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1990 ANNUAL REPORT 
Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
 
 Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
A Message 
From the Commissioner 
Dear Georgians: 
Ours is a state of limitless opportunity and diverse natural beauty. As the final decade of this century 
begins, the state's citizens are perhaps more mindful than ever that the quality of life enjoyed in Georgia is largely dependent on the exceptional and abundant natural resources found here. 
Under the leadership of Governor Joe Frank Harris, the Department of Natural Resources has emphasized the effective conservation of these resources as crucial not only to continued economic prosperity, but also to the well being of every community and individual. During fiscal year 1 990, this emphasis resulted in many remarkable achievements. 
The Department maintained as its number-one priority the elimination of all toxic chemicals from the environment and made substantial gains toward this multi-faceted, complex goal. As the $30- 
million Wildlife Lands Acquisition program administered through the Game and Fish Division ended its second year, 59,97 1 acres of new public hunting and fishing lands had been added to the state, giving 
A Georgia sportsmen access to high quality outdoor recreation. comprehensive program to upgrade 
the quality of all State Parks and Historic Sites, and increase recreational opportunities, resulted in new attractions for the public. Meanwhile, state parks drew another record number of visitors, and continued playing a major role in developing Georgia's growing tourism industry. Coastal Resources 
programs were stepped up to further enhance the uniquely valuable resources of the coast. Special programs progressed toward developing reliable, longterm water supplies; protecting freshwater wetlands and natural communities; and restoring endangered or threatened species of wildlife. 
On behalf of the Board of Natural Resources, and DNR's staff. I am pleased to present this Annual Report of progress made through a host of programs that will help shape the best future possible for Georgia. To the Governor, members of the General Assembly, various citizen/conservation groups and the public, please accept my sincere appreciation for your continuing support of the Department's 
efforts to protect, manage and improve Georgia's irreplaceable natural, environmental and cultural 
resources. 
Sincerely, 
^y ^. "^ 
Joe D. Tanner Commissioner Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
 
 Contents 
 
2 Introduction 
4 Special Programs 8 Environmental Protection 
14 Game and Fish 
 
18 Parks, Recreation 
And Historic Sites 
22 Coastal Resources 
25 Fiscal Year 1990 Expenditures/Funding 
 
Zell Miller Governor 
Joe D. Tanner 
Commissioner 
The Board of 
Natural Resources 
James Griffin, Jr. Chairman, Member-at-Large 
Patricia C. Edwards 
Vice-Chairman, Third District 
C. Tom Griffith 
Secretary, Tenth District 
Dolan E. Brown, Jr. 
First District 
J. Leonard Eubanks Second District 
Linda S. Billingsley Fourth District 
E. R. Mitchell, Jr. 
Fifth District 
Felker W. Ward, Jr. 
Sixth District 
C. W. (Sonny) Jackson 
Seventh District 
Curtis Farrar Eighth District 
Donald J. Carter Ninth District 
Will D. (Billy) Herrin Coastal District 
James (Herb) Butler Member-at-Large 
Glenn E. Taylor Member-at-Large 
John Lanigan Member-at-Large 
 
 1 
 
Introduction 
 
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) was organized as an agency of state government in 1972. The Department is governed by a 15-member Board, appointed by the Governor and approved by the state Senate, to serve stag- 
gered, seven-year terms. A Board-appointed 
Commissioner is the Department' s Chief Executive. Major operating Divisions include Envi- 
ronmental Protection; Game and Fish; Parks, 
Recreation and Historic Sites; and Coastal Resources. Other special programs, administered through the Commissioner's Office, in- 
clude Georgia's Nongame Wildlife Program and Habitat Acquisition Fund; the Freshwater Wetlands and Heritage Inventory Program; 
and the Regional Reservoirs Program. The Department' s Vision is to guide and pro- 
mote the wise use ofthe state's rich and abundant 
natural, environmental, historic, archaeological 
and recreational resources,forpresent andfuture generations. The Department' s ongoing Mission is to carry out programs setforth in a Five- Year Strategy for Managing Natural and Environmental Resources. 
 
As fiscal year 1990 came to a close, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) made progress in implementing some of the most comprehensive environmental planning laws and programs ever undertaken in Georgia. The Department increased the number of toxics controlled in water by more than tenfold; initiated a milestone study on the ozone problem in metro Atlanta; and began enforce- 
ment of the state's new Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act, which gives commu- 
nities decisive guidelines for solving their solid 
waste disposal problems. As populations and land-use changes continued to impact wildlife, natural areas and the fragile ecology of the coast, 
DNR upgraded and broadened the scope of out- 
door recreation opportunities, and continued enhancement of coastal resources. These accom- 
plishments gave Georgians new opportunities for enjoyment at state parks and historic sites, new 
lands for public hunting and fishing, and improved recreational and commercial fisheries on 
the coast. 
Through special programs, DNR implemented 
planning efforts for the West Georgia Regional Reservoir, as authorized by the 1989 Water Supply Act; started up the new wetlands mapping project as funded by the 1989 Growth Strategies Planning Act; and successfully launched the state's first income tax checkoff, which raised over $300,000 to benefit nongame 
 
 wildlife. The Department's Personnel Office developed plans to enhance employee career development and to increase the participation of mi- 
norities and women in management roles throughout DNR; and the Change Management 
Employee Seminar training for DNR personnel, 
conducted statewide, was completed. During the fiscal year, the Board of Natural 
Resources approved the following Five- Year Strategy goals for the effective protection and management of Georgia's natural, environmental and cultural resources in the coming year: 
 
 Reduction or elimination of any source of 
 
chemicals in the environment to levels below 
 
established standards for air, surface water, 
groundwater and community water systems, and solid waste management facilities. 
 Operate, maintain and protect the natural 
 
and cultural resources of state parks, historic 
sites and natural areas at maximum efficiency 
commensurate with available funding, to meet guest demands for general and outdoor recre- 
 
ation. 
 
 Meet public needs for wildlife oriented rec- 
 
reation by staffing, developing and managing 
 
new wildlife management areas, public fishing 
 
MARSH areas and 
 
projects to include re- 
 
source protection, recreation, natural areas, 
 
archaeology and endangered species.  Manage Georgia's marine fisheries and 
 
coastal marshlands/estuaries consistent with 
 
existing laws and sound biological principles. 
 
 Provide career enhancement and staff de- 
velopment opportunities for all DNR employ- 
ees, especially minorities and women, to assure fairness in filling positions including manage- 
 
ment positions. 
 
 Provide various data bases to local govern- 
 
ments, Regional Development Centers and 
 
other agencies to improve statewide programs 
 
for effective land-use planning as authorized 
 
in the Comprehensive Planning Act. 
 
 Administer an effective state historic pres- 
 
ervation program according to the goals of the 
 
State Historic Preservation Plan, including 
 
implementation of the Georgia Register of 
 
Historic Places. 
 
As the Department seeks to achieve these goals 
 
with the leadership provided by the Governor and 
 
with the support of the General Assembly and the 
 
public, Georgia communities will be able to meet 
 
the challenges presented by robust growth, and 
 
while planning, take the steps necessary to con- 
 
DNR serve natural resources. 
 
remains committed 
 
to helping communities shape an excellent future 
for their own regions, and for the entire state. 
 
 DNR Special 
Programs 
 
DNR Types of wetlands being mapped by 
 
include (clockwise, from this 
 
page, bottom): tidal streams, cypress swamps and freshwater wetlands. 
 
Inset (opposite), the shoals spider lily. 
 
REGIONAL WATER SUPPLY RESERVOIRS PROGRAM 
 
The 1989 amendments to the Georgia Water Supply Act recognized that meeting drinking 
 
water needs for the state's growing population 
 
depends on the development of large-capacity, multi- 
 
jurisdictional regional water supply reservoirs.( 1 
The Act authorized DNR, during fiscal 1990, to begin 
 
studies toward developing needed regional reservoirs 
 
in a 44-county service area in north and north-central 
 
Georgia. 
 
The proposed service area contains the state's most 
 
populous, fastest growing communities, which have 
 
suffered the severest impacts from prolonged drought. 
 
Ultimately, regional reservoirs will supplement com- 
 
munity water systems that are inadequate to meet 
 
increasing water needs by providing long-term water 
 
supplies beyond the year 20 1 0. The number of regional 
 
reservoirs needed has not yet been determined. 
DNR prioritized development of the West Georgia 
 
Regional Reservoir, slated to be the first reservoir, 
 
during fiscal 1990. The 1989 General Assembly appro- 
 
priated funds to study, select a site and acquire land for 
 
the reservoir and a Regional Reservoir Program was 
 
DNR established within 
 
to accomplish this. The pro- 
 
gram managed numerous site selection contracts and 
 
managed environmental and engineering studies to 
 
complete a permit application, filed with the Savannah 
 
DNR District Corps of Engineers in June 1990. 
 
also 
 
completed a study dileneating the process for all future 
 
regional reservoirs, including a wetlands conservation 
 
plan, mitigation plan and environmental assessment. 
 
The study acknowledges the importance of local gov- 
 
ernment support and funding for future reservoirs. 
 
Completion of studies and construction of the reser- 
 
DNR voir will require time. 
 
is encouraging local 
 
governments within the 44-county service area to use 
 
aggressive water conservation measures, and address 
tenets of the 1990 Georgia Water Conservation Act. 
 
FRESHWATER WETLANDS & 
 
HERITAGE INVENTORY 
 
During the past year, DNR expanded programs of the 
 
Georgia Natural Heritage Inventory to include the 
 
inventory and protection of freshwater wetlands, re- 
 
sulting in a new program called the Freshwater 
 
Wetlands and Heritage Inventory Program (FWHI). 
 
DNR established the wetlands program in response to 
 
the 1989 Growth Strategies Planning Act. Part V of 
 
DNR the Act directed 
 
to establish minimum criteria for 
 
wetlands protection, for local governments to include 
 
 in land use planning. The FWHI program is developing 
a wetland data base to help local governments identify and protect wetlands and assess the effects of widespread land use changes that alter or destroy them. 
Wetlands Inventory. The inventory involves classifying and mapping approximately 12 land-cover types 
derived from LANDSAT Satellite imagery. This infor- 
mation will be incorporated into DNR's computer 
(GIS) files and dispersed through the Department of Community Affairs to the Regional Development Centers, municipal/county governments and other groups. 
The FWHI Program, with assistance from a private 
image processing contractor, is expected to complete the wetland inventory by July 1991. The Program will 
be assisted by DNR's Game and Fish and Coastal 
Resources Divisions as well as other agencies, in gathering samples and verifying land-cover classifications. Aerial photography, topographic maps, soil survey maps and other resource information are being used to develop the data base. 
Heritage Inventory. As part of an environmental assessment for the proposed West Georgia Regional 
Reservoir project, the FWHI Program conducted a rare 
plant and rare natural community survey and prepared a habitat characterization map of two alternative project areas. The habitat map will help assess loss of habitats associated with the project. The rare plant and significant natural community survey helped identify the reservoir's potential impacts on these rare natural re- 
sources. 
The FWHI Program mapped and described seven 
habitat types using low-altitude aerial photographs, 
soil surveys, field surveys and LANDSAT imagery. 
 
Thirteen rare plant populations representing six species were found in the study area, seven of which are 
within the proposed reservoir location. Two of these 
populations are state protected species. Eight significant natural communities were discovered, four of which would be directly impacted by the proposed reservoir. 
Program staff participated in status surveys for rare plants, including shoals spider lily (Hymenocalis coronaria), a species found in rocky shoals of major rivers and near Georgia's fall line. One site along the Broad River near Anthony Shoals has Georgia's only existing population of federally endangered dwarf sumac (Rhus michauxii). Because the land is owned by 
DNR the Corps of Engineers and managed, in part, by as the Broad River Wildlife Management Area ( WMA), 
protection efforts for the site are a top priority. Other rare plant searches verified historical plant sitings, and 
rediscovery of the showy "monkey face" orchid 
(Platanthera inlegrilabia) within Atlanta suburbs. Additional rare plant status surveys were initiated with 
a contractor who will work in southwest Georgia. Staff worked with the Cherokee Garden Club, an 
affiliate of The Garden Clubs of Georgia, Inc., in setting up an award-winning display on Georgia's endangered plants, for the April 1990 Atlanta Flower 
 
(I) Regional reservoirs are distinct from community reservoirs being developed by local governments. 
DNR proposes to build and operate the larger regional reservoir systems while communities develop their 
own local reservoirs, which jurisdictions may or may not elect to share. The Department assists 
communities in developing local reservoirs with technical advisement, which it will continue to provide. 
 
 Nongame programs during the year included (clockwise, from bottom): wildife rehabilitator workshops; wood stork surveys; and hacking of ospreys and golden eagles. 
 
Show. Staff completed a project with ITT Rayonier, 
 
Inc., to plot significant rare plant sites reported from or 
 
near company lands; field studies were begun to locate 
 
priority species in the field. 
 
Protection of significant natural areas on newly ac- 
 
WMA quired state lands, particularly Yuchi 
 
in Burke 
 
County, were begun. Recovery efforts for the green 
 
pitcherplant (Sarracenia oreophila) near Lake Chatuge 
 
were continued. Efforts to produce video material on 
 
rare plant conservation and identification were begun, 
 
and plans were made to complete a film on Protected 
 
Plants during fiscal year 1991. 
 
FWHI In other activities, the 
 
staff processed 153 
 
records of rare element occurrences, 1 1 managed area 
 
records and 112 source abstract records. Staff also 
 
responded to 560 information requests for Heritage 
 
data base information or site reviews and 132 state 
 
clearinghouse requests for environmental reviews. 
 
**-," J.C. Gayhartt, Wilderness Graphics 
 
THE NONGAME WILDLIFE PROGRAM 
 
Georgia's Nongame Wildlife Conservation Program and Habitat Acquisition Fund was enacted into 
law in 1985 by the General Assembly. Since 1986, 
DNR has focused a successful team effort on promot- 
ing public awareness of nongame, or nonhunted, plants and animals, and improving their odds for survival. During fiscal year 1990, the program saw the results of 
diligent efforts to raise public support. 
 
DNR and the Georgia Department of Revenue coop- 
erated in the first statewide Income Tax Checkoff donation program, for tax year 1 989. The effort raised over $300,000 to benefit nongame species in Georgia. 
According to the Department of Revenue, over 69,982 Georgians made voluntary contributions through the checkoff. The money, combined with other private donations totaling more than $631,265 through fiscal 1990, is funding a host of restoration programs, population status surveys and other research efforts designed to preserve nongame species, and the crucially important natural diversity that their populations repre- 
 
sent. 
 
In Georgia, approximately 3,600 plants and 875 ani- 
 
mals are classified as nongame. During the fiscal year, 
 
surveys determined the population status, and threats 
 
to, species including the wood stork in coastal forag- 
 
ing areas; bat populations in caves on the Crockford- 
Pigeon Mountain Wildlife Management Area (WMA); 
 
the gopher tortoises on state controlled lands; and the 
A alligator snapping turtle in the Flint River. year- 
 
long study examined nongame birds' usage of 
 
WMA gamebird food plots at Clarks Hill 
 
in northeast 
 
Georgia. The Nongame Program also administered, 
 
with federal funds, several projects, including bald eagle 
 
nesting surveys, additional wood stork studies, pro- 
 
grams for coastal endangered species like sea turtles 
 
and manatees, and in cooperation with the University 
 
 of Georgia's Insitute of Ecology, studies to determine 
the population status of the Conasauga logperch and the amber darter. 
Other accomplishments included the publication of educational pamphlets on Reptiles of Georgia, the 
Brown Thrasher, the Wood Stork, the Eastern Box 
Turtle, and the Kingsnake. In raptor projects, three peregrine falcons were hacked (raised and released) from the Georgia Power Co.'s urban hacking tower in downtown Atlanta; three peregrines were hacked from Mount Yonah in North Georgia; and four ospreys, nine bald eagles and 1 3 golden eagles were hacked at sites including Lakes West Point and Allatoona and at 
Crockford-Pigeon Mountain WMA. Other projects 
like wildlife rehabilitator workshops, nongame lectures, and nongame interpretive trails in state parks and on state Wildlife Management Areas helped educate the public concerning these valuable nongame species. As the year ended, the Nongame Program planned 35 nongame projects for fiscal 1991. 
 
CHANGE MANAGEMENT 
 
SEMINARS 
 
Seminars to promote staff involvement in DNR's 
 
Five-Year Strategy planning process progressed 
 
during fiscal year 1990 as Change Management 
 
training was completed statewide. At the end of the 
 
DNR fiscal year, 1 ,060 
 
staff members had participated 
 
in seminars encouraging them to take an active part in 
 
determining, and meeting, the Department's manage- 
 
ment objectives. 
 
Change Management training has now given em- 
ployees from all levels in every Division a chance to express their perspective, help evaluate current management actions and determine future management 
 
direction. Intended not only to get people involved, but 
also to improve communication throughout DNR, the seminars have encouraged management to keep staff 
 
Department of Revenue Commissioner Marcus Collins (center) and Director Donald Steele present DNR's Lonice C. Barrett with a check for proceeds from the first Nongame Wildlife Tax Checkoff, which raised over $300,000 to support nongame programs. 
informed about important issues. Through principles taught in the seminars, staff members from all Divisions report having successfully addressed problems related to personnel, office location and budget. 
DNR PERSONNEL SERVICES 
Personnel Services, for the first time, set definitive 
goals as part of DNR's Five-Year Strategy planning 
process that included enhancement of employee career development programs; and increasing participation of 
women and minorities in management throughout the Department. Among other major accomplishments, a 
highly specialized training program was designed and implemented for new handicapped employees in the Emergency Operations Center. Otherprogress included development of a disciplinary actions workshop, helping develop a training video for Change Management seminars and designing a data base management system for keeping track of employee training. 
Career development specialists in the office visited over 6,000 students at 45 high schools throughout Georgia and interviewed over 400 students at 43 colleges and universities throughout the Southeast. Career information was mailed to over 2,000 applicants for 
positions. 
 
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Environmental 
Protection 
 
During fiscal 
year 1990, EPD 
expanded its Emergency Response Team for better 
effectiveness during chemical emergencies; 
and reestablished its 
top goal of bringing levels of chemicals in 
the environment to levels below established 
standards. 
 
Toward meeting the number-one priority of 
eliminating toxic chemicals in Georgia's air, 
land and water, DNR's Environmental Protection Division (EPD) took major steps to further control 
toxics during the year. Progress included initiating the most detailed study on ozone undertaken in any U.S. city; screening over 300 industries' emissions of several hundred air toxics; and regulating an additional 
1 19 toxics in Georgia waters. EPD also began imple- 
menting Georgia's new Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act, which makes provisions for waste reduction, improved landfill operations and helping 
communities effectively plan for future disposal needs. Environmental Protection Division priorities set dur- 
ing fiscal year 1990 underscore DNR's ongoing com- 
mitment to eliminating toxics, meeting air quality ozone standards, controlling nonpoint water pollution and ensuring clean surface and groundwater supplies. These priorities include: 
 Reduction or elimination of any source of chemicals in the environment to levels below established standards for air, surface water, groundwater and community water systems, and solid waste management facilities. 
 Completion of a comprehensive control program for nonpoint sources of water pollu- 
tion. 
 Completion of a Comprehensive Ground- 
water Management Program to manage 
 
groundwater availability and protect and improve groundwater quality throughout Geor- 
gia. 
 Attaining the federal ozone air quality standard in the metropolitan Atlanta area. 
 Meeting the public's expectations for effective environmental monitoring, enforcement of environmental laws and pollution prevention. 
GRANTS AND LOANS 
EPD disbursed $7.5 million to Georgia communities 
during the fiscal year under the Environmental Facilities Grants Program, to fund the construction or im- 
provement of environmental facilities. One million was allocated to fund emergency water and sewer 
improvements; $1.85 million supported solid waste management projects; and $4.65 million funded water and sewer projects needed by communities to support 
new or expanding industries. Twenty of the 48 commu- 
nities that received water and sewer grants were also assisted with loans from the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA). The Division also administers a State Revolving Loan Fund to make lowinterest loans available for sewage treatment system improvements. During the fiscal year, approximately $30.3 million was disbursed to 10 city and county governments to fund such improvements. 
 
 AIR PROTECTION 
 
Georgia's air met all state and federal air quality standards during the year with the exception of the 
 
standard for ozone in the Atlanta metropolitan area. (See Fig. 1.) Ozone is a pollutant formed when volatile 
organic compounds ( VOCs) and oxides of nitrogen in air mix under certain weather conditions. Ozone-forming pollutants come from automobiles, industries and the burning of fuel. During the fiscal year, EPD began a special summer study in cooperation with U.S. EPA, which allows more sophisticated and detailed air measurements of ozone, VOCs and nitrogen oxides than 
 
are available in any city in the nation. 
 
Since 1979, over $790 million has been spent mostly 
 
VOC by industries to lower 
 
emissions in Atlanta's air. 
 
In the past decade, over 83,000 tons of VOCs per year 
 
have been eliminated in the metro area by increasingly 
 
stringent controls. Anticipated amendments to the 
 
Federal Clean Air Act are expected to further reduce 
 
ozone in major cities including Atlanta by requiring 
 
cleaner emission systems in automobiles. 
 
The state's Vehicle Inspection and Maintenance 
 
Program is operated by the Georgia Department of 
 
Public Safety (DPS). EPD, which licenses emission 
 
testing stations, works with DPS to monitor the data 
 
from emissions testing during the year, to detect unusu- 
 
EPD ally high or low failure rates. 
 
reported the results 
 
to licensed testing stations for necessary follow-up 
 
action, and distributed other reports to assist in main- 
 
taining consistency among all inspection stations in the 
 
program. 
 
The emissions program detected vehicle exhaust fail- 
ures at a rate of 9.5 percent of the 1,109,607 vehicles tested in the Atlanta area during fiscal year 1990. 
Newer vehicles with better emission controls account 
for a drop in the failure rate (previously 13 percent). 
Emission Inventories. EPD completed an inventory 
of volatile organic compounds, carbon monoxide and oxides of nitrogen in an 18-county area around metro Atlanta, plus 25 miles farther out for major industries, for the year 1987, using the latest methods from U.S. EPA. The inventory will be used as future state regulations are developed for ozone control. 
Air Toxics. EPD continued to inventory compounds released to Georgia's air under the Federal Commu- 
nity Right-to-Know Act. Program personnel evaluated the toxicity of air emissions from 306 new or newly-expanded industrial operations using the air 
permit process. Many of those facilities were permitted 
using controls to reduce air toxics and other air emissions. (Upcoming amendments to the Federal Clean 
Air Act are expected to include a new section on toxic 
emissions control.) Reduction of Sulfur Gases. All kraft pulp mills in 
Georgia affected by new state Air Quality Control Rules requiring them to reduce sulfur gases have sub- 
mitted plans for odor-reducing equipment installa- 
tions. EPD began evaluating these plans during the 
fiscal year, and issued permits for reduced sulfur emissions. The odor-control technology plants are required to install will also eliminate 80 to 90 percent of methanol and acetone (air toxics) emitted. In 1988, these two 
 
Figure 1. Ozone Nonattainment Area 
 
gases from pulp mills accounted for 46 percent of all air 
A toxics released in Georgia. substantial reduction in 
air toxic releases will be an added benefit. Quarry Permits. In response to increasing public 
concern over dust from crushed stone quarries, EPD 
required existing quarries to install air sampling equipment on their properties. The requirement began with 
20 of the largest quarries. EPD now requires air sam- 
pling for all new quarries and current air sampling around new quarries indicates all air quality standards 
are being met. Acid Rain. Air sampling for acid rain continued 
during the year through a statewide testing network. No 
significant change has occurred in the annual average 
acidity of rainfall in Georgia which remains at a pH level of approximately 4.6, only slightly more acidic than unpolluted rainfall, which ranges from a pH of 4.8 
to 5.6. 
 
Air throughout Georgia meets all 
state and federal 
quality standards; however, the metro Atlanta area outlined above remains in violation of ozone standards for 
a number of days 
each year. 
 
WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 
Water Supply. EPD provided technical advisement 
and leadership for city and county efforts to develop community water supply reservoirs during fiscal year 1990. These are financed, built and operated by local governments. Community reservoirs will provide water for present and future needs, support growth and protect against the damaging effects of drought. During the year, 22 community reservoir projects were underway in Georgia. Of these, two were completed, two were under construction, three were in the design or land-purchase phases, and seven were being re- 
viewed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Site 
selection studies were in progress for the other eight community reservoirs. 
During fiscal year 1990, EPD provided considerable 
information and technical assistance to local governments, Regional Development Centers, the Corps of 
 
 1 
 
EPD routinely monitors stream samples from throughout the state to 
determine water quality. Here, a test for a sample's organic makeup. 
 
Engineers and other groups concerning the proposed 
 
reallocation of Lake Lanier. The proposed plan would 
 
reserve a portion of the current hydropower storage 
 
capacity of the lake for drinking water to supply the 
 
needs of metropolitan Atlanta through the year 2010. 
 
The project is being delayed by a lawsuit initiated by 
 
Alabama state government. 
 
Agricultural water withdrawal permitting pro- 
ceeded rapidly during the year as EPD issued approxiA mately 2,500 permits to farmers. total of 4,500 have been permitted since 1988. EPD expects to issue ap- 
 
proximately 5,000 more permits over the next year, and 
 
ultimately a total of 12,000 to Georgia farmers. Most 
 
permits have been issued to farmers in southwest 
 
Georgia. (See Fig. 2.) 
Disaster Assistance. EPD provided disaster relief in 
 
conjunction with the federal and Georgia Emergency 
Management (FEMA/GEMA) agencies when Presi- 
 
dent Bush declared portions of Georgia flood and 
 
EPD tornado disaster areas in winter, 1 990. 
 
distributed 
 
$3.2 million in federal grant monies during the fiscal 
 
year to 1 ,506 applicants in 38 counties throughout the 
areas; and made low interest loans available to other 
 
qualifying applicants. 
 
Floodplain Management. In ongoing efforts to re- 
 
duce flood damage in Georgia, the Floodplain Man- 
 
agement Unit distributed over 3,100 flood maps, vis- 
 
ited 43 communities, reviewed 662 development 
 
projects and answered approximately 1,100 technical 
 
assistance requests. The unit also presented and assisted with eight workshops promoting flood damage 
 
reduction during the year. 
Safe Dams Program. EPD's Safe Dams Program 
 
performed 287 annual inspections of high hazard dams throughout the state to reduce the risk of dam failures. 
 
The program also reviewed 43 sets of engineering 
 
reports, construction plans and specifications for pro- 
 
posed new dams and proposed repairs to existing dams. 
 
Flood routings were modeled for 56 dams to simulate 
 
10 
 
the danger that potentially exists if any fail, and to enable staff to properly categorize the dams. 
Under 1990 amendments to the Georgia Safe Dams 
Act, local governments must notify owners of nonregulated dams when proposed developments downstream may require that the dam be reclassified as one that, in the event of failure, could endanger people. 
When a dam is reclassified because development has occurred downstream, it then becomes a regulated dam 
and must comply with more stringent construction/ 
operation regulations. 
 
WATER PROTECTION 
 
State and federal water quality laws have resulted in enormous progress since 1965 in cleaning up waters polluted by inadequately treated wastewater. In fiscal 
year 1 990, Georgia's Clean Water Strategy continued 
the clean-up of rivers, streams and lakes while improvements to Georgia's water quality standards were adopted into rules. These included provisions for: 
 Stricter standards for levels of toxic pollutants to protect fish and aquatic wildlife. Reduction of toxic pollutants will also aid in 
reducing any potential cancer risk for humans who eat fish from Georgia's streams and wa- 
terways.  Adoption of revised acceptable bacteria 
levels for streams designated for fishing and used as recreational, or swimming, waters by 
 
the public. 
 Environmental assessments and public participation requirements for new or upgraded municipal wastewater treatment fa- 
 
cilities. 
 Emergency action rules for a major sewage spill from a municipal wastewater treatment 
 
facility. 
The Clean Water Strategy also addressed specific 
objectives during fiscal year 1990 to improve water quality in Georgia. These included: 
 Encouragement of water reuse projects. Several projects in the state now use treated wastewater for irrigation of golf courses, athletic fields and general 
landscaping. 
 Imposition of a December 31, 1991 deadline for wastewater dischargers to the Chattahoochee River 
between Buford Dam and Lake West Point, to reduce 
discharges of phosphorous by about 85 percent, in 
 
order to slow the rate of stagnation in the lake. 
 
Toxic Pollutants. During the fiscal year the Board of 
 
Natural Resources increased from 13 to 132 the num- 
 
ber of toxic water pollutants regulated in Georgia 
 
EPD waters. 
 
initiated control strategies and permitting 
 
for toxic pollutant dischargers including 40 industries 
 
and nine municipal facilities. The permits require im- 
 
proved wastewater treatment, to meet the revised water 
 
quality standards. 
 
The State Revolving Loan Fund, which makes low- 
interest loans available to communities to upgrade municipal wastewater treatment facilities, provided 
 
 over $30 million in assistance during fiscal year 1 990. With loans, communities increase the capacity of their 
 
treatment systems to support growth and eliminate 
 
potential health hazards. Loans totaling almost $87 million have been made to 33 communities since the 
 
program's 1988 inception. Federal funds will capitalize the program through 1994, when it will become 
 
self-perpetuating through repayments of current loans. 
To date, the state has contributed over $17 million in 
 
20-percent matching funds to receive the federal funds 
 
for wastewater system upgrades. Municipal Wastewater Treatment Improvements. 
 
By 1990, all but three of the state's 539 municipal 
 
wastewater treatment facilities had completed con- 
 
struction necessary to achieve full compliance with all water quality requirements of the Federal Clean Water 
Act. Great progress has been made in the past five years. As recently as 1985, 1 12 municipal facilities still failed to meet the required standards. The three remain- 
 
ing facilities are scheduled to complete upgrades in 
 
early 1991. Georgia's overall compliance rate of 93.9 
 
percent for municipal wastewater treatment plant op- 
 
eration is well ahead of the national compliance rate of 
 
DNR 79.9 percent. During fiscal year 1990, 
 
issued 58 
 
consent orders to local governments, collecting 
 
$137,000 in negotiated settlements for failure to meet 
 
adequate wastewater treatment standards. 
EPD began a Municipal Water Pollution Prevention Program (MWPP) during the fiscal year to assist 
 
in keeping wastewater treatment plants in compliance 
 
with permitted limits on pollutants. The program iden- 
 
tifies problem areas at treatment facilities and offers 
 
guidance before noncompliance problems occur. The 
MWPP program is intended to reduce the need for 
enforcement actions by EPD, while protecting the 
 
investment in municipal wastewater treatment system improvements and safeguarding water quality in gen- 
 
eral. 
 
Clean Lakes Program. During fiscal year 1990, the General Assembly passed legislation (Senate Bill 7 1 4), 
mandating that EPD conduct comprehensive studies of 
publicly owned lakes covering over 1,000 acres. The 
 
state must also develop water quality standards for pH, 
 
fecal coliform bacteria, chlorophyll a. total nitrogen, 
 
total phosphorous and dissolved oxygen. Comprehensive studies of Lakes Lanier, Walter F. George and West Point were initated during 1990 and studies of 
 
three additional lakes will be initiated in each subse- 
 
quent year, provided funds are available. Although the 
legislature provided no funding for 1990, EPD has 
received funds through the U.S. EPA. 
 
Nonpoint Sources of Water Pollution. The Federal Clean Water Act of 1987 required states to assess 
nonpoint (non-stationary) sources of water pollution and develop a plan to address nonpoint pollution prob- 
lems. During the fiscal year, the U.S. EPA approved Georgia's Nonpoint Assessment Report and Management Plan and awarded EPD a federal grant to support its implementation. EPD is working with the 
Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission to identify and clean up problem animal waste lagoons from agricultural operations; and is also working with the Georgia Forestry Commission to evaluate the ef- 
 
692 Southeast 
255 Central 
Figure 2. Agriculture Withdrawal Permits 
Issued Through Fiscal Year 1990. 
 
EPD's broad 
responsibilities include the allocation 
of Georgia's water supplies and maintenance 
of programs to protect surface and groundwaters. 
Issuing water withdrawal permits to farmers (top) 
and monitoring groundwater 
quality (right) through a statewide network are 
important facets of these vital efforts. 
 
fectiveness of forestry management practices to curb erosion and siltation of streams. 
The Community Stream Management Task Force 
completed a report on ways to effectively monitor and enhance urban streams. The report emphasizes the roles of various levels of government and individuals in stream protection. The task force, with local governments, develops local monitoring programs to keep urban streams clean. 
LAND PROTECTION 
Solid Waste Management. Georgia residents and 
businesses produce over 13,500 tons of solid waste daily. Because 70 percent of the state's existing landfills will reach their permitted capacity within two 
years, EPD has actively promoted cooperation be- 
tween local and state governments, private enterprise and the public, to solve the state's solid waste dilemma. 
While continuing enforcement efforts to make sure communities and individuals comply with environmental laws regulating sanitary landfills, EPD's Land Protection staff promoted alternatives to landfill disposal by giving slide shows and distributing educational materials on waste reduction and re-use and home and community recycling. These alternatives to disposal are already being implemented in numerous communities and will be vital for all communities in the future. Though sanitary landfilling will continue as 
 
Figure 3. Groundwater Monitoring Network Well Locations 
11 
 
 OneofEPD's 
newer programs 
is the regulation 
of Underground Storage Tanks (top). 
A new state solid 
waste management law was passed in 1990, which makes major new provisions to help communities promote recycling and waste reduction 
(see box, right). 
 
New Provisions For 
Solid Waste Management 
The General Assembly's 1990 passage of the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act will widely impact future management of solid waste in Georgia. Important provisions of the new law include: 
 A statewide per capita) goal of a 25 percent ( 
reduction in solid waste disposed of at landfills or incinerators by July 1, 1996. 
 State certified operators of landfills and incinerators by July 1, 1992. 
 A ban on disposal of lead acid batteries in 
landfills by January 1, 1991. 
 Development of a State Solid Waste Management Plan by January 1, 1991. 
 Development of local comprehensive solid waste management plans to assure adequate solid waste handling for a 10-year period by 
July 1, 1992.  Implementation of a negotiation process 
for resolution of nonenvironmental conflicts regarding siting of new disposal facilities. 
 Establishment of a Recycling Market Development Council that will focus attention on the development of markets for recovered ma- 
terials. 
 
a necessary means of disposal for certain wastes, citizens increasingly oppose the siting of landfills, and 
costs to operate landfills continue to rise. 
New solid waste management rules adopted by the 
Board of Natural Resources in 1989 were intended to improve landfill operations. These include requirements for liners and leachate collection systems at 
12 
 
designated landfills; groundwater monitoring; stricter methane gas control; and proper closure and post closure requirements. 
During fiscal year 1990, EPD approved additional 
capacity for 38 sanitary landfills. The modifications included groundwater monitoring at landfills which were not previously equipped with groundwater moni- 
toring wells. 
Hazardous Waste Management. EPD completed a 
seven year effort to bring all the state's hazardous waste treatment, storage and disposal facilities under final permits as mandated by state and federal law. Hence, Georgia became the first state in the nation to issue or deny hazardous waste permits to all its facilities, issuing 81 permits and denying seven. Through these permits, existing disposal of hazardous waste in Georgia was curtailed and releases from prior disposal sites are being monitored and cleaned up. Facilities that operate storage or treatment units must comply with strict permit conditions for operation. 
As required by federal law, Georgia submitted a hazardous waste Capacity Assurance Plan (CAP) to the U.S. EPA, describing current hazardous waste generation, treatment, storage and disposal in the state and projecting hazardous waste management capacity over the next 20 years. The plan also outlines future hazardous waste management needs. Generating ap- 
proximately eight million tons of hazardous waste in 1989, Georgia industries neutralized and rendered nonhazardous on-site all but 93,000 tons, which was transported to other states for proper disposal. Numer- 
ous industries have recently made substantial, perma- 
nent reductions in the hazardous waste they produce by changing plant operations. Source reduction measures like these remain the best solution for hazardous waste. 
 
Erosion and Sedimentation Control. Sediment, 
 
from erosion caused by land disturbing activities, is a 
 
significant pollutant of surface waters in Georgia. 
 
Sedimentation increases flooding, displaces capacity 
 
in water supply reservoirs, boosts the costs of water 
 
treatment and can destroy recreational facilities. It 
 
ruins habitat for fish, while disturbing the ecological 
 
balance of streams and aiding the transport of pollut- 
 
ants. The Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act, 
 
strengthened by 1989 amendments, regulates certain 
 
development and construction activities. DNR's com- 
 
prehensive control program for nonpoint sources of 
 
water pollution includes control of erosion and sedi- 
 
mentation. 
 
Six statewide orientation meetings were held and five 
 
seminars conducted by local districts. Approximately 
 
200 people were trained through Southern Tech's short 
courses on erosion and sedimentation control. EPD has 
 
certified 1 16 out of 159 counties (73 percent) and 212 
 
out of 537 active municipal governments (40 percent) 
 
as local permitting authorities for land disturbing ac- 
 
EPD tivities. 
 
notified certified local governments to 
 
update their ordinances to comply with 1989 amend- 
 
ments. 
Surface Mining. EPD regulates over 490 surface 
 
mining operations, including 78 crushed stone quar- 
 
ries, 64 instream sand dredging operations and 151 
 
 kaolin operations under the Georgia Surface Mining Act during the year. The Act provides for environmental protection during site development and operation and for timely reclamation of all disturbed lands. Regulation of these operations includes nonpoint pollution source control for water protection. 
EPD's permitting of crushed stone quarries remained the most controversial issue regarding surface mines, 
as the rock suitable for crushed stone aggregate is found only in certain locations and must be mined 
where it occurs. The search for sites to establish quarries for this mineral has spread into urban areas, and developing rural areas, where citizens usually oppose 
quarries. EPD has developed the most stringent air 
quality standards and monitoring requirements for crushed stone quarry operations in the nation. 
Underground Storage Tank Regulation. Georgia's 
15,000 underground storage tank facilities possess about 50,000 tanks. Under authority of the amended 
1 988 Georgia Underground Storage Tank Act, DNR 
promulgated rules regulating underground petroleum storage tanks (UST's). The program established standards for new and existing tanks and corrective requirements to clean up tanks that leak. 
The state's program also provides UST owner/opera- 
tors with a state-funded trust fund to partially cover their liabilities in the event of leakage, as required by law. Capitalized by a voluntary one-tenth cent per gallon fee on products stored in tanks, the trust fund is 
growing at a rate of about $4 million each year. As of fiscal year 1990, the fund's principal was $7.5 million. 
DNR has begun plans to provide state contractors who 
would investigate and rlean up releases for trust fund 
participants. 
During the fiscal year, 501 tank leaks were reported to EPD. To date, over 1,030 releases have been reported and site investigation and clean up have been 
voluntarily begun at 591 sites. Of these, 52 have com- 
pleted corrective actions. 
GEOLOGIC SURVEY 
DNR's Geologic Survey published 12 reports on 
technical investigations of Georgia's geologic, mineral and water resources during the fiscal year. Information on groundwaterquality and availability was monitored 
statewide through the Groundwater Management Program network (Figure 3). Georgia's comprehensive computer Geographic Information System (GIS) emphasized preparing maps showing areas poorly suited for siting landfills, and on pollution susceptibility maps, and was expanded to include 38 data bases. 
The Survey assisted nine communities in siting water supply wells. Of the 42 well sites selected, only three communities drilled wells. The wells averaged yields of 90 gallons per minute with ranges of 22 to 172 gallons per minute. Computer modeling of coastal plain aquifers continued, and the model developed for the Floridan aquifer was used to predict the impact of withdrawals on groundwater levels. 
To enhance surface mining, the Geologic survey investigated minerals that may have significant economic value in Georgia, including gold, phosphate, 
 
Tlie Geologic Survey conducts vibracoring on Georgia's coast to search for heavy mineral-bearing sands. 
sulfides, iron ore, high magnesium carbonates, construction sand and heavy mineral bearing sands. During the end of the fiscal year, the Geologic Survey completed vibracoring along Georgia's coast for heavy 
mineral bearing sands. 
EPD completed 2,207 feet of drilling at 1 1 sites in the 
state, as well as five monitoring wells in conjunction 
with hydrologic or geologic investigations. EPD also 
oversaw the regulation of water well drillers (208 are licensed in Georgia), completed 45 water well inspections and issued permits for six oil and gas exploration tests. Geologic Survey investigations were featured in 23 professional meeting presentations, through responses to about 3,000 information requests and through four public awareness booths at regional exhibitions. 
PROGRAM COORDINATION 
Under requirements of the Federal Emergency Response and Community Right-to-Know Act (Title III of the Superfund Law), all industries handling toxic substances in Georgia must notify state and local authorities of these chemicals and must also prepare emergency response plans to protect the public from hazardous substance releases. Over 3,000 industries have filed these notifications with the Environmental Protection Division to date. Industries must also file annual chemical inventory updates and report releases of toxic chemicals that occur during manufacturing. This information was made public during the 
fiscal year as EPD published the second annual Toxic 
Release Inventory Report covering toxic substance releases during 1988. According to the reports, total toxic chemical releases in Georgia decreased by nearly 18 million pounds when compared to 1987 figures. 
DNR's Emergency Operations Center received more than 3,000 spill notifications during the fiscal year, over 300 of which required that DNR's Emergency Response Team respond to the field. EPD met a major goal during the fiscal year as the Emergency Response Team was expanded for better effectiveness 
during chemical emergencies. Five full-time professionals were added to the team and given training to direct operations and prepare enforcement actions. The 
new full-time team was fully active by December 1 990. 
 
13 
 
 -J 
 
Game and Fish Karen Lawrence 
 
From left: Georgia's 
population of wild 
turkeys now exceeds 325,000 birds; and 
13,000 Canada geese now reside here, as 
the result of successful 
DNR stocking programs. 
 
While fulfilling its obligation under law to 
manage, protect and promote the wise use of 
all Georgia's fish and wildlife, the Game and Fish Division made great strides during the fiscal year 
in acquiring lands for wildlife management to increase 
opportunities for public hunting and fishing. As the 
 
Division completed its second major year of wildlife 
 
land acquisitions in fiscal 1990, an additional 29,514 acres of lands were brought under state ownership, giving Georgia a total of 144,612 acres of public hunting and fishing areas. Meanwhile, as a result of 
 
diligent efforts to upgrade the effectiveness of conser- 
vation law enforcement, DNR's conservation officers 
 
took another important step toward national accredita- 
tion by the Commission on Accreditation for Law 
 
Enforcement Agencies. The state's abundant freshwater fish, wildlife and 
native plants are irreplaceable resources that enhance the quality of life for all Georgians. Wise management 
 
of these resources has been especially critical in recent 
 
-- years 
 
widespread land use changes remain the 
 
biggest threat to fish and wildlife, and their habitats. To 
 
effectively improve these resources as land use changes 
 
continue, and to increase related recreation, during 
fiscal year 1990 the Game and Fish Division set the following goals under DNR's Five-Year Strategy: 
 Meet public needs for wildlife-oriented 
 
recreation by continuing to acquire and develop lands for wildlife management and rec- 
 
reation. 
 
 Protect wildlife and fisheries by improving 
 
the effectiveness, efficiency and professional 
 
status of conservation law enforcement. 
 
 Meet public needs to enjoy Georgia's fresh- 
 
water fisheries by expanding their protection 
 
and development. 
 
 Meet public needs to enjoy Georgia's wildlife resources by more effective use of information to manage wildlife and protected plants. 
 Manage the Sapelo Island National Estua- 
 
rine Research Reserve to encourage further 
 
14 
 
scientific research and to offer added educational and interpretive programs to interested 
citizens. 
LAND ACQUISITIONS 
After Governor Harris and the General Assembly approved two $15-million issues of general obligation bonds in 1988 and 1989, the Department established a Land Acquisition Program, which is one of the most 
DNR active in the Southeast. During fiscal year 1990 
acquired five parcels totalling 29,514 acres at a purchase price of $12.57 million (see Table 1). These acquisitions brought to 56,708 acres the total lands purchased during fiscal years 1 989 and 1 990 to provide 
wildlife management areas (WMAs), public fishing 
areas (PFAs) and small-game and field-trial areas. Acquiring wildlife lands is vital for sportsmen, the 
economy and wildlife. Public hunting and fishing opportunities have declined since the mid- 1 970s as many landowners who once leased lands to the state for public hunting have begun leasing them to private hunting clubs for higher fees. Land use changes have steadily reduced forestland in Georgia by more than 1 .2 million acres since 1972, taking valuable habitat away from wildlife. Acquisition of wildlife management lands offsets these trends and also ensures that Georgia sportsmen, who spend about $1.4 billion yearly on hunting and fishing, have access to public hunting and fishing areas. Activities such as camping, birding, wildlife observation and outdoor photography are also 
popular on WMAs, and add approximately $450 mil- 
lion to the economy annually. Lands were purchased based on their suitability to 
produce wildlife, their proximity to population centers and their desirable qualities as unique natural habitats 
-- many properties include river frontage, beaver ponds, 
oxbow lakes and other types of wetlands. The $30 million in 1988-89 bond funds has allowed 
DNR to purchase land while prices and interest rates 
are low, and a 1987 increase in hunting and fishing license fees will repay the bonds over a 20-year term. 
 
 WMAs Timber harvesting takes place on 
 
to promote 
 
forest health and on some lands, together with revenues 
 
left after debt payments, to cover the costs of managing 
 
the sites. Management activities including unpaved 
 
road development and planting food plots will increase 
 
as the timber matures and produces greater revenues. 
 
GAME MANAGEMENT 
 
Almost 66 percent of Georgians enjoy wildlife-re- 
 
lated recreation including hunting and fishing. To 
 
DNR provide them with recreation areas, 
 
operates 65 
 
WMAs on more than one million acres of land. Large 
 
and small game hunters, fishermen, birders, wildlife 
 
photographers, campers and other wildlife enthusiasts 
 
increasingly use these areas. Hunters now number half 
 
a million in Georgia. In fiscal 1990, more than 65,000 
deer hunters used state-managed WMAs, an increase 
 
of 13 percent over fiscal year 1989. 
 
DNR Deer. During fiscal year 1990, 
 
encouraged the 
 
-- harvest of more does the most effective method of 
 
controlling the size of Georgia's deer herd, which 
 
reached an all time high of 1.25 million during the 
 
1988-89 season. Increased either-sex hunting days 
 
produced a harvest of 1 32,000 does, or 4 1 percent of the 
 
323,000 deer taken during the 1989-90 season. The 
 
greatest number of does were harvested in the upper 
 
coastal plain and piedmont regions, where residents 
 
report the most deer-damage incidents in the state. 
 
Deer hunting in Georgia generates about $346 mil- 
 
lion yearly. DNR's goal is to maintain a large enough 
 
herd for recreational purposes, while controlling deer 
 
populations through adequate harvests. Hunter partici- 
 
pation remains the most effective means of herd man- 
 
agement. 
 
Wild Turkeys and Canada Geese. During fiscal year 
 
DNR 1 990 
 
released 207 wild turkeys on 2 1 sites as part 
 
of a successful 20-year stocking program. Georgia's 
 
wild turkey population now exceeds 325,000 birds and 
DNR the stocking program is being brought to a close. 
 
has scheduled spring gobbler seasons in 138 counties 
 
for 1991. 
 
Since 1978, DNR's Canada goose restoration pro- 
 
Wliite-tail deer harvested in the '89-90 season totaled 320,000, including 132,000 does, reflecting 
good hunter 
participation in herd control 
efforts. 
 
Table I. Land Acquisitions (Fiscal Year 1990) 
 
Tract Name/County 
 
Acreage 
 
Ocmulgee WMA/Pulaski 
 
5,837 
 
Miller County WMA/Miller 
 
4,681 
 
Screven County WMA/Screven 10,950 
 
Tattnall County WMA/Tattnall Johns Mountain WMA/Floyd 
 
5,566 2,480 
 
Patrick's PFA/Berrien 
TOTAL ACREAGE 
 
1,060 30,214 
 
Type 
WMA/PFA 
WMA WMA WMA WMA 
PFA 
 
gram has stocked 13,000 birds in Georgia, and the resident population is now over 20,000. The first goose- 
 
hunting season was held in January 1990 at six loca- 
 
tions. Hunters took 276 geese during this limited sea- 
son. Two four-day seasons were slated for January 
 
1991. 
 
Alligators. Alligators have become so plentiful in 
 
Georgia that they have been removed from the endan- 
 
gered species list and have, in certain places, become a 
 
DNR nuisance. During fiscal 1990, 
 
authorized alliga- 
 
tor agent-trappers to take 313 nuisance alligators. 
Nongame Wildlife. Staff of the Game Management 
 
Section played a role in DNR's Nongame Wildlife 
 
Program (see Special Programs, page 4). Activities 
 
15 
 
 Anglers enjoy a North Georgia trout stream. 
DNR raised and stocked 
about 300,000 catchable trout into trout streams during fiscal year 1990. 
 
included rearing and releasing bald eagles, golden 
 
eagles, peregrine falcons and ospreys; surveying vari- 
 
ous nongame species; and developing a number of 
 
DNR educational brochures. 
 
also built a nongame 
 
WMA wildlife office on Rum Creek 
 
with the coopera- 
 
tion and support of Georgia Power Company, which 
 
owns the land. 
 
Waterfowl Conservation. The Department has built 
 
six waterfowl impoundments and other habitat im- 
 
provements by matching state funds with monies from 
the Matching Aid to Restore States' Habitat (MARSH) 
program operated by Ducks Unlimited. During fiscal 
year 1990, Game Management completed and dedi- 
 
cated major waterfowl projects at the Altamaha, Blanton 
Creek and Grand Bay WMAs and began or continued 
projects on five more WMAs. 
 
Wildlife Surveys and Technical Services. DNR 
 
continued surveying all major wildlife species to detect and solve specific wildlife management problems and 
 
to develop a scientific basis for hunting season recommendations. The Section helped landowners manage 
 
properties to enhance wildlife populations and resolve wildlife nuisance problems. The Section also prepared a wildlife impact assessment for the proposed West 
 
Georgia regional reservoir. 
DNR foresters managed woodlands on WMAs, PFAs 
 
and state parks during the fiscal year. Selective timber 
 
management improved wildlife habitat and forest health, 
 
WMA and timber revenues helped fund 
 
operating 
 
costs. 
 
16 
 
FRESHWATER FISHERIES 
 
Public Fishing Lakes. The Department continued 
 
the development of public fishing lakes in fiscal year 
 
1990. The Section acquired, for $1.5 million, a 1,060acre Berrien County site with over 80 man made lakes 
 
and an extensive canal system. The site, eight miles 
 
east of Tifton and 10 miles east of Interstate 75, 
 
includes ten larger lakes (about 350 acres) which will 
 
be managed for public fishing. The smaller ponds will 
 
host special events, such as fishing rodeos for children, 
 
and will serve as wintering areas for waterfowl. 
DNR must improve fish populations in all the lakes 
 
before they can support public fishing. The first lake 
 
opened to public fishing in September 1990. Addi- 
 
tional lakes will be opened to the public as renovation 
 
continues. It is anticipated that renovating the entire 
 
facility will take several years. 
DNR awarded a contract to build a public fishing lake 
 
in Dodge County at a cost of $1.2 million. This 100- 
 
acre lake will be completed in fiscal 1991. Fisheries 
 
Management will have the lake ready for public fishing 
 
by July 1993. 
 
Striped-Bass Activities. Native striped-bass popu- 
 
lations have steadily declined in several areas of Geor- 
 
gia. The Fisheries Section has identified 29 thermal 
 
refuges on Georgia rivers which stripers are known or 
 
believed to use and has provided this information to 
DNR's Environmental Protection Division (EPD). The 
 
refuges are springs that maintain cool summer temperatures and help adult striped bass survive the warm 
water temperatures. EPD will help protect these ref- 
 
uges by placing restrictions on permits for water with- 
 
drawals. 
 
The Department also studied the decline of the Sa- 
 
vannah River striped-bass population and began ex- 
 
ploring methods to reverse this trend. In fiscal year 
 
DNR 1990, 
 
signed a five-year contract with the Uni- 
 
versity of Georgia's Cooperative Fisheries Unit to 
 
investigate the problem. The Department and the U.S. 
 
Fish and Wildlife Service produced, tagged and stocked 
 
into the Savannah River over 1 00,000 two-inch striped 
 
bass. Another 10,000 large fingerlings (six or more 
 
inches long) were tagged and stocked in fall 1990. The 
 
Cooperative Fisheries Unit will evaluate these stock- 
 
ings. 
 
License Sales Trends. Despite a growing population 
 
in Georgia and DNR's efforts to meet public needs for 
 
recreational fishing, license sales have declined in 
recent years (Figure 1). This concerns DNR, and 
 
Fisheries Management will look into the possible causes, 
 
DNR beginning in fiscal 1991. 
 
has already created an 
 
aquatic education program which promotes children's 
 
fishing and increases public awareness of Georgia's 
 
aquatic resources. Research into the decline in license 
 
sales will help guide aquatic education and other pro- 
 
grams to meet Georgia's needs. 
 
DNR Fish Stocking. 
 
produced more than 5.3 million 
 
fish at its seven warmwater hatcheries, and stocked 
 
DNR them into more than 2,800 private ponds. 
 
contin- 
 
ued to sample fish populations in Georgia's major reservoirs and streams, and completed two new public 
 
boat ramps, one on the Satilla River in Atkinson County 
 
 Resident Combination and 
Fishing License Sales 
 
Fishing License Sales 1977-1990 
Figure 1. 
 
Georgia Population 
7,000,000 
 
YEAR '77 
 
and another on the Little River in McDuffie County. 
 
DNR During fiscal 1990, 
 
raised and stocked about 
 
800,000 catchable trout into trout streams, in addition 
 
to more than 360,000 catchable trout which the U.S. 
 
Fish and Wildlife Service raised. Georgia's popular 
 
reservoir fisheries for striped bass and hybrid striped 
 
bass received over 900,000 Atlantic-strain striped bass 
 
and over two million hybrids from stocking during 
 
fiscal 1990. The Section's research program also 
 
continued to identify management needs, assess fish 
 
populations, and evaluate ongoing programs state- 
 
wide. 
 
LAW ENFORCEMENT 
 
During fiscal 1990, the Department continued to 
 
improve the effectiveness and professional status of 
 
conservation rangers. These officers enforce laws 
 
regulating native game and nongame animals and fish, 
 
non-native animals, protected plants, boating safety, 
 
and mandatory hunter safety. They also support other 
 
law enforcement agencies on request. Hundreds of 
 
citizen volunteers assist the Section's activities. They 
 
include hunter-safety instructors and members of the 
 
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadron. 
 
Training. All law enforcement officers received in- 
 
service training during fiscal 1990. This training is 
 
required to maintain law enforcement certification for 
 
the conservation officers. 
Emergency Operations Center. Law Enforcement staffs DNR's emergency operations center. The center has a toll-free telephone number and 24-hour commu- 
 
nications with environmental specialists and conserva- 
 
DNR tion officers. These 
 
employees respond to envi- 
 
ronmental emergencies and to reported violations of 
DNR game, fish and boating laws. During fiscal 1990, 
 
added four full-time radio operators to the center, to 
 
continue providing a prompt, professional response to 
 
citizen calls. 
 
Boating Safety. DNR Law Enforcement continued 
 
its strict enforcement of Georgia's boating-under the 
 
influence-laws (BUI) Laws. An Increase in the number of BUI arrests in fiscal 1990 helped reduce the number 
 
of serious boating accidents during the year. Lake 
 
Lanier, a very high-use area, received one additional 
 
boating safety officer funded through federal appro- 
 
priations. Several task force assignments addressed 
 
boating safety problems on specific waterways. Al- 
 
bany State College continued a research project to 
 
evaluate the effectiveness of Georgia's Boating Safety 
 
Program. 
 
DNR National Accreditation. 
 
has applied for, and 
 
will be the third conservation agency in the nation to 
 
obtain, national accreditation for law enforcement of- 
 
ficers through the Commission on Accreditation for 
 
Law Enforcement Agencies. Participation in the ac- 
 
DNR creditation process will enable 
 
to perform more 
 
effectively and will increase public respect for conser- 
 
vation law enforcement activities. 
 
DNR applied for, and 
should soon receive, national accreditation 
for Game and Fish Law 
Enforcement officers. 
17 
 
 & Georgia State Parks Historic Sites 
 
Revenues Attendance 
 
Attendance and Revenues 
13,717,134 
13310355 
 
14351,164 
 
12,828,913 
 
10,199363 
 
10,888,164 
 
11,615,937 
 
9,082,131 
 
14,923,543 
 
9\ 00 
 
1982 
 
1983 
 
State Parks and Historic 
Sites visitation has increased 64 percent 
between 1982 and 1990, while revenues have 
jumped by 111 percent. 
 
1984 
 
1985 
 
1986 
 
1987 
 
1988 
 
1989 
 
1990 
 
Parks, Recreation 
 
and Historic Sites 
 
As part of its pledge to preserve Georgia's exceptional natural beauty and cultural treasures for 
 
year 1990 include: 
 Operating, maintaining and protecting 
 
present and future generations, the Parks, Recre- 
ation and Historic Sites Division made substantial 
progress toward enhancing public awareness of, and appreciation for, these special resources during fiscal 
year 1990. As the Division continued upgrading all state parks and historic sites on a well defined schedule, record numbers of visitors enjoyed high quality facilities and participated in special programs reflecting 
Georgia's unique natural and cultural heritage. Operating 44 state parks and 14 historic sites on 61,382 acres of land, the Division also strived to ensure public 
 
natural and cultural resources at a maximum 
level of efficiency.  Increasing public awareness of the recre- 
ational, natural and cultural resources at state parks and historic sites. 
 Administering an effective State Historic Preservation program. 
 Participating in the efforts of the State 
Needs Assessment Committee to ensure that 
DNR priorities for lands, facilities and funding 
 
access to quality outdoor recreation for decades to 
 
are considered. 
 
come. 
 
State parks and historic sites played a major role in the state's economic development during the year, again 
 
GRANTS 
 
making an outstanding contribution to Georgia's $9 
 
The Division administered Federal Land and Water 
 
billion-per-year tourism industry. Visitation to Geor- 
 
Conservation Fund grants totaling $254,000 which 
 
gia state parks and historic sites has increased a total of 
 
were awarded to 12 local governments during fiscal 
 
64 percent since 1982; 9,082,131 visitors were re- 
 
1990, and awarded a total of $1,233,000 from the 
 
corded in fiscal 1982, growing to 14,923,543 in fiscal 
 
state's Recreation Assistance Fund to 121 community 
 
1990 (see Figure 1). During this eight-year period, 
 
projects for development of local recreational facili- 
 
revenues generated at these facilities more than doubled, 
 
ties. Federal Historic Preservation Fund grants for 18 
 
increasing 111 percent from $5,463,350 in 1982 to $11,546,186 in 1990. While these figures indicate a 
 
community surveying and planning projects totaling 
DNR $139,000 were administered by the Division. 
 
positive growth trend, they also point to the heavy 
 
also provided $275,000 in state funds for regional 
 
burden placed on these assets by the public. DNR's 
 
preservation planning services at 13 of Georgia's 18 
 
Five-Year Strategy calls for additional land acquisition 
 
Regional Development Centers and $125,000 for op- 
 
18 
 
and an increased emphasis on repair and maintenance 
 
eration of the Recreation Technical Assistance Pro- 
 
of parks and historic sites. Priorities set during fiscal 
 
gram, operated by the University of Georgia. 
 
 OPERATIONS 
The Department operates and maintains 58 parks and historic sites, which include 3 1 9 cottages, 2,543 campsites, 1 ,800 historic markers, 23 museums, four regulation golf courses, five lodges and Roosevelt's Little White House. During fiscal 1990, the section assisted the five region offices and lodge facilities in budgeting, personnel, training, visitor services, concessions management and interpretive programs; and provided exhibit design and fabrication, historic marker mainte- 
-- nance and artifact preservation and repair. Two new lodges were opened during fiscal 1990 
Red Top Mountain Lodge near Cartersville and Amicalola Falls Lodge near Dawsonville. These new facili- 
ties have completed a system of five state park lodges, and provide an alternative to campsites or cottages for overnight accommodations at state parks. 
Outdoor recreation and interpretive programs were popular during the year and included over 8,000 special events, recreation programs, interpretive activities and exhibits. Music festivals, mountain rendezvous, living history demonstrations, wildflower programs, canoeing and backpacking trips and Indian heritage programs attracted over 450,000 participants. 
 
MAINTENANCE AND CONSTRUCTION 
 
The Maintenance and Construction Section carries 
 
out all major maintenance and construction activities, 
 
DNR using the skills of craftsmen employed by 
 
or the 
 
services of architects, engineers and contractors, to 
 
ensure a quality experience for visitors. Growing pub- 
 
lic usage, together with limited funds, has required 
 
more effective management of repair and maintenance 
 
projects. To meet this challenge, fiscal and project 
 
management systems were implemented during 1990 
 
and a five-year capital outlay schedule for new con- 
 
struction and major maintenance was updated. The 
 
DNR revised schedule will assist 
 
in achieving its Five- 
 
An aerial shot of beautiful Unicoi (top), near Helen, suggests why Georgia 
State Parks and Historic Sites draw larger numbers of visitors yearly. Below, young dancers at one of the many Indian cultural festivals sponsored by DNR. 
 
Year goal of attaining quality standards at all state 
 
parks and historic sites. 
 
Major construction projects completed during fiscal 
 
1990, including new lodges at Red Top Mountain and 
 
Amicalola Falls State Parks, were milestones for the 
 
state. The $7.8 million Amicalola Falls Lodge was the 
 
DNR largest construction project undertaken by 
 
in 
 
recent years. Lake Richard B. Russell State Park, 
 
constructed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps 
 
of Engineers, was opened during fiscal year 1990. 
 
Completion of a visitor's center and staff residence led 
 
to the opening of Picketts Mill Historic Site. 
 
Several golf course projects were planned or finished 
A during the year. new 1 8-hole course, clubhouse and 
 
related facilities were completed at Georgia Veterans 
 
State Park. Renovation of the back nine holes at Hard 
 
Labor Creek State Park, including new tees, greens and 
 
fairway bunkers, was completed and work began on the 
renovation of the front nine holes. A new nine-hole 
19 
 
 Table I. Park Improvements During Fiscal Year 1990 
 
Amicalola Falls 
 
Construction of 57-room lodge and meeting facilities with restaurant completed summer 1990 at a cost of $7.8 million. Design of walk-in lodge for hikers completed spring 1990 at a cost of $750,000. 
 
Florence Marina 
 
Construction of two new cottages completed spring 1990 at a cost of 
$150,000. 
 
Fort Mountain 
 
Renovations to 15 cottages completed spring 1990 at a cost of $240,000. 
 
Georgia Veterans 
 
Construction of 18-hole golf course, clubhouse, maintenance facility and cart storage barn completed summer 1990 at a cost of $2.9 million. 
 
Gordonia-Alatamaha 
 
Construction of nine-hole golf course completed summer 1990 at a cost of 
$660,000. 
 
Hard Labor Creek 
 
Renovations to golf course, at a cost of $390,000, with back nine completed spring 1990. Construction of new group shelter completed spring 1990 at a cost of $105,000. 
 
Indian Springs 
 
Improvements to day-use area, including walkways, paving, parking and rest station completed summer 1990 at a cost of $500,000. 
 
Panola Mountain 
 
Expansion of visitors/interpretive center ompleted summer 1990 at a cost of 
$190,000. 
 
Picketts Mill 
 
Construction of visitors center completed spring 1990 at a cost of $540,000. 
 
Red Top Mountain 
 
Construction of 33-room lodge and meeting facilities with restaurant completed fall 1989 at a cost of $3 million. Design of 18-hole golf course and 
facilities completed summer 1990 at a cost of $190,000. 
 
Watson Mill Bridge 
 
Construction of visitors center began Summer 1990 at a cost of $145,000. 
 
course neared completion at Gordonia-Alatamaha State 
 
HISTORIC PRESERVATION 
 
Park. This unique project features a golf course irrigation system that also serves as the City of Reidsville's wastewater treatment facility spray irrigation field. The maintenance facility and golf cart barn were constructed utilizing crews from the Georgia Department of Corrections. Also during fiscal 1990, plans and 
specifications were completed for a new 1 8-hole course at Red Top Mountain State Park and a new nine-hole course at Laura S. Walker State Park. 
Other major projects were completed during fiscal year 1990 (see Table 1). Kitchen facilities were reno- 
vated at Unicoi Lodge Restaurant. New miniature golf 
courses were constructed at Florence Marina and Seminole State Park and tennis courts were built at Lake Walter F. George Lodge. The 1890's house at Jarrell Plantation was restored. Design was completed for a walk-in lodge at Amicalola Falls which will be accessible only via a five-mile hike, and will provide food and lodging for hikers. The facility was designed to minimize disruption to the environment and includes a self-contained utility center for water, electricity and propane gas. 
DNR responded to a record number of repair projects 
 
The Historic Preservation Section administers state and federal grants (see Grants) and provides a variety of information and technical services to federal, state, and local governments, local preservation and historical organizations, educational institutions and citizens. These services assist in protecting, preserving and utilizing Georgia's historical and archaeological resources. During fiscal year 1990, 53 Georgia nominations were accepted for listing in the National Register of Historic Places. Included were 22 historic districts and 31 individual properties. The state's Certified Local Governments increased also, jumping from 20 to 24 with the addition of Monticello, Columbus, Lexington and Tifton. 
Toward helping DNR meet the goal of preserving and 
enhancing historical resources at state historic sites, Historic Preservation staff assisted with projects at the Lapham-Patterson House in Thomasville, HofwylBroadfield Plantation in Glynn County, the Dahlonega 
Gold Museum and New Echota Historic Site near Calhoun. The State Archaeologist assisted many parks and historic sites, while advising DNR's Game and 
Fish Division concerning proposed improvements at 
 
caused by storms, fires and flooding during the year. 
 
state wildlife management areas. 
 
20 
 
 DNR's Historic Preservation staff completed the 
 
second round of statewide surveys of historic structures 
 
during the year, as part of a revitalized Historic Resources Survey program. Ten new surveys were funded 
 
during fiscal year 1 990, including three archaeological 
surveys and five countywide surveys. The survey 
 
program has resulted in an improved data base for 
 
preservation activities and coordinated planning re- 
 
quirements, and has made a significant contribution to 
 
public awareness of historic resources. 
 
Historic Preservation worked closely with the Georgia 
 
Department of Community Affairs to develop infor- 
 
mation and technical assistance for the historic resources 
 
element of local comprehensive plans required by the 
1989 Comprehensive Planning Act. DNR developed 
 
a standard approach to data collection, prepared written 
 
information to advise Regional Development Centers 
 
(RDCs) and local governments, and provided training to the RDCs' historic preservation planners who are 
 
preparing the historic elements of the local plans. 
DNR also joined the Georgia Department of Indus- 
 
try, Trade and Tourism on its Whistle Stop Train Tour 
 
of Georgia in May, 1990. Over 10,000 people toured 
 
the Historic Preservation Section's exhibit car to learn 
 
about the state's remarkable railroad heritage and the 
 
link between historic preservation and heritage tourism. 
 
DNR During fiscal year 1 990, 
 
established the Minor- 
 
ity Historic Preservation Committee, an official com- 
 
mittee of the Georgia National Register Review Board, 
 
to assist in and encourage an increasing statewide 
 
interest in preserving historic properties associated 
 
with Georgia's black heritage. 
 
The second phase of the special project, "Georgia's 
-- Living Places Historic Houses in Their Landscaped 
Settings", was begun in fiscal year 1990. Phase I (in 1989) included surveys of historic domestic architecture, gardens and landscapes. Phase II will follow up with preservation workshops, information packets and educational programs to assist property owners in 
preservation projects. 
 
TECHNICAL SERVICES 
The Division's budgeting, funding, marketing, personnel and long-range planning units provided administrative, informational and planning support during the fiscal year. The section administered the Federal Land and Water Conservation Fund; the Georgia Recreation Assistance Fund for local recreation facilities (see Grants); and DNR's funding of the Recreation Technical Assistance Program operated by the University of Georgia. Technical Services staff also supported the Governor's State Needs Assessment Committee, which issued recommendations on Georgia's parks, historic resources and natural areas and promoted legislation leading to formation of a Joint Senate/House Study Committee on Parks, Recreation, Historic Preservation and Natural Areas during fiscal year 1990. The Committee released their report in December 1990. 
Technical Services staff continued implementing a comprehensive marketing and promotion plan for state parks, historic sites and lodges during the fiscal year. Public awareness was enhanced by the Great Georgia 
 
Augusta's Springfield Baptist Church represents historic properties associated 
with Georgia's black heritage. DNR's Historic Preservation Section strived to promote public interest in these and other historic properties during the year. 
Getaways logo theme on collateral and advertising. Potential visitors' access to information about Georgia was bolstered by promotion of DNR's toll-free information phone lines. Through advertising, publicity, travel/trade shows and direct mail campaigns the state 
park lodge system was effectively marketed. A group 
sales effort for lodges was begun, with existing per- 
sonnel. A new ad promoting state park golf courses was 
designed and placed in several state and regional golf publications. Special promotions included an insert in 
Georgia On My Mind magazine, the official travel guide 
for Georgia; participation in the Georgia Department of Industry, Trade and Tourism's "Stay and See Georgia" shows in Atlanta and Macon; and a direct mail campaign to the motorcoach tour industry, utilizing Little White House Landmark Tins. 
21 
 
 Savannah 
 
ybee assaw 
 
Ossabaw 
St. Catherines 
Blackbeard Sapelo 
O 
Sea Island St. Simons 
 
Coastal 
 
Resour 
 
aOVM\\-\''i}ik/A 
 
m 
 
'**/ 
 
Cumberland 
 
This map depicts 
Georgia's 100-mile coast, 
and its barrier islands. 
Tfie region's 475,000 
acres of saltmarshes and 
relatively unspoiled beaches nourish an astonishing variety of marine life; 
the area also supports a thriving tourism industry, 
as well as lucrative commercial fisheries. 
22 
 
The 475,000 acres of saltmarsh along Georgia's 100-mile coastline nourish an astonishing vari- 
 
ety of life, including valuable fish, shrimp and 
 
shellfish. In addition to providing commercial fisher- 
men with approximately $22 million in annual catches, Georgia's coastline attracts millions of visitors who 
 
contribute more than $1 billion to the state's economy 
 
each year. As Georgia's population continues to grow, 
 
protection of valuable marine resources is becoming 
 
increasingly important. 
During the past fiscal year, DNR's Coastal Resources Division (CRD) made substantial progress toward 
 
meeting goals framed under the Five-Year Strategy to 
 
protect Georgia's marshes, beaches and sandsharing 
 
systems, improve opportunities for commercial and 
 
recreational marine fishermen and expand research 
 
and protection efforts for threatened and endangered 
 
marine species. Specific goals framed under the Five- 
 
Year Strategy during fiscal 1990 were: 
 
 Implementation of Georgia's coastal 
 
waterbottoms leasing program; 
 
 Maintaining the biological productivity of 
 
marine fishery resources to meet the needs of 
 
Georgia's growing coastal population; 
 
 Improving research, management and 
 
protection efforts for threatened and endan- 
 
gered marine species; 
 
 Providing technical advice to coastal com- 
 
munities suffering from beach erosion. 
 
During the fiscal year, construction continued on the 
new coastal regional headquarters complex in 
 
Brunswick. Completed in fall 1990, this facility was 
 
built to house all Coastal Resources Division staff and 
 
DNR other 
 
regional personnel. 
 
The threat of Hurricane "Hugo" in September 1989 
 
necessitated the evacuation of all low-lying offices, as 
well as personnel and families on Sapelo and Ossabaw 
 
Islands. Fortunately, the Georgia coast was spared the brunt of the storm, suffering no more serious damage 
 
than a few fallen limbs and power outages. Hugo's 
 
threat did, however, give Coastal Resources Division 
 
staff an opportunity to test their evacuation plan and 
 
make necessary adjustments in the event that another 
 
storm of Hugo's caliber threatens the coastal area. 
 
MARSH AND BEACH SECTION 
 
Georgia's relatively undeveloped shorelines and 
 
marshes are both delicate ecosystems, particularly sus- 
ceptible to the influence of human activities. To pre- 
DNR serve the coast and its many valuable resources, 
operates a strong marsh and beach protection program which includes reviews of proposed developments and alterations to the coastal marshes and beach areas. In the past few years, Marsh and Beach Section personnel have worked closely with area officials to enhance the sandsharing system through renourishment projects on several beaches, including Tybee and Sea Islands. 
Beach Renourishment. In April 1990, a privately funded, DNR-permitted beach renourishment project was completed on Sea Island. Nearly two million cubic yards of sand was pumped onto the beach from intertidal and subtidal borrow pits in the Hampton River. Prior to the project, the dry sand beach had completely disappeared. The renourishment project created a beach approximately 200 feet wide with an elevation of 12 feet. Dune stabilization measures have also been taken 
 
to prolong the life of this project. Continued erosion of developed beaches in Glynn 
County has generated concern among local govern- 
-- ment, shoreline property owners and the coastal tour- 
ism industry. Georgia's "Golden Isles" beaches 
-- Jekyll, St. Simons and Sea Islands make up approxi- 
mately 1 5 miles of the Georgia coastline, but in the past 
25 years erosion has begun to threaten many of the 
 
condominiums, hotels and other structures originally built more than 400 feet from the ocean. Public beach access and recreation has also been threatened in many areas as erosion has gradually removed the high tide 
 
beach. 
 
CRD During fiscal year 1990, 
 
staff worked closely 
 
with Golden Isles officials to explore renourishment 
 
alternatives for the eroded shoreline. With the produc- 
 
tion of a question-and-answer brochure on 
 
renourishment for citizens and businesses and a bro- 
 
chure on dune preservation for distribution to area 
 
hotels, it is hoped that public awareness of this problem 
 
and support for renourishment efforts can be increased. 
 
Waterbottoms Leasing Program. During fiscal year 1990, DNR's Real Estate Unit and the Marsh and Beach Section took steps towards implementation of 
 
 the waterbottoms leasing program. During its 1989 
session, the Georgia General Assembly granted DNR 
the authority to lease coastal waterbottoms for marina 
development. Since this time, several new marinas 
have been issued waterbottom leases, and several existing marinas have been issued grandfathered leases. Processing of lease applications will continue on an ongoing basis. 
During the fiscal year, the Coastal Marshlands Protection and Shore Assistance Committees continued to review proposed coastal developments and exercise authority to grant, suspend, revoke or deny permits for development that would alter the coast's marshes or beaches. DNR's Marsh and Beach Section serves as the staff for both committees. 
COASTAL FISHERIES 
During fiscal year 1990, Coastal Fisheries made 
major strides toward meeting goals to enhance recreational fishing on the coast and improve management of Georgia's commercial fisheries. The four programs carried out by the Coastal Fisheries Section include Recreational Fisheries, Commercial Fisheries, Outer Continental Shelf and Shellfish. 
Coastal Fishing Improvements. One of the primary accomplishments during the fiscal year was the imple- 
mentation of season, size and creel limits for 1 7 species of marine sportfish. Effective October 1, 1989, these regulations are designed to protect some of Georgia's more popular sportfish, including spotted seatrout, red drum, billfish, snapper, grouper and mackerels, from overfishing. 
After almost three years of negotiations with various user groups, the recreational fisheries program received a permit to construct five near-shore artificial reefs off the Georgia coast. Designed to improve fishing opportunities in near shore waters, the reefs will be placed five to seven miles from land in areas that are readily accessible to fishermen. Construction of the first reef, located off Tybee Island near Savannah, is scheduled for fiscal year 1991. 
In September 1989, the recreational fisheries program was issued a permit to construct an inshore artificial reef in Jove Creek, Glynn County. This reef is the last of four experimental inshore reefs constructed in the coastal area since 1 987. All the inshore reefs were constructed of Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs). 
Placed in clusters of four, the FADs quickly become 
encrusted with oysters and barnacles and provide excellent fishing for popular inshore sportfish, such as 
A spotted seatrout and sheepshead. study is currently 
underway to determine if such reefs can improve 
sportfishing in other locations. Georgia's eight artificial reefs have experienced con- 
tinued heavy fishing and scuba diving activity. Fishing success on these structures has been excellent and 
expansion of these reefs is planned. To help assure 
continued fishing success on these structures, Outer Continental Shelf program personnel are currently developing a management plan for all Georgia's artifi- 
cial reefs. 
DNR 's Coastal Resources Division proudly premiered 
its newest film, titled "Underwater Oases: Georgia's Artificial Reefs" on Jekyll Island and in Savannah in 
 
August 1989. Produced by the DNR Film and Video 
Unit, this documentary highlights artificial reef developments in Georgia and explains the ongoing efforts of the outer continental shelf and recreational fisheries staff. The video has been popular with coastal fisher- 
men and other outdoor enthusiasts. 
Throughout the year, Recreational Fisheries Program personnel have continued a study of juvenile and adult red drum. Samplings over the past three decades show that the number of adult red drum in Georgia's coastal waters has declined due to severe winters and increased fishing pressure. Data are being gathered to evaluate the status of remaining red drum stocks and to assess 
 
DNR continues to 
improve coastal sport fishing opportunities for Georgians. Fish Aggregating Devices, 
or FADs (opposite), 
are used to construct inshore artificial reefs. These draw popular inshore fish like spotted 
seatrout. 
 
the effectiveness of regulations in preventing overfish- 
 
ing. 
 
Shrimping. Despite high volumes of catches during 
 
the 1989 shrimp season, Georgia's shrimp industry 
 
continued to suffer economically as a result of low unit prices. To help offset this problem, the Coastal Fisheries Advisory Commission recommended a conditional opening of Georgia's sounds. In early November, Wassaw, Ossabaw, Sapelo, St. Simons, St. Andrews and Cumberland Sounds were opened to commercial 
 
shrimp trawling for three days. Overflights on opening 
 
morning revealed 493, or approximately 87 percent of all licensed operators, working in the sounds. Commer- 
 
cial shrimpers caught $1.4 million worth of shrimp 
 
during the three-day opening. 
 
Following record low temperatures that decimated 
 
Georgia's white shrimp population during Christmas 
 
week, commercial fisheries program staff began the new year assessing the damage and developing man- 
 
agement strategies to address this crisis. Results of the samplings prompted the Commissioner to rescind a previous recommendation to extend shrimping season into January and to close inshore bait zones to commer- 
 
cial and sport bait shrimping. 
On March 23, Governor Joe Frank Harris requested 
 
that the U.S. Small Business Administration approve a 
 
disaster declaration for Georgia's six coastal counties 
 
to enable the commercial fishing industry and related businesses to receive essential economic relief. To 
 
further protect surviving white shrimp during the spring 
 
DNR spawning season, 
 
and South Carolina's Wildlife 
 
and Marine Resources Department jointly requested an 
 
emergency closure of federal waters to shrimp trawling. The request was approved and on April 3, 1 990 the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) was closed to all 
 
commercial shrimping. 
23 
 
 Sea turtle nesting surveys were an important 
part of DNR's efforts to 
restore populations of threatened or endangered 
coastal species during 
the year. Sea turtles 
that may be found in 
Georgia waters include the threatened 
loggerhead (top); and endangered hawksbill. 
24 
 
The emergency rule was lifted on June 1 when South Carolina's commercial shrimping season and Georgia's bait zones were opened. Georgia waters were reopened to commercial food shrimping on June 1 1, 1990. An overflight of coastal beaches on opening day revealed 277 boats trawling. As expected, opening day catches were very light due to white shrimp populations being only 48 percent of normal and the timing of the season opening being too early for brown shrimp catches which normally peak in July. 
 
A study of Georgia's castnet fishery was imple- 
mented during the fiscal year as a result of increasing conflicts and perceived competition between various shrimp resource user groups. Estimates of participation 
 
and harvest as well as general information about the time and effort exerted by recreational castnetters was provided. The study showed that the average castnetter made approximately eight trips in 1 989 and spent about two hours casting. Approximately 7.9 pounds of shrimp were caught per trip. 
Whelks. As a result of the closure of beaches to commercial food shrimping and a growing interest in whelk and crab trawling, Georgia's offshore waters were opened to crab/whelk trawling on January 17, allowing otherwise dormant trawlers an opportunity to work. This trawl fishery, which was virtually nonexistent prior to 1980, has grown to an average annual directed harvest of 1,179,384 lbs. of meat valued at 
 
$189,678. 
Blue crab. In July 1989,DNR began a one-year study 
 
to assess environmental factors associated with fluctuations in commercial blue crab harvest. The study, supported by state and federal funds, investigated the statistical relationship between an index of stock density and a variety of natural factors, including regional and local river discharges, rainfall, estuarine salinities and estuarine temperatures. Initial analyses of blue crab landings have revealed a pronounced shift in the market structure of the blue crab fishery from a predominately processed product (picked crab) industry to an 
 
increasingly live crab export industry. 
 
Shellfish. Georgia's shellfish program was again 
 
named one of the best in the nation by the U.S . Food and 
 
DNR Drug Administration. 
 
Shellfish Program staff are 
 
responsible for monitoring water quality in approved 
 
harvest areas to make sure they meet National Shellfish 
 
Sanitation Program guidelines. 
 
In April, DNR's Coastal Resources Division ac- 
 
cepted delivery of a new all-aluminum transport vessel 
 
named the R.V. Oyster Catcher. Purchased with 
 
settlement funds from the 1 986 Amazon Venture oil spill in the Savannah River, the new barge was specially 
 
designed for use in Georgia's inshore estuarine waters. 
 
Powered by twin 150-hp outboard motors, the R.V. 
 
Oyster "Catcher will be used primarily to enhance 
 
Georgia's public recreational harvest areas. Shellfish 
 
Program personnel will also use the vessel to experi- 
 
ment with modern harvest methods to help promote 
 
growth and development of the state's shellfish industry. 
Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon. In March, the DNR 
 
and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service began work on a 
 
project to help restore populations of Atlantic sturgeon 
 
and endangered shortnose sturgeon in Georgia' s coastal 
 
waters. In addition to collecting broodstock for spawn- 
 
CRD ing, 
 
biologists implanted several Atlantic and 
 
shortnose sturgeon with radio and ultrasonic transmit- 
 
ters to further determine the movement and migration 
 
of these species. 
 
Coastal Endangered Species. During the year, Coastal Resources Division personnel worked dili- 
 
gently to maintain and restore populations of threat- 
 
ened and endangered species in coastal Georgia. In 
 
cooperation with the Game and Fish Division, the St. 
 
Catherines Island Foundation and Little St. Simons 
 
CRD Island personnel, 
 
staff established sea turtle nest 
 
surveys and nest protection programs on Ossabaw, St. 
 
Catherines and Sapelo Islands. Approximately 750 
 
loggerhead sea turtle nests were laid on Georgia's 
 
beaches during the 1989 nesting season. (Figure 2 
 
depicts loggerhead turtle nests on Ossabaw Island 
 
since 1981). 
 
In late August 1989, a U.S. District Court judge 
ordered the Secretary of Commerce to implement regu- 
 
lations to protect endangered and threatened sea turtles. 
 
Specific 105-minute trawl time restrictions were im- 
 
posed on shrimpers in the South Atlantic and Gulf of 
 
Mexico. Effective Sept. 8, the original requirements 
 
mandating Turtle Excluder Devices (TED), in trawl 
 
nets in the southeast were reinstated. The U.S. Coast 
 
Guard reported good overall compliance by Georgia 
 
shrimpers. 
DNR continued its aerial manatee survey to identify 
 
important habitats and travel routes of endangered 
 
CRD manatees. 
 
personnel also worked closely with 
 
EPD and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service personnel as 
 
they constructed a warm water basin for overwintering 
 
manatees at the Gilman Paper Co. effluent discharge site in Camden County, near St. Marys. 
 
With possibly less than 300 right whales left in ex- 
 
istence in the northern Atlantic, the probability of 
encountering one of these rare mammals is low. Inci- 
 
dental sightings of these endangered animals provide important information on their movement and migra- 
 
tion. During the winter of 1989-1990, 19 sightings of 
35 whales were reported to DNR's Coastal Resources 
 
Division. The crew of the R.V. George T. Baghy re- 
 
ported four sightings of 12 right whales, including 
 
eight individuals seen in two groups on January 19, 
 
DNR 1990. Film and video taken by 
 
staff was for- 
 
warded to the New England Aquarium for identifica- 
 
tion of individuals by analysis of callosity patterns on 
 
the whales' heads. These records can provide infor- 
 
mation on survival and calving intervals. 
 
 Department of Natural Resources 
 
Ill 
3 E1D6 OMSSM 1M33 
 
Expenditures and Funding Sources, Fiscal Year 1990 
 
EXPENDITURES 
Positions Personal Services Operating 
Expenses Capital Outlay Contract 
Payments Federal Grants State Grants Nongame 
Conservation 
 
Internal Administration 
89 $3,895,608 2,020,566 6,246,252 2,403,663 
207,605 
 
TOTAL 
 
$14,773,694 
 
Parks, Recreation Coastal 
& Historic Sites Resources 
 
519 16,496,948 
 
36 1,533,966 
 
10,270,101 7,600,558 
 
593,728 256,265 
 
1,447,311 745,102 
1,683,300 
 
4,268 
 
2,134 
 
38,247,588 
 
2,386,093 
 
FUND SOURCES 
State Funds Federal Funds Self-Generated 
Funds Other Funds 
 
$13,771,495 23,757 
978,442 
 
TOTAL FUND SOURCES 
 
$14,773,694 
 
24,819,534 1,379,816 11,825,590 222,648 
38,247,588 
 
1,745,900 498,601 
141,592 
2,386,093 
 
Game & Fish 
504 20,611,373 7,050,159 3,805,189 
28,157 31,494,878 
 
Environmental Protection 
 
Total Dept. 
 
354 18,626,786 
 
1,502 61,164,681 
 
5,694,673 
 
25,629,227 17,908,264 
 
435,000 31,097,178 7,667,750 
 
4,285,974 31,842,280 9,351,050 
 
242,164 
 
63,521,387 
 
150,423,640 
 
23,527,646 7,080,500 491,721 395,011 
31,494,878 
 
23,106,579 39,750,655 
75,744 588,409 
63,521,387 
 
86,971,154 48,733,329 12,393,055* 
2^26,102** 
150,423,640 
 
(Self-generated funds included $11,546,406, park fee collections; $548,009, timber sales; $2,604, Mcintosh County transportation; $33,158, Sapelo Island boat fares; $10,424, Sapelo Island mail delivery, U.S. Postal Svc; $5,000, Ossabaw Island rent; $75,744, Environmental 
Protection Division map sales; and $171,710, Duck print and stamp sales.) 
 
Other funds: $629,594 (Jekyll Island/Stone Mountain payback requirement); $242,154 (Nongame Wildlife Fund contributions); $80,087 
(insurance reimbursements); $176,066 (Amazon Venture oil spill settlement funds); $299,463 (state agency, outside contracts); $27,122 (general obligation bond fund transfer); $267,198 (donations); $154,305 (Office of Energy Resources); $91,700 (miscellaneous sales, proceeds from interpretive programs, forfeited checks, etc.); $358,413 (Georgia Underground Storage Tank fund). 
Breakdown of Fund Sources, Fiscal Year 1990 
 
State-appropriated funds $86,971,150 (57.8%) 
 
$17,443,500^ 
 
Other funds (see above) 
$2,326,102 (1.5%) 
Self-generated $12,393,060 (8.2%) 
 
Federal funds $48,733,330 (32.4%) 
 
$17,443,500 of the state appropriation was derived from sales of hunting and fishing licenses and permits and recreational/commercial boating fees; asbestos removal license fees; water well drilling permits; fines; and miscellaneous permits, etc. 
 
 For more information on programs to enhance 
and protect Georgia's natural and environmental 
resources, call or write: 
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources 
205 Butler St. S. E., Suite 1258 East Atlanta, Ga. 30334 (404)656-0772 
The Department of Natural Resources is subject to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and offers all persons the opportunity to participate in its public programs, regardless of race, color, national origin, age, sex or handicap. As a recipient of federal funds from the U.S. Department of the Interior, the Department's programs must be operated free from discrimination. If your believe that you have been discriminated against in any program or activity or if you desire further information regarding the prohibition of discrimination, please write to: The Office of Equal Opportunity, U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of the Secretary, Washington, D.C. 20240.