The Altamaha Riverkeeper Works Upstream

October 6, 2005
By Constance Riggins

Storm water runoff from construction sites is the major cause of impaired water quality in Georgia. Sediment from construction sites is a statewide crisis filling entire lakes and streambeds. Dirt harms streams by smothering tiny organisms, blocking sunlight to aquatic plants, and choking the dissolved oxygen in the water making it difficult for fish to feed and breed. Sediment can also carry heavy metals, pesticides, and other pollutants. This is the message delivered from federal, state, and local enforcement professionals at a sediment and erosion workshop held by the Altamaha Riverkeeper and the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper.

The September 28th workshop in Macon at the Mercer School of Law included information on why we need erosion control and the permits necessary for compliance with the law. Over 40 developers, contractors, and local issuing authorities attended from around the state and learned current storm water policy and procedures straight from the enforcement entities. Event speakers included EPD spokesperson, Patricia Kitchens, who says, " Protecting Georgia's water quality from sediment laden storm water run off is the responsibility of the local issuing authority and a huge liability."

Representatives from the U. S. Corp of Engineers were part of the program and explained that following updated requirements for storm water run off lowers the risk of costly fines to contractors and city and county governments. Environmental consultants and an attorney from the Georgia Center for Law and the Public Interest addressed the necessary permits and important regulations on permits and stream buffer variances.

According to Altamaha Riverkeeper, James Holland, there are three steps to protecting our waters when it comes to sediment and erosion 1. Identify all water features and make plans to protect them 2. Obtain permits and 3. Install and maintain Best Management Practices.
Verdicts in recent cases involving run off prove it is not cheap to break the law.

In May of 2005, a jury in Cobb County charged the largest fine in a Georgia stormwater pollution case requiring a developer to pay $2.35 million dollars for piping dirt runoff from his construction site into their yards.

The Macon workshop was part of an ongoing series of Get the Dirt Out workshops given around the state by Georgia Riverkeeper and other watershed groups. The project was initiated by the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper and the Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest to educate citizens on taking steps to protect water quality.