Altamaha Vision and Goals

Vision

“The vision of the Altamaha Regional Water Planning Council is to wisely manage, develop, and protect the region’s water resources for current and future generations by ensuring that the Altamaha basin’s water resources are sustainably managed to enhance quality of life and public health, protect natural systems including fishing, wildlife and wildlife utilization activities, and support the basin’s economy.”

Goals

The Altamaha Council identified 12 goals for the region. It is important to note that the goals summarized below are not presented in order of priority, but rather were assigned a number to identify specific goals addressed as part of the water management practice selection process.

The Altamaha Council recognizes that we are generally not the primary implementation entity associated with water resource development, use, and management. Nevertheless, the Council wishes to express meaningful, action-oriented goals for the future use and management of water resources in our region. The following goals are identified with this principle in mind.

Water Systems/Supply Sustainability

  1. Help ensure protection and management of surface and groundwater recharge areas to ensure sufficient long-term water supplies for the region.
  2. Identify opportunities to maximize and optimize existing and future supplies.
  3. Promote water conservation and water use efficiency for all water use sectors to allow for sufficient long-term water supplies.
  4. Identify opportunities to better prepare for and respond to climate and water supply variability and extremes.
  5. Identify and implement cost-effective water management strategies.

Economic Sustainability and Development

  1. Manage and develop water resources to sustainably and reliably meet domestic, commercial, agricultural, and industrial water needs.
  2. Manage groundwater and surface water to encourage sustainable economic and population growth in the region.
  3. Identify opportunities to minimize excessive regulations and the resulting negative economic impacts (especially in rural areas); while maintaining quality and quantity of water supply.

Quality of Life and Public Health Enhancement

  1. Ensure an adequate water supply of suitable quality to meet current and future human, environmental and recreational needs of the region and citizens of Georgia.
  2. Optimize existing water and wastewater infrastructure, including identifying opportunities to implement regional water and wastewater facilities.
  3. Identify opportunities to manage water, wastewater, and stormwater to improve water quantity and quality, while providing for wise land management, wetland protection, and wildlife sustainability.
  4. Work collaboratively with other regions that share resources to help ensure that activities outside the Altamaha Region do not adversely impact the region.