia Land Conservation Program

Supplemental Guidance

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Table 7-2: Cost Estimates for the Implementation Responsibilities

Management Practice No.
(See Table 61)

Issues to be Addressed

Capital/
Programmatic Cost

Funding Sources Notes and Sources for Costs and Options1

OCP-3
Promote Integrated Planning
OCP-4
Local Government Erosion Control Measures

$0 to $0.5M $0 to $0.5M

State incentive

$0 to $0.7 per capita per

programs; utilities, Supplemental Guidance. Total

local governments population in 2050: 650,067

State incentive programs; local governments

1 Where referenced, GEFA-administered loan programs (e.g., CSWRF, DWSRF) are intended to finance eligible activities related to construction of water infrastructure projects, including site-specific engineering and planning.

7.3. Alignment with Other Plans
The Suwannee-Satilla Council's Plan and management practices selection process were based on identifying and supporting existing policy, planning, and projects. Local comprehensive plans, planned and/or permitted projects were relied upon in developing the Regional Water Plan. This approach is tailored to maintain consistency with, and to maximize support for, locally driven water resource management decisions. The Suwannee-Satilla Council did identify potential challenges associated with both the cost and technical issues that the region may face; especially regarding water and wastewater needs for both new and aging infrastructure. In addition, addressing existing surface water gaps must be accomplished in a manner that does not cause adverse impacts to local water users and local governments.
The challenges of funding Plan recommendations and addressing future technical and regulatory issues is especially difficult for smaller towns and utilities, agricultural water uses, and small businesses that rely on natural resources. The successful implementation of the Regional Water Plan will be dependent on the principles of support and leadership by state agencies, in a collaborative setting, utilizing incentives and financial assistance to the extent possible.
7.4. Recommendations to the State
The Suwannee-Satilla Council supports the concept of regional water resource planning with a focus on planning Councils composed of local governments, water users, water providers, industry, business, and affected stakeholders. Local representatives are typically most familiar with local water resource issues and needs. The State has a vital role providing technical support, guidance, and funding to support

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locally focused water resource planning. This Plan should be viewed as a living, iterative document and the State should focus on the following principles:
Education, Incentives, Collaboration, Cooperation, Enabling, Supporting The Suwannee-Satilla Council is sensitive to unintended consequences if Plan recommendations become mandates or infringe upon private property rights. The State must help balance Plan recommendations with assessing measurable progress toward Plan implementation. If additional rules or other administrative or regulatory actions are deemed necessary, the State should work with Councils to help ensure workable solutions.
The following specific recommendations to the State are provided to help aid in the successful implementation of the Plan.
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
Consider "institutionalizing" planning. This would entail a long-term commitment of staff and funding to: monitor and support Plan recommendations; coordinate improved data collection, management and analysis; continue to develop and improve Resource Assessment tools; and help provide funding, permitting, and technical support to address gaps and water resource needs.
Work with EPD's Agricultural Water Metering Program, as well as other partners, including but not limited to, the University of Georgia and the Georgia Department of Agriculture, to improve agricultural water use data collection and management. This effort would focus on refining source(s) of supply for multiple irrigation sources, continuing to assess data on crop water requirements, evaluating the effects of farm ponds on direct irrigation withdrawals and the hydrologic cycle, and further research on crop consumptive use. This data in turn should be coordinated with Resource Assessment tools to ensure accurate simulation of any gaps and assumptions.
Support completion, maintenance and improvement of the Agricultural Water Use Measurement Program, which is aimed at cost effectively collecting agricultural water use data across the State, and integrating cooperative arrangements with the private sector and partnerships with other State agencies. This program is a vital component to helping the State and regions effectively manage and utilize water resources.
Work with the Southern Georgia Regional Commission to expand water quality monitoring of tributaries on the State's 303(d) list and tributaries identified as having little or no dissolved oxygen assimilative capacity. Develop a new

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dissolved oxygen standard that reflects the naturally low concentrations in blackwater streams that are prevalent in this area.
Focus funding support and permitting assistance to projects and programs aimed at addressing gap areas. Where possible, leverage federal funds to help support and expedite project implementation.
Consider collaborative approaches to collecting more standardized water use data and improving data on water demands. This would include continued improvement and updating databases used in the planning process. It would also involve working with the Georgia Municipal Association, Georgia Association of County Commissioners, and other relevant stakeholders to improve water use information.
Working with Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, examine opportunities to improve coordination among water providers and users and create incentives to maximize existing infrastructure and coordinated operations.
Continue to engage in dialogue and data-sharing with the States of Florida and South Carolina regarding current and forecasted groundwater use. South Georgia, North Florida, and South Carolina rely on the Floridan Aquifer to meet water supply needs and it is in EPD's best interest to include the most accurate available information on growth and groundwater use in both states in the Resource Assessment modeling.
Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA)
Meeting forecasted water supply needs will require stable and flexible funding sources to assist water users and water and wastewater utilities in meeting forecasted needs. A stable GEFA financing source(s) should be provided for necessary water supply, water and wastewater plant construction, and plant upgrades to address current and future gaps.
Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC)
Continue to support and fund the GFC Forestry Best Management Practices Program. Providing education and incentives to control erosion and segmentation will help the region prevent/address TMDL listed segments, reduce nutrient loadings, and support wetland areas. This will have the benefit of helping sustaining baseflow conditions of streams and water quality.
Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC)
GSWCC should continue to provide leadership and locally focused efforts in the following programs:

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Continue education and outreach associated with Urban Erosion and Sediment Control program including certification of individuals involved in land disturbing activities and on-site implementation of erosion, sedimentation, and pollution control plans. This will help address the water quality needs of the region.
Continue education and outreach efforts to agricultural interests to inform farmers of available technologies and funding sources to make more efficient use of water resources without incurring hardship.
Support Georgia Agricultural Conservation Incentive program, which provides funding support to help implement conservation practices. Funding for this program is essential to help implement conservation measures, especially in the regional watersheds where there are surface water gaps.
Provide incentives to restore wetlands and historically drained hardwood swamps and other natural retention areas. Restoration of these features will replenish sources of headwaters by retaining surface runoff and releasing it over a longer period to offset loss of baseflows between rain events, while also providing additional recharge to surficial aquifers.
Office of State Planning and Budget (OPB)
Obtain population census data and compare to population forecasts to track trends in the accuracy of population projections.
Revise population forecasts and support ongoing state-wide planning.
Department of Community Affairs (DCA)
Identify and encourage local governments to integrate Regional Water Plan management practices with land use and water quality/quantity nexuses into their comprehensive planning efforts.
Continue to promote coordinated environmental planning.
In-State Universities and Colleges
Research the percent loss and consumption of irrigation water applied to crops to estimate how much of the water that is applied to a crop is lost to evaporation, runs off into surface waters, and infiltrates to groundwater.
Research varieties of crops that require less water and are more drought resistant.
Research the impacts of development and various land uses on aquifer recharge areas.

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7. Implementing Water Management Practices
Research the effectiveness of management practices to control non-point source pollutants such as sediment, fecal coliform, and nutrients in stormwater runoff from different land uses including urban and rural development, agriculture, and silviculture.
Research the role played by wetlands in abating runoff flows from storm events, providing source water for surface water features, and treating surface water quality. Evaluate the benefits of restoring previously drained and/or developed wetlands to their natural state.
Georgia Department of Agriculture (DOA)
Provide technical information and participate in needed studies to better characterize agricultural water uses and quantification of shortages to low flow conditions.
Assist with outreach and education of agricultural users to obtain greater understanding of surface water resource limitations, both quality and quantity, and to help improve the implementation rate of management practices. Assist EPD and other state agencies in coordinating accomplishment of the above goals with the Georgia Farm Bureau.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources [Coastal Resources Division (CRD) and Wildlife Resources Division (WRD)]
Continue to monitor resources and help sustain, enhance, protect and conserve Georgia's natural, historic, and cultural resources.
Provide technical and ecosystem information to help support state water planning needs.

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8. MONITORING AND REPORTING PROGRESS

8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

Section 8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

The selected water management practices identified in Section 6 will be primarily implemented (as described in

Summary

Section 7) by the various water users in the Region, including local governments and others with the capacity to develop water infrastructure and apply for the required permits, grants, and loans.

The Suwannee-Satilla Council has identified several benchmarks and means to measure progress toward

8.1. Benchmarks

meeting regional needs and goals. In most cases, efforts

The benchmarks prepared by the Suwannee-Satilla Council and listed in Table 8-1 will be used to assess the effectiveness of this Plan's implementation and identify

will require significant coordination between affected water resource

any required revisions. As detailed below, the managers, and local and

Suwannee-Satilla Council selected both qualitative and state government.

quantitative benchmarks that will be used to assess Successful implementation

whether the water management practices are closing will be dependent on

gaps over time and allowing the water planning region to adequate financing,

meet its Vision and Goals. The benchmarks will be used leadership and support by

to evaluate the Regional Water Plan effectiveness at the state agencies, and

next 5-year Plan review.

collaboration by multiple

stakeholders. New and/or

Effective implementation of the Plan will require the availability of sufficient funding in the form of loans, and in some cases, possibly grants. In addition, many of the proposed management practices require ongoing coordination with affected stakeholders/water users and

changing information will likely influence how the recommended practices are ultimately implemented.

collaboration to help ensure successful solutions are

identified and implemented. Finally, in many cases monitoring progress toward

addressing future needs will require improved data and information on the current

actions and management practices that are already in place. The benchmarks will be

used to evaluate the Regional Water Plan effectiveness at the next 5-year Plan review

and will require collection of information in the intervening years to better quantify and

document resource conditions and progress toward meeting regional needs and goals.

The successful implementation of the Regional Water Plan will require both leadership

and supporting roles by Georgia EPD, other state agencies, local government and

water and wastewater utilities, as well as individual water users.

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8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

Table 8-1: Benchmarks for Water Management Plans

Management Practice No.
(See Table 6-1)

Benchmark

Measurement Tools

Time Period

Address Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas
Data Collection/Additional Research (DCAR) to confirm frequency, duration, and severity of agriculturally-driven shortages to 7Q10 low flow conditions

DCAR-1 through DCAR-10
Research in Agricultural and Alternative Supply Management Practices

- Develop Plan of Study, obtain funding and stakeholder participation as needed
- Completion of work plans and study implementation and documentation of results
- Incorporate data and findings into forecasts, Resource Assessments, and Water Plan updates

- Survey or self-reporting of agencies/entities involved in studies
- Verify inputs and revisions to water planning tools

2-4 years 5 years

Groundwater quantity and all water use throughout the region Surface water quantity at Atkinson, Fargo, Statenville, Jennings, and Pinetta

WC-1 and WC-2
Tier 1 and Tier 2 Measures for Municipal, Industrial, and Agricultural Users

- Maintain or reduce gallons per capita consistent with Tiers 1 and 2 conservation practices
- Implementation of Tiers 1 and 2 agricultural conservation practices

Assess regional municipal, industrial, and agricultural water use rate trends and practices via periodic survey

2-5 years

WC-3 through WC-12
Tier 3 and Tier 4 Measures for Agricultural Users

Reduction in agricultural surface water withdrawals while maintaining agricultural production and reduction in surface water gaps

- Survey of agricultural conservation practices implementation rates and trends in water use by GSWCC
- Assess flow conditions using water use data and Resource Assessment tools (EPD)

2-5 years

Address Current and Future Surface Water Use in Gap Areas Additional/Alternate to Existing Surface Water Supply Sources (ASWS)

ASWS-1
Consider Low Flow Conditions in Future Surface Water Permitting

- Formation of stakeholder group and consensus reached on new surface water application process in gap areas
- Application process and permit conditions developed

Status report from stakeholder group;
Report on usage of process and the number of permits issued with conditions

1-2 years 2-4 years

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8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

Table 8-1: Benchmarks for Water Management Plans

Management Practice No.
(See Table 6-1)

Benchmark

Measurement Tools

ASWS-2
Incentives for DryYear Releases from Ponds

Incentives and operating conditions identified as part of ASWS-1

Document and maintain volumetric accounting of participating storage facilities

ASWS-3
Substitute Future Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Gap Areas

- Information and educational materials developed in conjunction with GSWCC and Georgia DOA to communicate details and goals of improving surface water flows
- Methods and incentives identified to increase implementation/participation

- Verify information and educational outreach via survey or direct agency reporting
- Monitor and track surface water versus groundwater permit applications

ASWS-4
Substitute Existing Agricultural Surface Water Use with Groundwater in Dry Years

- Develop information and educational materials in conjunction with GSWCC and Georgia DOA to communicate details and goals of improving surface water flows
- Identify methods and incentives to increase implementation/participation

Identify and monitor participation and conversion rates from surface water to groundwater

Time Period 2-5 years 1-3 years 1-5 years
1-3 years
1-5 years

ASWS-5 Opportunities and Incentives for DryYear Releases from Ponds
ASWS-6 Consider Phased Seasonal Agricultural Permit Conditions

- Completion of feasibility study
- Working with potential participants, opportunities and incentives identified
- Identify need for permit seasonality on a resource (drainage basin) basis and feasibility of permit alterations
- Study magnitude of required permit alterations in identified basins through surface water availability modeling

- Identification of largest storage facilities for potential participation in gap areas
- Report summarizing opportunities and implementation
- Inventory of basins that cannot support existing permitted uses in drought seasons
- Report summarizing study results

1-3 years 1-5 years
1-3 years 3-5 years

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8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

Table 8-1: Benchmarks for Water Management Plans

Management Practice No.
(See Table 6-1)

Benchmark

Measurement Tools

ASWS-7
Ecological Restoration Incentive Program

Pending feasibility study

Assess results of research

Time Period
5 years

ASWS-8 through ASWS-11
Land Management Incentives and Alternative Supply Sources

- Feasibility studies completed (for short-term studies)
- Feasibility studies initiated (for long-term studies/actions)

Reevaluate need during next Regional Water Plan update

5 years
(for ASWS 9: 1-3 years)

Address Water Quality (Dissolved Oxygen Levels) Point Sources (PSDO)

PSDO-1
Collect Water Quality Data

- Resource Assessment assumptions reviewed and, if necessary, new data collection efforts underway/completed
- New findings incorporated into updated Resource Assessment data sets

- EPD/agency summary report complete verifying assumptions and documentation of new data

1-4 years

PSDO-2 Point Source Discharge Relocation
PSDO-3 Improve Treatment Facilities

- Outreach activities to dischargers completed and feasible options have implemented by dischargers
- EPD to conduct outreach and facilitate improved treatment in low dissolved oxygen reaches

Monitor permit applications and verify improved data collection for dischargers

5 years

Obtain Additional Municipal and Industrial Water and Wastewater Permit Capacity

MWWPC-1, IWWPC1, MGWPC-1, IGWPC-1
Expansion of Wastewater and Groundwater Permit Capacities to Address Gaps/Needs

- Outreach activities completed to water providers in high growth areas
- Need for additional permit capacity verified and improved data for discharges obtained

Monitor permit applications and verify improved data collection for dischargers

5 years

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8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

Table 8-1: Benchmarks for Water Management Plans

Management Practice No.
(See Table 6-1)

Benchmark

Measurement Tools

Time Period

Addressing Current and Future Groundwater Needs for Gap and Non-gap Areas

GW-1
Sustainable Groundwater Development

Sufficient permit capacity to meet forecasted needs; through the timely submittal and processing of permit applications

Monitor permit applications and issuance

1-5 years

GW-2
Promote AquiferFriendly Land Uses

Counties and local governments consider practices to promote infiltration and aquifer recharge

Evaluate trends in impervious land cover in areas of aquifer recharge

5 years

Management Practice No.
(See Table 6-1)

Benchmark

Measurement Tools

Time Period

GW-3
Research Groundwater Sustainability

Sound science used to improve data and sustainably manage groundwater resources

Groundwater Resource Assessment updated

5 years

GW-4
Inter-State Resource Planning

Data sharing and cooperation with Florida; incorporation of Florida forecast uses into future modeling

Addressing Current and Future Surface Water Needs for Gap and Non-gap Areas

SW-1
Surface Water Use Within Available Capacity

Sufficient permit capacity exists to meet forecasted needs through timely submittal and processing of permit applications

Monitor permit applications and issuance

1-5 years

SW-2
Study Human Impacts on Water Quality

- Major water resources diversion/storage projects identified
- Upstream actions that would significantly impact flow conditions assessed

Monitoring data collected in estuaries and river flow trend data collected and reviewed

5 years

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8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

Table 8-1: Benchmarks for Water Management Plans

Management Practice No.
(See Table 6-1)

Benchmark

Measurement Tools

Time Period

Programmatic Practices for Water Quality The following management practices are associated with the Vision and Goals of the Region and are described in general terms as they are either associated with existing state and local programs or are not yet at a
point where implementation frameworks have been established by the State

- Ammonia and Nutrients Point Sources
- Nutrient Non-point sources Satilla Watershed Model
- Urban/Suburban, Rural, Forestry, and Agricultural Nonpoint source BMPs
- Total Maximum Daily Load Listed Streams BMPs

Additional assessments to align sources of contaminates (point and non-point sources) to water quality impairments and land use types
- Continue implementation and assessment of the effectiveness of existing state program including GFC, GSWCC, 319 Water Quality initiatives, and local efforts to improve watershed protection and water quality improvements
- Background/natural levels of potential sources established

- Review and assessment of programs and information
- Complete summaries of watershed conditions using Resource Assessment tools, improved data collection, and synthesis of relevant state program data

1-5 years

Management Practices to Support Educational Needs

Support education programs for:
Water Conservation, Stormwater Management, Septic System Maintenance,
Logger Education, and, Forestry BMPs

- Data used to identify where future program efforts will be most effective
- Funding for programs maintained or improved

Survey and summarize program effectiveness and success stories

1- 5 years

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8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress

Table 8-1: Benchmarks for Water Management Plans

Management Practice No.
(See Table 6-1)

Benchmark

Measurement Tools

Time Period

Management Practices to Address Ordinance and Code Policy Needs

- Encourage implementation and/or compliance with Stormwater ordinances and/or regulations
- Encourage improved conformance with Environmental Planning Criteria developed pursuant to Part V of the Georgia Planning Act
- Encourage local governments to improve conformance with erosion/sediment control measures

- Select local governments surveyed to identify current knowledge base and recommended areas of improvement
- Improved education at state and local government conferences and workshops
- Enhanced awareness in Comprehensive Planning by local governments across region

Select follow-up survey of local governments to identify changes and success stories

1-5 years

Shared Resources

Combined management practices for the Atkinson, Statenville, Jennings, and Pinetta surface water gaps
(Altamaha, Upper Flint, Lower FlintOchlockonee Planning Regions)

Regional Council-specific management practices implemented

Evaluate project improvement of surface water flows using gauge data and Resource Assessment tools

1-5 years

Ongoing Planning coordination with Florida

- Outreach and coordination with states completed and water planning data collected
- Review Resource Assessment tools and make modifications if warranted

- Report summarizing planning data
- Information needs and issues documentation

1-5 years 5 years

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8-7

8. Monitoring and Reporting Progress
8.2. Plan Updates
Meeting current and future water needs will require periodic review and revision of Regional Water Plans. The State Water Plan and associated rules provide that each Regional Water Plan will be subject to review by the appropriate Regional Water Planning Council every 5 years and in accordance with the guidance provided by the Director, unless otherwise required by the Director for earlier review. These reviews and updates will allow an opportunity to adapt the Regional Water Plan based on changed circumstances and new information arising in the 5 years after EPD's adoption of these plans. These benchmarks will guide EPD in the review of the Regional Water Plan.
The Councils appointed to prepare future Regional Water Plan updates will have the opportunity to review the recommendations of past Plans against current available data to make a determination as to which management practices are still appropriate and which ones need to be revised or augmented to meet changing conditions. Future Councils will also have the ability to judge the effectiveness of practices recommended in previous Plans against available benchmark data. This analysis will reveal which practices are effective and what adjustments are necessary to compensate for less effective practices.
8.3. Plan Amendments
The Suwannee-Satilla Council emphasizes that the recommendations in this Regional Water Plan are based on the best information available at the time the Plan was written. New information and issues that may impact the recommendations should be considered and incorporated into relevant implementation decisions and future Regional Water Plan updates. Future planning efforts should confirm current assumptions and make necessary revisions and/or improvements to the conclusions reached during this phase of planning.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Bibliography

Bibliography
CDM. Water Supply Cost Estimation Study. Document prepared for the South Florida Water Management District. Dated February 2007.
CDM, 2010. Groundwater Flow Modeling of the Coastal Plain Aquifer System of Georgia. Draft Report completed for EPD as part of State of Georgia Groundwater Resources Assessment.
Cowie, G. and Davis, D. Georgia's State Water Plan. Retrieved on March 2, 2009. www.robinson.gsu.edu/ethics_pub/2009/cowie.pdf
Georgia Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Plan. Georgia Water Council. January 8, 2008.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs Georgia County Snapshots website. Retrieved on July 21, 2010, www.dca.state.ga.us/CountySnapshotsNet/default.aspx
Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Regional Planning Rules "Standards and Procedures for Regional Planning." Chapter 110-12-6, et seq. www.dca.ga.gov/development/PlanningQualityGrowth/PAGES/Legal.asp#RegionalRules
Georgia Department of Corrections website Facility Search. Retrieved on July 21, 2010, www.dcor.state.ga.us/GDC/FacilityMap/jsp/FacQrybyCounty.jsp
Georgia Department of Economic Development's Georgia Facts website. Retrieved on July 21, 2010, www.georgiafacts.net
Georgia Department of Labor's Labor Market Explorer and Local Area Profiles. Retrieved on July 21, 2010, www.explorer.dol.state.ga.us/mis/profiles.htm
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Assimilative Capacity Resource Assessment Scenario Report. Draft Report completed in cooperation with Tetra Tech. March 2011.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Synopsis Report Groundwater Availability Assessment. Report completed in cooperation with CDM. March 2010.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Synopsis Report - Groundwater Availability Assessment Updates. Report completed in cooperation with CDM Smith. May 2017.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Synopsis Report - Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment. Report completed in cooperation with ARCADIS. May 2017.

June 2017

B-1

SUWANNEE-SATILLA

Bibliography
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Synopsis Report Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment. Report completed in cooperation with TetraTech. May 2017.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Supplemental Guidance for Regional Planning Contractors: Water Management Practice Cost Comparison. March 2010 (Revised March 2011).
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Groundwater Flow Modeling of the Coastal Plain Aquifer System of Georgia. Draft Report completed by CDM for EPD as part of State of Georgia Groundwater Resources Assessment. December 2009.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. The State of Georgia's Environment. 2009.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Georgia's State Water Plan. Regional Water Planning Guidance. July 2009.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Georgia's Water Resources. A Blueprint for the Future. Draft Submission to the Water Council. June 28, 2007.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Coastal Georgia Water and Wastewater Permitting Plan for Managing Salt Water Intrusion. June 2006.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Suwannee River Basin Management Plan 2002.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. Satilla River Basin Management Plan 2002.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Environmental Protection Division. St. Marys River Basin Management Plan 2002.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Resources Division. Fisheries Section Annual Report. 2006.
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Resources Division. State Wildlife Action Plan. Revised 2015. http://www.georgiawildlife.com/conservation/wildlifeaction-plan
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Wildlife Resources Division. A Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy for Georgia. August 31, 2005.

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June 2017

Bibliography
Georgia Forestry Commission. The Economic Impact of Forest Products Manufacturing In Georgia. 2008. www.gfc.state.ga.us/ForestMarketing/documents/EconomicImpactofFPMinGA2008.pdf
Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. Georgia 2030 Population Projections. March 12, 2010.
North Carolina State University Department of Forestry. Costs of Forestry Best Management Practices in the South: A Review. Presentation from Forestry Best Management Practices Research Symposium, Atlanta, Georgia, April 2002.
Southeast Regional Climate Center. Climate summaries obtained for the following stations: Douglas (ID 092783), Fitzgerald (ID 093386), Ashburn (ID 090406), Tifton (ID 098703), Alapaha (090131), Adel (ID 090053), Nashville (ID 096237), Quitman (097276), and Homerville (ID 094429).
Southern Georgia Regional Commission website. Retrieved August 3, 2010, www.sgrc.us/
St. Johns River Water Management District. Water Supply Needs and Sources Assessment Alternative Water Supply Strategies Investigation, Water Supply and Wastewater Systems Component Cost Information.1997.
Sussex Conservation District. FY 2004 Sussex Conservation District Cover Crop Program Fact Sheet. Georgetown, Delaware. 2003.
Thomas, D.L. (ed.), Evans, R.O., Harrison, K.A., Hook, J.E., Privette, C.V., Segars, W.I., Smith, W.B., Tyson, A.W. 1998. Irrigation Conservation Practices Appropriate for the Southeastern United States. Georgia Geologic Survey Project Report 32. Prepared in cooperation with Georgia DNR, EPD under Proposal No. ES61135FC1. Retrieved on November 20, 2010 from: www.nespal.org/SIRP/IWC/Report/conserv.rpt980728.pdf
University System of Georgia, Map of USG Institutions. Retrieved on July 21, 2010, www.usg.edu/inst/map/
U.S. Department of Agriculture. 2007 Census of Agriculture Summary and State Data. Issued February 2009, Updated December 2009.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Costs of Urban Stormwater Control Practices Preliminary Report. February 5, 2006.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Costs of Urban Stormwater Control. January 2002.

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APPEBNIDBILXIOAGRAPHY

Section ES
ES ES ES ES ES ES ES
ES ES ES ES
ES
ES ES 1

Location Trends and Key Findings
Introduction/ Overview Introduction/ Overview Introduction/ Overview Water Resources and Use, Figure ES-4 Figure ES-5
Groundwater Availability Surface Water Availability
Table ES-1
Summary of Resource Assessment Results Assessment of Water Quality Conditions Former Table ES-1
Identifying Water Management Practices to Address Water Resources Shortfalls and Future Needs Figure ES-7
Implementation Considerations and Benchmarks Section 1.0

Change Updated summary box text with the most recent information.
Updated state growth information Minor text revisions/updates Updated population projections Updated return flow information and figure Updated figure Updated/modified text Updated/modified text
Replaced Figure ES-7 with new Table ES-1 Updated summary box text with the most recent surface water quality information Updated/modified text
Removed Updated/modified text
Modified figure number Updated/modified text
Minor text revisions/updates in first three paragraphs of Introduction.

Description - Population information was updated based on the most recent statewide population projections (Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, 2015). - Updated water use information from the Suwannee-SatillaWater and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum (CDM Smith, 2017). - Updated discussion and statistics of water quality impairments based on results from Surface Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment (EPD, March 2017). - Values for the state of Georgia were updated based on the most recent information from the U.S. Census Bureau.
- Text was revised/updated to reflect the purpose of this document as an update to the Plan completed in 2011. - Removal of Council website. - Values were updated based on the most recent statewide population projections (Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, 2015). - Water and wastewater values updated based on the Suwannee-Satilla Water and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum (CDM Smith, 2017)
- Population information was updated based on the most recent statewide population projections (Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, 2015). - Groundwater use projection updated based on Suwannee-Satilla Water and Wastewater Forecasting Technical Memorandum (CDM Smith, 2017). - Removed references to Figure ES-7 and added references to Table ES-1. - Removed reference to surface water gap at the Fargo planning node. - Updated contribution of agricultural and industrial surface water use to current and/or future surface water gaps from 9.54 MGD to 3.5 MGD. - Removed reference to the term "planning node" which referred to the removed Figure ES-7 - Replaced Figure ES-7 with Table ES-1 to describe the forecasted surface water gaps.
- Updated summary of assimilative capacity based on results from Surface Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment (EPD, March 2017).
- Updated discussion and statistics of water quality impairments based on results from Surface Water Quality (Assimilative Capacity) Resource Assessment (EPD, March 2017).
- This table was removed and replaced with references to other portions of the document for the results of the assimilative capacity assessment for dissolved oxygen. - Updated EPD reference from 2010 to 2017. - Added additional wording to modify language about Regional Water Plan.
- Because Figure ES-7 was removed (see above), subsequent figure numbers were revised accordingly. 2011 Figure ES-8 is Figure ES-7 in 2017 update. - Updated Governor and Speaker of the House to current administration.
- Text was revised/updated to reflect the purpose of this document as an update to the Plan completed in 2011.

March 2017 - DRAFT

Suwannee Satilla A - 1

Section

Location

1

Section 1.0

1

Section 1.1

1

Section 1.2

1

Section 1.3

1

Figure 1-3

1

Section 1.3

1

Section 1.3

2

Section 2.1

2

Section 2.1

2

Section 2.2

2

Section 2.2

2

Section 2.2

2

Section 2.2 and

Figure 2-3

2

Section 2.2

2

Section 2.3

3

Section 3.2

3

Section 3.2.1

3

Figure 3-5

3

Table 3-1

3

Figure 3-6

3

Section 3.2.1 -

Nutrient Modeling

Section

3

Section 3.2.2

Change Added fourth paragraph to Introduction. Minor text revisions/updates
Minor text revisions/updates
Updated to current Suwanee-Satilla Council member numbers. Updated to current Suwanee-Satilla Council member cities. Minor text revisions/updates
Revised website references
Updated percentage of groundwater supplied from the Floridan aquifer system Refined climate description Updated population projection
Minor text revisions/updates Updated cash receipts
Updated land cover distribution
Updated description of irrigated crops Minor text revisions/updates in second paragraph Minor text revisions/updates
Text revisions/updates
Updated Updated Updated Text revisions/updates

Description - Added a brief description of the purpose of the Regional Water Plan update process and resulting changes to the revised management practices recommended by the Suwanee-Satilla Council. - Text in fourth paragraph was revised/updated to reflect the purpose of this document as an update to the Plan completed in 2011. - Text in this section was revised/updated to reflect the purpose of this document as an update to the Plan completed in 2011 and to describe the similar approach to process utilized for the Plan update. - Updated Suwanee-Satilla Council member numbers, including positions of alternates and Ex-Officio members in first paragraph. - Updated Suwanee-Satilla Council member location cities in the map showing each county in the council.
- Text in this section was revised/updated to reflect the purpose of this document as an update to the Plan completed in 2011 and to describe the similar approach to process utilized for the Plan update. - Website links for the Memorandum of Agreement, Vision and Goals, Public Involvement Plan, and Public Outreach Technical Memorandum were updated or removed because they were no longer valid. Please refer to the Council's website if link is not available in the document. - Updated percentage of groundwater supplied to the Suwannee-Satilla Planning Region from the Floridan aquifer system based on new 2015 forecasted groundwater withdrawal information.
- Refined description of snowfall historical average in climate section. - Updated population value to the 2015 population projection based on updated reference (Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, 2015). - Corrected misspelling in paragraph two. - Updated cash receipt of State's economy value from 2007 to the 2012 projection based on updated reference (Census of Agriculture, 2012). - Updated land cover distribution based on most recent available information from the University of Georgia Natural Resources Spatial Analysis Laboratory (2008) - Updated description based on the most recent information in the 2016 agricultural demand assessment.
- Updated text in second paragraph to reflect that the Regional Plan was completed.
- Updated word choice and sentence structure. - Removed text related to outdated references. - Updated the reference to the year of the Resource Assessment. - Removed text related to outdated references. - Updated descriptions of the Surface Water Quality Resource Assessment to more accurately describe the nature of the analysis. - Figure updated with most recent assimilative capacity model. - Values updated with most recent results of the assimilative capacity assessment. - Values updated with most recent results of the assimilative capacity assessment. - Updated word choice and sentence structure.

Text revisions/updates

- Updated the reference to the year of the Resource Assessment. - Updated descriptions of the Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment to more accurately describe the nature of the analysis. - Updated word choice and sentence structure. - Moved the reference to Table 3-2 prior to the table instead of after. Text following Table 3-2 was deleted.

March 2017 - DRAFT

Suwannee Satilla A - 2

Section

Location

3

Table 3-2

3

Section 3.2.3

3

Figure 3-8

3

Section 3.3 -

Impaired Water

Bodies Section

3

Figure 3-9

4

Summary

4

Section 4

4

Table 4-1

4

Section 4.1 -

Municipal Water

Forecasts Section

4

Former Table 4-2

Change Revised/Updated
Minor text revisions Updated
Minor text revisions/updates
Updated Updated projection values Minor text updates Updated
Text revisions/updates
Removed

4

Figure 4-1

Updated

4

Section 4.1 -

Municipal

Wastewater

Text revisions/updates

Forecasts Section

4

Figure 4-2

Updated

4

Section 4.2

Minor text revisions/updates

4

Table 4-2 and

Figure 4-3

4

Section 4.3

Updated Text revisions/updates

4

Table 4-3

4

Figure 4-4

4

Section 4.4

4

Table 4-4

4

Section 4.5

4

Figure 4-5

Updated Updated Text revisions/updates Updated Minor text revisions/updates Updated

Description - Table was revised to align with the 2017 updates. Values presented are based on the Surface Water Availability Assessment, March 2017, EPD. - Removed text related to outdated references. - This figure has been Updated to remove reference to the Upper Floridan Aquifer. See reason in "General updates completed throughout the plan". - Percentages of impaired reaches was updated. - Removed text related to outdated references.
- Values updated with most recent results of the assimilative capacity assessment. - The text was updated to reflect the revised forecasts. - Updated planning horizon in first paragraph. - Population projections were updated based on the 2015 population numbers from the Governor's Office of Planning and Budget. - The text was added to describe updated methodology utilized during the Plan update. - Updated the reference to the year of the Technical Memo and outdated text. - The text related to former Figure 4-2 was removed. - The table was removed as the revised methodology did not split out the specific contributions from each individual piece of legislation that reduced flush volumes of toilets for passive conservation. Because Table 4-2 was removed, subsequent table numbers were revised accordingly. - This figure was updated to reflect the revised municipal water forecasts. - Updated word choice and sentence structure. - A contribution for I/I was not explicitly added under the revised methodology but instead forecasts were based on the reported discharges. Thus the paragraph describing I/I flows was removed and text was added to describe the updated methodology.
- This figure was updated to reflect the revised municipal wastewater forecasts. - The text related to the planning period was updated. - Mining industry shows an increasing trend throughout the planning period rather than a decreasing trend indicated in the 2011 Plan. - The table and figure were updated to include 2015 data also other values remained the same.
- The text was updated to reflect the updated methodology for forecasting agricultural demands that was updated in 2016. - Removed text related to outdated references. - The text was updated based on the most recent data. - This table was updated with the revised agricultural forecasts. - Values quoted in surrounding text was also updated based on current information. - This figure was updated to reflect the revised agricultural water use forecasts. - The forecast is no longer being split between crop and non-crop values. - The text was updated to reflect the updated energy forecast that was completed in 2016 and included updates to the methodology. - There is no longer a regional portion of unassigned energy sector withdrawals as the Statewide unassigned withdrawals were significantly reduced since the previous round and this was no longer a factor. - The text was updated based on the most recent data. - This figure was updated with the revised water demand totals per sector. - The figure was converted from pie charts to a bar chart to better show the trend of increasing demands. - Values quoted in surrounding text was also updated based on current information.

March 2017 - DRAFT

Suwannee Satilla A - 3

Section

Location

4

Figure 4-6

5

Summary

5

Section 5 -

Introduction

5

Section 5.1

5

Figure 5-1

5

Table 5-1

5

Section 5.2

5

Table 5-2, and

Figure 5-2

5

Table 5-3

5

Table 5-4

5

Section 5.3

5

Table 5-5

5

Section 5.3 -

Assimilative

Capacity

Assessments

Section

5

Table 5-6

5

Figure 5-3 and

Figure 5-4

5

Former Figure 5-3

Change Updated
Minor text revisions/updates Minor text revisions

Description - This figure was updated with the revised total wastewater flows. - The figure was converted from pie charts to a bar chart to better show the trend of increasing flows. - Values quoted in surrounding text was also updated based on current information.
- Updated word choice and sentence structure. - Updated word choice and sentence structure.

Text revisions/updates Added Table revisions/updates Text revisions/updates
Table 5-2 and Figure 5-2 added to replace former Figure 5-1

- Updated word choice and sentence structure. - First paragraph, text was added for Figure 5-1. - Second paragraph, list of counties in the modeled aquifer area was cross checked with the county demands being included as part of the groundwater availability comparison.
- This figure was previously included in the RWP of other councils. We also added it here to visually show the projected demands compared to the calculated sustainable yield as well as the portion of demand attributed to Suwannee-Satilla in the modeled aquifer area.
- Values in the table were updated based on revised permitted water withdrawal values and the updated demand forecasts. - All counties are now included in the table. - The focus of the table is solely municipal permits. - Both 2015 and 2050 demands are included so that projected growth patterns can be seen.
- Updated word choice and sentence structure. - Text was added regarding the Surface Water Availability Resource Assessment. - List of relevant planning nodes updated. There are now more relevant planning nodes being considered in the bulleted list at the beginning of Section 5.2. All nodes with any portion of their drainage area in Suwannee-Satilla are now being included in the list. - Text was added regarding the planning nodes and Table 5-2 and Figure 5-3. - Removed outdated text related to previous shortfall analysis. - Text was added related to current analysis.
- Table 5-2 contains a summary of the potential gaps that was previously included as part of former Figure 5-1. - Figure 5-2 was added to highlight the portions of the region which drain to a planning node identified as having a potential gap.

Added

- Table 5-3 (new) and related text was added to provide additional detail regarding the frequency and duration of the potential gaps. This information was utilized in determining the most relevant management practices for addressing the potential gaps.

Updated Text revisions/updates
Updated Text revisions/updates

- Values in the table were updated based on the updated demands and the updated potential gaps.
- Updated word choice and sentence structure. - The text was updated to reflect the most recent data. - The table was updated with the latest permitted discharge flow values and the updated wastewater flow forecasts.
- Updated word choice and sentence structure. - The text was updated to reflect the most recent data. - Text was added regarding the current modeling results.

Updated Revised to replace former Figure 52 Removed

- This table was updated based on the results of the current assimilative capacity resource assessment.
- These figures were reworked to provide a single view of the whole region rather than the individual snapshots provided previously. - This figure was removed as revised information was not available. The core components of the figure are still included within the text and new figures.

March 2017 - DRAFT

Suwannee Satilla A - 4

Section 5
5 5 6

Location Section 5.3 - NonPoint Source Pollution Section
Section 5.4 Table 5-7 Section 6.2

6

Table 6-1

7

Introduction

7

Table 7-1

7

Section 7.2

7

Section 7.2

7

Section 7.4

Change Minor text revisions/updates

Description - Updated word choice and sentence structure. - Text was added regarding the Resource Assessment.

Added Added Minor text revisions/updates
Table updated with the most recent information.
Minor text revisions/updates Table updated with the most recent information.
Added verbiage regarding planning level cost estimate. Revised various USDA NRCS funding options.

- A summary section was added to recap major finding in the section.
- Table 5-7 was added to summarize the counties with specific identified issues.
- Text was added regarding the impact to the management practices since 2011. - Updated word choice and sentence structure. - Deleted references to 7Q10.
- The Description/Definition of Action of various management practices were updated to align with 2017 updates and to capture the recommendations made by the council. - Additional updates:
- A note was added regarding 7Q10. - WC-1: Text was added regarding the latest regulations. - MWWPC-1 currently only impacts Bacon and Pierce County. - SW-2: Revised Satilla to St. Mary's
- Years of the planning horizon were updated.
- Updated the dates in the columns "For All Actions: Initial Implementation Step(s) and Associated Date(s)" and "Further Action to Complete Implementation and Associated Dates" to reflect the planning horizon. - MWWPC-1 currently only impacts Bacon and Pierce County. - MGWPC-1 currently only impacts Brantley, Echols, Lanier, and Pierce Counties. - SW-2: Revised Satilla to St. Mary's.
- Neither the cost guidance prepared by EPD in April 2011 ("GAEPD Cost Guidance") nor the cost estimates have been updated therefore EPD recommended cautioning the public.
- The Conservation Security Program (CSP) was not reauthorized in the 2008 Farm Bill and is no longer available. - The Agricultural Act of 2014 (Act) establishes the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and repeals the Farm and Ranch Lands Protection Program (FRPP). F24ACEP combines the purposes of FRPP and the similarly repealed Grassland Reserve Program (GRP) into the new Agricultural Land Easements (ALE) that protect the agricultural use and conservation values of eligible farm and ranch land. - Wetland Reserve Program: The Agricultural Act of 2014 establishes the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). It repeals FRPP, GRP, and WRP but does not affect the validity or terms of any FRPP, GRP, or WRP contract, agreement or easement entered into prior to the date of enactment on February 7, 2014 or any associated payments required to be made in connection with an existing FRPP, GRP, or WRP contract, agreement or easement. - Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program: The Agricultural Act of 2014 (enacted on February 7, 2014) repealed the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP). NRCS will continue to support existing active WHIP contracts entered into prior to passage of the Agricultural Act of 2014, using the rules and policy in effect at the time of contract obligations. Portions of the WHIP Statute were rolled into the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

Updated EPD & GSWCC subsections

- In 2016, the Ag metering program was moved out of GS&WCC and into EPD therefore the text was modified accordingly.

March 2017 - DRAFT

Suwannee Satilla A - 5

Section

Location

General updates completed throughout the plan

Change Updated references to "Upper Floridan" aquifer to read "Floridan" aquifer.
Removed references to the current State Water Plan or Council webpages (instead referring to availability on the Council's website of the Water Planning website).

Description - References to the "Upper Floridan" aquifer were updated to read "Floridan," to ensure consistency with terminology used by EPD in the 2013 Announcement regarding Future Withdrawals from the Floridan Aquifer and in other documents.
- EPD is currently working to build a new Regional Water Planning website. Once the new site is up, the former site will be taken down. Web links in the Regional Water Plan document will be updated once the new website is completed.

March 2017 - DRAFT

Suwannee Satilla A - 6

Printed on recycled paper