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 Is it true that a strong economy is KEY to a healthy environment? Is maintaining a healthy construction and industrial sector which provides a LOT of American jobs just as important as the good water quality we enjoy in America itself?
...and if we want to go fishing, buy a fishing license, boat, pole and lure, don't we also need fish in our watersheds and a good job to pay for it all?
Learning from our Erosion History
Georgia is a state rich with historical evidence which proves losing it's environmental condition can result in a population of people living in poverty. My family suffered as share croppers trying to farm on red clay after all top soil was lost after deforestation and the erosion that followed over a hundred years ago. A book named "The Greening of Georgia" by Harold Brown will serve you well if you want to learn and be grateful for the quality of life we share today, after we ruined our land and water resources to the point of losing our jobs, animals and fish.
The economy of Haiti and the living conditions in that country are a serious modern day reminder of Georgia's past mistakes. A primary difference is that Haiti doesn't have a free enterprise system that allows it's citizens to pull themselves out of the disaster they're forced to live in on a day by day basis.
Our Legal Right to Clean Water
So the question we must ask ourselves today while sitting in our comfortable chair drinking our cup of favorite water filled beverage is this; Must American citizens be forced to tolerate the overwhelming sediment and pollution loads coming from modern day agricultural practices, timber harvesting and construction because of the jobs they provide? Most of us say "NO".
So the argument today is not "Should we protect our watersheds while our population grows?". But instead the question should be "How do we comply with the laws already in place that protect our watersheds while maintaining a healthy and thriving business?"
WHO pays for the methods and devices (i.e. plans, BMP installation & maintenance) that protect our watersheds? It's not cheap!
Who pays for the design, installation and maintenance of the stormwater pollution prevention plans (SWPPPs) and the best management practices (BMPs) we use to keep the mud and other pollutants out of our watersheds? Is it the government, environmentalist, or the construction company? Of course the answer is the company. This can be a heavy burden on a company, but so can losing the clean water to the guy "downstream". The lives of the business owners with all their financial obligations are just as important as the macro invertebrates and endangered Cherokee Darter that live in the creek. Ultimately we depend on one another in this vast ecosystem called America. The root of the ongoing controversy in our country today is; how do we balance economic growth and healthy water quality?
At the end of the day we the people cannot allow politicians or media misinformation specialists to prevent us from seeing the critical importance of protecting our water as we continue to grow our economy.
In other words, it's accountability for damaging someone else's water quality that continues to protect our nations waters today. It's unfortunate but true, that if the federal/state regulators and US citizens lose their legal authority to protect our water, it will no doubt lead to a debilitating economic disaster. Without accountability we kayakers, boaters, swimmers, fishermen, and hunters are up a creek without a paddle, and that's a proven fact.
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RECERTIFICATION
IN-CLASSROOM or ONLINE
"FOR THE OUTDOORSMAN IN ALL OF US!"
Click Here for
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Does a Tacifier (TAC) really work? Is it cost effective?
________________________________________________ YES it is, and it's very effective at preventing erosion. The new 6th Ed. Green Book has 5 different versions you can use.
Question: I tried spreading polymer by hand to stabilize the soil on my site, but I got uneven distribution and subsequent erosion that I was trying to avoid. This stuff really works, but only on the areas protected. How can I more evenly distribute it? 
Response: You're right when you say soil specific polymer only works on the areas it covers. Uneven distribution is the common result of spreading polymer by hand. First, a soil test is required to determine the polymer needed per acre of exposed soil. Two better
methods of spreading include spreading with a seed spreader, or slowly pouring the polymer into a
funnel attached to the wand of a leaf blower. Both methods get better results if the polymer is mixed with dry sand to help distribute the polymer over a broader area. If this is to cover a long slope, consider splitting the load, distributing half from the top and half from the bottom. This will find those 'shadow' areas when distributed from one direction alone. Don't forget to wear a dust mask to avoid inhaling the material. Contact Dr. James Spotts, PhD for more information. Jim is a internationally recognized expert with TAC application in the field of erosion prevention and sediment control.
Jim Spotts
770-216-9514
jim@southeastenvironmentalconsultants.com
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KEEPING DIRT & OTHER POLLUTANTS OUT OF OUR WATERSHEDS IS NOT JUST A NICE THING TO DO
Waterborne Diseases are caused by pathogenic microorganisms that most commonly are transmitted in contaminated fresh water. Infection commonly results during bathing, washing, drinking, in the preparation of food, or the consumption of food thus infected. Various forms of waterborne diarrheal disease probably are the most prominent examples, such diseases account for an estimated 1.8 million human deaths annually. The World Health Organization estimates that 88% of that burden is attributable to unsafe water supply, sanitation and hygiene.
CONCERNS OVER ZIKA VIRUS OUTBREAK GROWING IN US.
http://www.cbsnews.com/news/zika-virus-aedes-mosquito-birth-defects-centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention-travel-alert/
U.S. health officials are reporting new cases of a mosquito-borne virus linked to birth defects.
Three cases of the Zika virus have been confirmed in Florida, and two pregnant women tested positive in Illinois. Texas and Hawaii also have confirmed cases, including a baby born with a birth defect. The growing cases at home are traced back to overseas, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel alert over the virus, warning pregnant women to avoid some of the most popular American vacation destinations.
In the handful of confirmed cases in the U.S., those infected traveled outside of the country and tested positive once they got home.
The virus is initially spread by mosquito's picking up the virus from polluted water more than likely.
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WE GUARANTEE OUR TRAINING and DO NOT CHARGE YOU FOR A RETEST IF YOU RETURN!
We are here to Help YOU!  We can set you up so you can perform your own inspections and water sampling, or we can do them for you. Contact us anytime at 678-469-5120 or info@npdestraining.com |
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ALGAE BLOOMS
Does the Clean Water Act Make ALL Polluters Accountable?
What's causing Lake Erie and a growing number of lakes in the United States of America to get polluted to the point that people drink toxins making it through water treatment plants and causing fish to die? Is it industrial manufacturing or waste water treatment plant discharges like before and during the 1960's when the Clean Water Act started regulating understood pollution sources, or is it a) fertilizers and nutrients from densely populated areas, b) agricultural runoff from fertilizers & pesticides, c) runoff - concentrated animal feeding operations, and/or d) runoff from illegal dischargers tolerated by federal and state environmental protection agencies.
The answer is the Clean Water Act is more suited for regulating point sources of discharge and not non-point sources as defined. This makes clean water laws more enforceable in some areas than others. Either way you slice it, something needs to be done.
The State of Georgia supports a great program called Georgia Adopt-a-Stream that has over 70,000 volunteers throughout the state that help to monitor our states waters. It's very effective and a tool many local governments use to educate and involve the public in water pollution prevention.
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HERE's TO
TIGHT LINES
& GOOD TIMES
in
Clean Abundant Water!!!
 Please remember our military men and women serving our country. They always need our support!
Respecting our neighbors downstream is what NPDES is all about. It's OUR CHILDREN that will be living through decisions we've made today. NPDES is an investment into our nations future generations so they can also have an equally great place to live, swim, fish, boat, and hunt tomorrow!
A lot is happening today with water regulations that affect a diverse community of public and private entities. If you have areas of interest that you would like included in this newsletter, please contact me at 678-469-5120.
Sincerely,
T. Luke Owen,PG
President/Principal Trainer and Consultant
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