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| GEORGIA's DROUGHT |
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Lake Lanier Remains Perilously Low
By STACY SHELTON with AJC
Sunday, 12/21/08
The year since Lake Sidney Lanier hit a record low........
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Greetings!
Times are tough in the construction industry! Our chances of having a Happy New Year will increase if we work together. Regarding erosion and sediment control, this is especially true. So let's start the new year off by asking a few questions......
Is the sediment entering Georgia streams, lakes and coastal areas really the problem the government says it is?
We all know that Georgia's building industry has taken a nose dive! Many land developers, builders and engineering firms are suffering as a result. Should federal, state and local governments relax their enforcement of erosion and sediment control laws?
Has erosion caused bigger problems in the past than what we see today? If that's true, why?
Is federal enforcement of erosion laws in an economic slump a new situation?
Perhaps the best way to answer these questions is to ask a few more.......
Did you know that by 1950 in the Piedmont Land Resource Area alone (metro Atlanta), as much as 1 foot of mostly sandy top soil was lost primarily due to agricultural and timber harvesting activity. Today, as a result, we have hundreds of stream channels, lakes and ponds completely full of sediment, some of which we drive over every day and never recognize there was a large body of water.
Did you know that Georgia has lost at least 95 reservoirs in as few as 20 counties, and that over 100 reservoirs are partially filled and are near being abandoned?
Did you know that construction related erosion is approximately 100 times greater than erosion from agricultural activity?
Did you know that Georgia actually went through the Great Depression with the government taking action on erosion and sedimentation issues in the 1930's?
Did you know that Georgia's population in 1900 was apprximately 2.2 million; 1940, roughly 3 million, in 1970, 4.6 million; and today is over 9.5 million? Is our population explosion placing a "never seen before" stress on our surface water resources?
Is it up to an enforcement inspector to be "nice" and overlook excessive erosion on a construction site?
A simple look at Georgia's history gives little doubt as to the importance of staying on top of erosion and sediment control! Regardless of whether or not you agree with associated stormwater permits, there is no doubt that the US EPA, GA EPD and some counties and cities, are aggressively enforcing erosion laws, and for good reason!
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Our RECERTIFICATION Courses for LEVEL 1A, 1B and 2 FOCUS on the New NOI, changes to the new General Permit, Georgia's 303(d) list of impaired stream segments, plus the NEW UPDATES to GESAs Local Enforcement requirements.
Call us at 678-469-5120 or click here to schedule your Georgia certification, recertification, or to arrange a private training.
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 TECHTALK
by Dr. Jim Spotts
TechTalk is a forum for resolving erosion and sediment control and/or construction related problems from a technical perspective. Technical questions are submitted by the reader; suggestions may be from Southeast Environmental Consultants, LLC, (SEC) or other sources. The reader is solely responsible for the results, if the suggestion is implemented.
The recent rains have produced high volumes of sediment that are overwhelming poorly installed Type A and Type B silt fences, causing wood posts come out of the ground and the fabric to detach from wood posts.
Poor installation techniques are generally the cause, so make sure that when installing silt fence, stakes are properly buried (at least 18 inches below ground surface). Also, use more staples when fixing the fabric to the wood posts. This will ensure that the fabric doesn't tear away from the stake.
To sign up for a special field training for site inspections and monitoring, email us at tlowen@geologicesi.com |
Call us at 678-469-5120 or go to www.erosiontraining.com to schedule yourself or your organization for one of our courses. |
US EPAs PROPOSAL TO REDUCE SEDIMENT and OTHER POLLUTANTS DISCHARGED FROM CONSTRUCTION SITES
According to the US EPA, a new proposal to significantly reduce the amount of sediment and other pollutants discharged from construction sites would be effective. The EPA estimates that this proposed rule would cost $1.9 billion dollars per year with annual monetized benefits of $332.9 million.
The US EPA is requesting public comment by February 26, 2009 on the proposed regulation and alternative options with a different numeric limit based on different technologies, as well as specific aspects of costs, loading reductions, and economic achievability.
To submit your comments to this impacting proposal, identified by Docket ID No. EPA-HQ-OW-2008-0465, click on the link below:
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John Rapanos agrees to pay for Clean Water Act violations Release date: 12/29/2008
John A. Rapanos and related defendants have agreed to pay a civil penalty and recreate approximately 100 acres of wetlands and buffer areas to resolve violations of the Clean Water Act at three sites in Midland and Bay counties, Michigan, the Justice Department and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today.
Rapanos has agreed to pay a $150,000 civil penalty and will spend an estimated $750,000 to mitigate for 54 acres of wetlands that were filled without authorization under the Clean Water Act. Rapanos has also agreed to preserve an additional 134 acres of wetlands that were unaffected by the unauthorized activity. Under the agreement, the preservation of these areas will be enforced via a conservation easement held by the State of Michigan.
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Where do Georgia Ducks Come From?
While Georgia's annual migration originates from across the Northern US and Canada, the vast majority of our wintering ducks come to us from the Prairie Pothole Region, also known as the "Duck Factory".
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Site Inspectors, subcontractors, general contractors, and design professionals from around the state will be adjusting to Georgia's continued changes to erosion and sediment control laws. Not only that, but the US EPA has proposed Effluent Limitations Guidelines and Standards for Construction and Land Development , that will more than likely require additional water treatment and sampling as stormwater leaves a property.
At the NPDES Training Institute, we believe that KNOWLEDGE is POWER! This newsletter in intended to be a very useful tool for all individuals involved in land disturbing activities.
Please contact me directly at 678-469-5120 with your questions or suggestions.
Sincerely, 
T. Luke Owen, PG
Director, NPDES Stormwater Training Institute
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