EPD's MISSION We help provide Georgia's citizens clean air, clean water, healthy livn and productive land by assUling compliance with environmenlallaws and by assisting others to do their pan for a better environmrnt. EPD's VISION an Water and air throughout Georgia arc: clran, land is productive, all citizens and native species arc safe from envlronmen~1 harm. Government, businesses and individuals faithfully exceed the requirements of environmenlallaws. II All citiuns understand the environment and do tht=if part to improve it. II As Georgia grows, its land, .it and water resources arc managed carefully for sustained prosperity. EPD's staff are motivated and empowered to use skill, common rose and fairness to protect, ~talO and Ix stewards of Georgia's environment. EI}D's workforce is StrakgiCillly located to maximize effectiveness and to involve communities in sustaining a high quality envlron~nt. EPD Mips ~ that growth ts manased in ways that sustain air, wakr and land rcsoun:~_ CTOR'S STATEMENT Is the water safe to drink? Are the fish safe to cat] Is the air safe to breathe? These are a few of the many questions the Environmental Protection Division (EPD) receives and strivC$ to a swer. The answers to these Iypei: of Questions are the indicators of t e quality of Georgia's environment. Gwrgia's El1l1iromllt'1l1 98 focuses on environmental indicators--quantitative measures which can be used to evaluate trends in environmental quality over time. We will use these indicators to evaluate the relative success of our regulatory programs, 10 identify priorities and to guide future programs. We lUognize, however, that the quality of Ctorgia's environment is depc=mknt upon many factors outside the regu!atory functions of EPO. btl" Our mission is to provide CItizens clean ai clean water, healthy li~ ~nd productive land. EPD cannot do it all, but we af(: a key participant. We ocablish environmental standards, we administer environmnnal regulatof)' progn.ms, and we monitor and repart on the quality of the environment Assuring compliance with envIronmental laws is also part of our mission statement. Compliance leads to clean water, clean air, healthy lives and productive land. Assuring complj~nce takes many fonns, including CONTE TS ENYIRONMENTAL INDICATORS. E YIRONMENTAl CLEANUPS ASSURING COMPLIANCE BEYOND REGULATION pennit issuance, inspections, enforcement, eduCiltion and technical assistance. Gtorgias EnPimllrnml 98 provides data on these activities. OUT mission statement also charges us with assisting others to do their part for a better environment. As Georgia grows in population, OUT natural resources will be stressed and environmental protection can no longer be solely the responsibility of government and regulated businesses. Education of Georgia citizens on environmental issues and on what each of us can do to protcct our environment is paramount. Also, ErO must become involved in helping assure that Georgia's growth is managed to sustain our air, water and land rcsourccs. Please review the environmental indicatOrs in this report. They show Georgia's overall environment to be healthy, but also identify areas needing improvement. EPO's top three prioritics are: the improvement of tht air quality in metropolitan Atlanta; the improvement of tht water quality of streams impacted by nonpaint source pollution throughout Georgia; and meeting long tenn water needs in areas where high usc is threatening the available water resourco. My hope is that these indicators will document continued environmental improvement in futuf(: years. I ask for your help in achieving this. Harold F Rchcis ......... 2 8 ...................... I 1 ... 12 ENVIRONMENTAL INDICATORS AIR l'U1IAIO!l.<; Georgia has adopted national ambient air quality standards for six pollutants to protect public health and welfare. Those; pollutants are carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide. partiCulate matter. sulfur dioxide and ozone. A state-wide sampling network monitors the concentration of these pollutants. Monitoring trends are assessed for compliance with air quality standards. The 13 county Atlanta metropolitan area has ~n declared a serious nonaHainment area for ground level ozone and includes Cherok, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayeue, Forsyth, Fulton, Cwinneu, 'Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale counties, To achieve attainment, the average number of days above the standard must be equal to or less than one for three consecutive years. The number of cxceedance days in the ozone nonattainmcnt area is an indicator of our progress toward ;chieving that goal. Carbon Monoxide SlondU~ '.0 9.0 7.sH"\\.+Jf-++-H4+-H--1 6.0 1--J---1--l--'~>-!----I---J--I--+-' 4.SUUJJ-LL't:t!-llJJ 3.0 L.l---'---'---LJ-.L---'---LL.l---'---'-' .5 16 1111 19 90 91 97 93 94 9S 96 91 Year Lead ~"'1.S loS -.. 1.2 ~ :ali 0.9 H--+-++++-+-H--+-++-l e";, E 0.6 ~rl-+-+-+-l-1--1---1--+-+-~ oo~ 0.3Ittttii7'rtt*ti:;1 " 0.0 U::E:~~U-.LU..:r:f:J IS 86 11 aa 89 90 91 97 93 94 9S 96 91 Year NI..rogen Dioxide Slanilanb .050 O.OS 0.04 0.03 H-++-t---1-+++-H-++-1 0.01 UUJJ-l-UU:t:!=! 0.00 L.l---'---'---LJ-.L---'---LL.l---'--..LJ '5 16 11 II 19 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 91 ~-- Year Sulfur Dioxide 0.14 s-b"'0.14 0.12 0.10 o.oaHH--+-+++++-+-H 0.06I-J.,oo\\.-+-+-+-+-+-+-+--I-1 0.04~ttit~~~j~~ 0.02~ 0.00 aa l-L-L-L-L-L-.L-.L-.L-.L--'..- 81 89 90 91 97 93 94 95 96 91 Year R f <; II I I <; Par"iculat'e M.a..... er -10 ~d"SO .-. SO E40 ." P--F'l"""/lo;'+-++-+--+-I-H ~ ~e 30lil-ltf1.,~~tti -o~ " " 70 l--'---.L--'-----'----'----"----'-----'---.Jl-L...J 81 II 89 90 91 97 93 94 95 96 91 Year II The overall quality of Georgia's air is good. In 1997, Georgia's air met national standards for concentrations of all pollutants except o~one. The graphs on this page chan annual averages since the mid 19805 for carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, particulate matter and sulfur dioxide. Air quality is either stable or getting better for those pollutants. II A growing population and increasing number of automobiles have kept Atlanta from mting the ambient air quality standard for ozone. Episodic violations of the ozone standard occur during the ozone season (May - September) in metro Atlanta. However, the concentration of ozone in the air is within the standard the vast majority of the time. 2- Atlanta Metro Area Ozone _0.12 0.20 0.11 0.16 II AI. 0.14 """ 0.12 0.10 i lll ,I '" I II Maximum Hourly Concentration St...lonl for Gr........... _ 0.08 0.06 A...... of Daly M o . _ v. . . 0.04 0.02 0.00 ~~U.3"~hUe""91n"M6%V Year 3S 35 -_ 3. ~ ;:;: 25 ,!! 2. j -- ---- 30 -/ 25 , .., 20 ~ 15 IS M ! 10 - " \ V '..J -; S z 10 co- 0 oo 5 ~ o ~81~~MM"VU""91nnH~%W Year 1m The blue linc on the graph above plots the maximum hourly concentration of ozone reported for the 13 county metropolitan Atlanta area during [he ozone season (May.Scptcmbcr) since 1980. The maximum hourly ozone concentration in 1997 was 0, 147 parts per million. The green line plots the average of daily maximum values measured in the 13 county metropolitan Atlanta area during the ozone season. The average ozone concentration during 1997 was 0.06 parts per million. m Population data from the US Bureau of the Census for the metro Atlanta ozone nonattainment area is shown by the red line on the graph above (right). The blue line charts the number of days Atlanta air exceeded the ozone standard for each year beginning in 1980. A violation is recorded if the ozone level exceeds 0.12 parts per million for a one hour period. The number of days with violations of the ozone standard has not increased proportionately with population growth, The standard was exceeded 16 times in 1990 when the population of the non-attainment area was 2.7 million, In 1997, the population had increased to 3 3 million and the standard was exceeded for 11 days. Effective control measures have kept the ozone problem from getting worse. These programs include reductions in industrial emissions, cleaner cars being manufactured and sold, and an expanded vehicle emission inspection program. Solving The Ozone Problem Alarge part of the ground level ozone problem in metro AtIontll is mused by almost 2.8 million (ors and hghtlrlKks that are being driven on overage of more than 100 million miles per day. The emissions frem these vehides and the high number of doily m~es traveled an mor, than hoIf the pollutants that form ozone in metro AtIonto. An expanded vehide emissions inspection program begon with the 1997 '0 'ag season find poiuling vehicles ond have !hem repaired. 0", ... milion vehicles wore 1elIed. Of 'hose, "' failed lheir ilitiaI test, and owners hDd to make repairs and retest. On~ 27110 . - "- c~ 5 4 3 2 B Three contaminants (PCBs, :;": chlordane and mercury) wefe dear patkm of increases in mercury in fish has bt:en nOl'e4,. Mercury is a natura1\y OCCUlTing e1e- mt:nl', and has likely always been present in fish in low concentrations. As a matter of fact, when today's data is compared to data collected from as A V f' A , far bac as 1971, it appears thallhe amount of ia mercury in most fish in Georgia is abou the same. So, why are there more restrictions because of mercury now than in the past? The standard for detected in significant amounts ill a few species from some bodies of o mercury that DNR uSt:S to dt:ve1op its guidance for 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 fish consumption was lowered thret: fold in 1995. water. One lake (Hartwell) and DNR uses a very conservative approach, as recom- five river segments (in the Coosa, Etowah, Turtle, rivt:r or stream segments Fish from an additional mt:ndt:d by US EPA, to ensure protection for all Buffalo and South Brunswick Rivers) have PCB eight lakes and 23 river or stream segments were pt:oplt:. This change resulted in new guidance for contamination and some fish from those segments tt:sted and have no restrictions. fish consumption in some areas of the state, even should not be consumed at alL Guidance recom though the amount of mercury in fish did not mending reduced consumption levels (meals/month In the early [990's, PCBs and chlordane caused increase. or meals/week) has been issued for 24 lakes and 51 most of the rt:striCl'ions in Georgia Concentrations CHATTAHOOCHEE AND FLINT RIVER BASINS The Environmental Protection Division is preparing river basin management plans for each of the fourtet:n river basins in Georgia. These plans consist of a comprehensive study of tht: water quantity and quality of the basins couplt:d with strategics to correct identifit:d problems. EPO complt:ted tht: plans for the Chattahoochee and Flint Rivt:r Basins in 1997. The United Statt:s Geologic Survey (USGS) has sdectt:d river basins throughout tht: Unitt:d States for intensive water quality monitoring. This program, entitlt:d, "The National Water Quality Asst:ssment Program," includes the Chattahoochee and Flint River basins. USGS published a summary report in 1998 on tht:se basins based on data collected during 1992 and 1995. The EPO basin plans and the USGS report highlight some kt:y environmental indicators of water quality in the Chattahoochee and Flint River basins: ~ The most influential factor in water quality is land use. Stomlwater runoff from various land uses transports pollutants to the streams, B Some urban streams, t:specially in the Atlanta and Columbus areas, have elevated pesticide concentrations unhealthy for aquatic life. However, in general, stream pesticide concentrations throughout the basins were at levels safe for human exposure, B The largest concentrations of inorganic compounds were in urban and suburban streams. B Nutrients concentrations were lowt:st in streams draining from croplands and forests and in the Chattahoochee River upstream of Atlanta. B Nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus) which arc indicative of poor water quality were highest in stream tributaries during storm events. The land uses having the highest nutrient impacts were urban, suburban, and poultry production, The main stem of the Chattahoochee River downstream from Atlanta had elevated nlltrient concentrations following storm events. m [n the Piedmont Region of the two river basins, fish thrived best in streams draining forested land; the Fish communities in urban streams were severely degraded. m The solutions to the wakr quality problt:ms require local actions to correct the land usc sources. The majority of these sources arc not within EPO's regulatory authority. 7 ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUPS Improper storage and/or disposal of solid waste, hazardous waSle, and petroleum pnxlucls can fesuh in contamination of our soils, streams and wells. Most contaminated sites in Georgia occurred before we knew common practices posed environmental threats, before the development of technology to avoid contamination and before reg ulations were passed to protect the environment. EPD identifies these sites and dct~mlincs the extent of cleanup rc;:quired to restore productive land. When the party responsible for the contam ination is unable or unwilling to clean up the site, funds from one of thrtt trust Funm may be usei:t. Tr IS t h n d S..... ar y_ The _ _ IMI hold is - " " br "" .. dd and hallrdous _ , foes '" ...... of hallrdous ... S1anUS, lMdlines coIeded under various slatllIh'.Ol...... lows. 1m 1992, ~1.8 miIon hom "" _ _ IIIISI Fund has been used" mestigale and/or deOI up 91 hazardous siIes. The laIid _ Irvst hold is - " " br lines caIooed c.... under Georgia's 15iwe Sold Waste ' Ad and a 11.110 ........ foe caIooed '" Iho of ..D to create a plan for ~Ozone ACliOl' DaysR. The VOAP Partner then implements that plan Employers can significantly help reduce ozone levels because they can affect how their employees commute. They can allow nexiblc work schedules, teleworking and encourage carpooling and usc of mass transit. They can delay the use of lawn maintenance equipment until after the Ozone Action Day. They can refuelthcir neet vehicles after dark or avoid using paint and solvent containing cleaners. Federal agencies, representing some 44,000 employees, and many private compames have volunteered to become VOAP Partners In December, 1997, Governor Zell Miller endorsed the VOAI' by signing an Executive Order requiring all state agencies, departments and state universities in the 13 county nonattainment area to participate. State agencies must reduce the number of single occupancy vehicle trips made by state employees by 20% on ozone action days duro ing 1998 and for the entire ozone season in 1999. The net effect of the VOAP is expected to be simIlar to what happened in the Atlanta region during the OlympIC Games of 1996. Even though 3 mIllion extra people were III the region, traffic and air QualIty were much better than usual There were no ozone exceedances during the Olympic period despite the fact that climate conditions were favorable for ozone formation and buildup. For more infomlation on the VOAP, or to sign up for e-mail notification of Ozone Action Days, visit www.voap.org. We must go beyond regulation to meet the challenges of clean air, cleaH water, healthy lives and productive land. RIVER CLEANUP. In October of each year, volunteers throughout ~orgia remove debris along streams in theIr community. Durmg the 1997 River Clean Up Week, 1,911 volunteers worked 4,393 hours and collected 1,962 bags of trash. The event covered 8 rivers, 4 lakes, 10 creeks, 1 canal and 1 pond. Thirty-nine local organizers planned and coordinatcd this event on the local level. ADOPT-A-STREAM. The Adopt-a-Stream Program focuses on what mdividuals and communities can do to protect Georgia's water resources from nonpoll1t sources of pollution More than S,lX)() volunteers participate in 170 individual and commumty AdoptA-Stream programs. Volunteers conduct cleanups, stabilize streambanks, monItor streams using biological and chemical methods, and evaluate habitats and watersheds. These actiVIties lead to a greater awareness of water Quality and non point source pollution, active cooperation between the public and local governments, and the collection of basic water Quality data. For more infonnation about the Adopt-A-Stream program, call1-888-373-S947. Assuring compliance with environmental regula. tions has greatly improved Georgia's environment. However, we must go beyond regulation 10 meet the challenges of clean air, clean water, healthy lives and productive land Local governments and planning commissions, with EPD assistance, must continue to adopt land use practices to manage growth Industry mllSt contll1uously review their proc~ses to consume I~s energy, produce less waste and release fewer pollutants into our environment Citizens must drive less, practice water conservation and recycle whenever possible. The regulated community will have to exceed the requirementS of our environmental laW'> and citizens will have to become actively involved to sustain a hIgh quality environment. "Nothing short of defending this country in wartime compares in importance with the great central task of leaving this land even better a land for our descendants than it is for us." -Theodore Roosevelt GEORGIA DEPARTMENT 0' NATURAl RESOURCES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DIVISION 20S BUllE. Sum SE SUITE 1152 ArLAllu, GEOl61A 30334 18883735947 IN AllAN" 4046575947 www.sfafe.ga . U 5 / dnr I en viro n