January 26, 2023

Meeting Summary: Coosa-North Georgia Council November 1, 2023

To:         Coosa-North Georgia (CNG) Regional Water Planning Council

From:    Christine Voudy, GA EPD

              Paula Feldman, Freese and Nichols

              Andrea Druhot, Freese and Nichols

 

Subject: Meeting Summary: CNG Regional Water Planning Council Meeting

Date: November 1, 2023

Welcome and Introductions

Brooke Anderson, CNG Chairman, welcomed the group and made introductions. Mr. Anderson celebrated the completion of the third iteration of the Regional Water Plan.

 Mr. Anderson presented the agenda topics:

  1. Council Business
  2. Wildlife Action Plan
  3. Lake Lanier Study
  4. Population Trends Update
  5. RWC: Planning Ahead
  6. Next Steps

Council Business

  1. Council members approved the May 2023 meeting minutes.
  2. Council members approved the October meeting agenda.

State Wildlife Action Plan: Ani Escobar, GADNR Coosa Aquatic Biologist

Ms. Escobar is part of the Wildlife Conservation section of the Wildlife Resources Division, specializing in the Coosa River Basin. Ms. Escobar presented data on the Coosa basin. The basin has 35 aquatic species with state protection and another 15 with federal protection; it contains the highest proportion of endemic species in the U.S. Fish and mussel species are declining in the Etowah and Conasauga Rivers, which is a concern for the RWC since healthy fish communities are associated with healthy waters. Freshwater mussels provide numerous benefits to water ecosystems, such as filtration of algae, sediment, and bacteria, bio deposition and nutrient cycling, oxygenation, substrate stabilization, and a food source for other species. Drought particularly reduces mussel filtration capacity. The Coosa basin supports 30 mussel species of the original 38 species.

Ms. Escobar explained the connection between mussels and bass. Mussels attach to bass gills in the larva stage. After 1-4 weeks, mussels are ready to fall off and are dispersed throughout ecosystems by the fish. A decline in bass means a decline in mussels.

Georgia’s State Wildlife Action Plan seeks to mitigate species decline. The Plan was last updated in 2015 and is being revised for 2025. Ms. Escobar shared that council input is welcome. The Plan will prioritize the species of greatest conservation need and document the threats and conservation actions for them and their habitats. Example threats include dams and water management/use, invasive species or disease, household sewage and urban wastewater, industrial and material effluents, agricultural and forestry effluents, and temperature extremes. Conservation actions can be eligible for more funding. There may be opportunities for partnership between DNR and the Council on common interests and overlapping goals.

Ms. Escobar answered questions.

  • Visitor Question: How are threats determined?
    • Ms. Escobar: Each species receives top 3 threats, which are weighted by number of species affected.
  • Visitor Question: Does the Plan address nuisance species?
    • Ms. Escobar: Yes.
  • Question from Mr. Sullivan: What is the threat from urban wastewater?
    • Ms. Escobar: Urban wastewater threats can be point source discharges from a wastewater treatment plant or general runoff from an urban system (impervious system, flashier flows, nutrients, etc.).
  • Question from Mr. Sullivan: Are there opportunities for groups to help repopulate types of species (stocking)?
    • Ms. Escobar: You need state and federal permits to hold animals. Additional permits are needed to release animals. Reintroductions are sometimes prevented by habitat degradation (first priority before stocking).
    • Visitor: A riparian plant cooperative is in the works with botanic garden, targeting an elementary school for partnership as an option for habitat degradation.
    • Ms. Voudy: We will be asking for Seed Grant ideas today – rebuilding habitat may be an option. There are no limitations on funding for sister agencies and the Council can look for opportunities to fund and improve in Coosa Region.
    • Ms. Escobar: A group in Delaware is piloting using mussels to filter wastewater prior to the intake.
      • Ms. Voudy: Questioned the impact of PFAS on the mussels
      • Ms. Escobar: The impact may be part of the research.
  • Question from Mr. Anderson: Brooke: How are the little fish impacted by the big fish eating them, such as the large striper and large bass in the Etowah River?
    • Ms. Escobar: Yes, bass are eating darters. Predation is an issue but also part of their natural life cycle.
  • Visitor Question: There are a lot of programs through EQUIP about nutrient runoffs, are there assessments on the effectiveness of those programs from NRCS?
    • Ms. Escobar: Internally within NRCS, there have been some small studies. The scale can be challenging – monitoring is not an action that a lot of people want to fund.
    • Visitor: NRCS has a conservation effects matrices and studies for each best management practices, so you can anticipate your value of effectiveness using these matrices. The agency is not typically studying post implementation. Coosa watersheds have gotten some monitoring during the planning process and have the opportunity for the state management part of the program to do long term monitoring (newer program). The US Fish and Wildlife Service has a 10-year agreement to get more data on their programs on private land.

Lake Lanier Study: Erin Lincoln, Tetra Tech

Ms. Lincoln provided the background on the study, which combines partnerships with a Seed Grant. Tetra Tech is analyzing the water quality impacts of increasing Lake Lanier by two feet in summer months. The lake pool elevation is 1070 feet in winter and 1071 feet in summer. The study assesses raising the lake to 1073 feet in the summer. The lake is impaired by chlorophyll-a, which is influenced by nonpoint source runoff, such as high-nutrient run-off from chicken farms. The lake has a history of drought, which threatens the water supply for Atlanta.

Buford Dam operations are an important consideration, as minimum release flows are required to meet downstream water quality standards and water withdrawals. The impact on homeowners was also considered. The lake’s bank is steep for most properties. Results showed that water levels could extend 5-10 feet onto land of some properties, which is within the current USACE authorized boundary of 1085 feet. Management of the lake depends on the severity and timing of droughts.

EPD developed water quality models for the watershed and the lake. The initial model results suggested negligible water quality changes within the lake from raising the level by 2 feet. Minor changes to the dam outflow and release pattern would be needed but could be achieved with no new violations to water quality. More detailed modeling was conducted for coves. The results showed improvement in water quality at the surface elevations and greater dilution. The study concluded that it is possible to increase elevation while meeting release and water quality standards.

  • Question from Mr. Haynes: Would an additional 1000 acres be inundated?
    • Ms. Lincoln: Yes. The volume would be greater.
  • Mr. Berg provided some history on the origin of the study and seed grant, especially related to dock owners.

Ms. Lincoln shared that the study is the first step, but much more must be done to permit and increase lake levels. The process would involve both the State and USACE, require the NEPA process, and could take 10 to 20 years with the large quantity of stakeholders.

  • Visitor Question: Have there been studies on dredging?
    • Ms. Lincoln: A study was completed about 10 years ago by the USACE. They found that sediment is not taking up significant chunk of lake. The USACE does some routine dredging.

Population Trends Update: Taylor Hafley, Carl Vinson Institute of Government, University of Georgia

Mr. Hafley presented an update on population trends in Georgia that influenced the latest projections from the Office of Planning and Budget. The population growth rate began slowing in the 2010s, although Georgia’s growth outpaced the national average. Population change is births – deaths + migration + group quarters (military, assisted living, college dorms, prisons). The Census Bureau estimates population between and beyond censuses. Georgia’s growth rate is influenced by declining births, which are tied to Georgia’s shifting fertility arc (women having children later). The Covid years exhibited grater deaths. Overall, Georgia is getting older with a higher population of folks over 65 years. Now, domestic migration drives Georgia’s growth.

  • Mr. Anderson: Questioned the change in Dawson County’s projections between the 2019 and 2023 forecasts and frequency of calculation
    • Mr. Hafley shared that they update population projections annually internally and welcome input.
  • Mr. Anderson: Questioned the movement of people from county to county, one of the challenges of water resources planning is that it requires 20 years for new water supply sources to be permitted and constructed, and the population forecasts provide the basis for need.  Significant shifts in the population forecasts creates challenges – need more stability and predictability.
    • Mr. Hafley noted that the Census Estimates are used as the basis for population, which is developed based on federal information, such as tax returns, social security, Medicare/Medicaid and other governmental programs.
    • Mr. Hafley noted that the 2019 OPB Forecasts are based on 2017 data.  OPB is updating forecasts annually and doesn’t want to have major gaps or variability. 
    • Mr. Hafley offered to meet to discuss individual county concerns.

Lunch Presentation: Nutrient Trading by Laurie Hawks

Ms. Hawks provided an update on the first nutrient trading pilot in Georgia, which is located in Lumpkin County. The pilot focuses on phosphorus in the Lake Lanier basin. A trade is needed due to the County’s need for a wastewater discharge combined with the lack of allocation in the TMDL for the discharge basin. EPA previously approved water quality trading, and Georgia’s guidance was approved in 2023. The pilot seeks to balance numerous considerations: type, location, monitoring, cost, credits, and trading ratios. Example nutrient trading projects include stream restorations, floating wetlands, and constructed wetlands. The nutrient trading project’s anticipated completion date is late 2024.

  • Question from Mr. Johnson – Is distance by mileage or watershed?
    • Ms. Hawks – Compliance stations zones is one idea under consideration.
  • Question from Mr. Sullivan – What about a poultry litter digestion system?
    • Ms. Hawks – Projects include options with permanent nutrient removal. There is also a concept of creating an insurance pool of credits.

Planning Ahead: Brooke Anderson, Council Chair, with Christine Voudy, EPD

Mr. Anderson reviewed previous Seed Grant initiatives completed by the Coosa RWC, which have amounted to close to $1M in Seet Grant and partnership funds. Ms. Voudy celebrated the Coosa RWC’s past utilization of available funding and reviewed the Seed Grant application process. Ms. Voudy emphasized EPD’s willingness to support interested councils.

Mr. Anderson reviewed the most recent Seed Grant – an Infrastructure Vulnerability and Resiliency study by Tetra Tech. This study’s goals are to provide communities with an assessment of historic extreme weather events and summarize changes in weather patterns over time. The project is anticipated to begin summer 2024.

  • Question from Mr. Crawford: Does the study include updates to the 7Q10?
    • Ms. Lincoln: Yes, the study will create annual 7Q10 and 1Q10 over a 100-year period.

Ms. Feldman reviewed the Regional Water Plan schedule. There will be 2 meetings per year until the next plan update process begins, or a total of 6 meetings. The interim meetings can focus on topics to prepare for and influence the 2028 update.

Mr. Anderson and Ms. Voudy presented potential priority focus topics. Mr. Anderson facilitated the council’s discussion and gathered input. Ms. Voudy presented a few ideas:

  • Underwater quality related to water supply, such as implementing previous studies/Seed Grant findings to delist 303d streams
    • Ms. Lincoln: Can the council request that EPD sample specific streams?
      • Mr. Barton: Yes, the Council can pursue that dialogue with EPD.
    • Mr. Anderson: How does State Wildlife Plan come into play?
      • Ms. Voudy: The Council could address impacted organisms with a Seed Grant to improve habitat, for example. The BEAM model could be used to forecast how impaired streams will perform in future and what is needed to remove them from the 303d list.
  • Biosolids Disposal
    • Considerations could include area impacts, costs, possible solutions from industry partners, and land application of liquid fertilizer.
    • Mr. Chapman mentioned that biosolids can be a challenge in Fannin County.
    • Ms. Voudy shared that the council may want to engage with regulators for this topic.
    • Mr. Crawford shared that there have been challenges with permitted poultry waste application (liquid fertilizer via poultry waste). PFAS is also a concern when applying biosolids.
    • Mr. Anderson suggested future regional incinerators for biosolids with PFAS to mitigate cost and landfill issues.
    • The council discussed studying incinerators as a Seed Grant opportunity.
    • Mr. Sullivan: As a poultry representative, it’s a complicated issue. Disposal is regulated by the Department of Agriculture. It would be a great topic to include 3 perspectives:
      • Water quality
      • Food production
      • Cost to farmers
    • Ms. Voudy agreed that more than one speaker and perspective for this topic would be best to understand impacts to the area.
  • Drought Resiliency Planning: combining future Seed Grant results with forecasting
    • The council suggested bringing multiple speakers on building drought resiliency.
    • Mr. Anderson suggested someone from NOAA.
    • Ms. Voudy suggested an EPD modeler to talk about how the models would change with different drought severities.
    • Visitor Question: Did any communities do anything after the connectivity study?
      • Mr. Anderson did not know of any follow-up actions taken.
  • Lead and Copper
    • The Council questioned the financial impacts of existing and future lead and copper rules for utilities.
    • Mr. Berg mentioned the topic takes a multi-year view.
    • Ms. Voudy clarified the focus topics can look longer-term than 3 years.
    • Mr. Anderson added that these topics can be driven by the education of the council.
    • Mr. Chapman questioned what to do with copper and lead that is replaced.
  • Emerging Contaminants (PFAS) and implications on water providers
    • The council discussed awareness of rules and upcoming rules to understand burdens placed on water providers relative to the regional water plan (such as cost, allocating resources).
    • The council discussed making research available as a resource to water providers to help them overcome hurdles.
    • Mr. Anderson shared that the topic must look at both water and wastewater.

The Council discussed additional ideas:

  • Mr. Anderson suggested talking about FOG/grease disposal (nowhere in Dawson to dispose of grease) or improving stormwater management and BMPs.
  • A visitor suggested some analysis of delisted streams and predictive need.
  • Mr. Haynes suggested a study on how the council does improves habitat and organisms. A benefits study from the RWP could show the public its impact and financial benefit too.
  • Mr. Ellis supported the biosolids and emerging contaminants topics but suggested doing the emerging contaminants first since they piggyback off each other. Would you include alum sludge?
    • Mr. Anderson: Residuals should be pulled into the conversation, yes.
  • Mr. Ellis: What about topic around land use planning, utilizing a meeting to analyze the topic from different angles to balance utility managers, developers, and elected officials? The City of Calhoun changed ordinances that have eliminated some properties from being developable.
    • Mr. Anderson agreed and wanted to be creative and intentional with speaker selection.
    • Ms. Voudy provided the example of England’s development, thinking beyond for perspectives, what is feasible, and differences over time in planning.
    • Visitor: Some communities do buildout scenarios. We should consider how we plan ahead.
    • Mr. Anderson suggested bringing in a developer for other ideas or perspectives on how ordinances/regulations can influence what they can do. He would love a plan that incentivizes creativity.
    • Mr. Berg provided context on bringing development/businesses to balance tax bills. He expressed concern about population and accounting for localized changes and requested the OPB collect more data.
    • Ms. Voudy shared the council could look at areas that would be appealing for industries in the region (inland port).
    • Mr. Berg mentioned the 50 mile tax incentive around Atlanta and talk of increasing it to 100 miles, which can have large impacts.
    • Mr. Sullivan agreed with a topic about sustainable development.
    • Mr. Anderson suggested combining population and land use in one meeting.
  • Mr. Sullivan suggested making the council a resource to small utilities (grants, research) on upcoming burdens, especially emerging contaminants.
    • Mr. Anderson shared that the GEFA study needs next steps on the impacts of a regional incinerator (positive benefits, cost, etc.).
  • Mr. Bennet wants to focus on topic that impact a large number of council members, such as nutrients, how sustainable is nutrient trading (maintenance, future fines), tax incentives for farmers like given to industry, and looking at new ways of improving and putting responsibility on creators of pollution.
  • Mr. Bennet asked if they could ask FEMA to reassess floodplain maps.
    • Mr. Anderson shared that you could do an independent study.
  • Mr. Anderson: Some of the issues can bankrupt utilities or the state.
  • Mr. Bennet also supports the FOG/grease topic and suggested heavier penalties for violators.
  • A visitor suggested developing a template for utilities to grasp operational expenses and how much incoming development could impact them.
    • Mr. Anderson shared that the size and sophistication of utilities across north Georgia varies but agreed it would be good to help asset management practice with the right approach.
  • Mr. McVey shared that septic haulers not finding places to dispose of waste is becoming an issue.

Mr. Anderson summarized the focus topics:

  1. 303d listed streams and nutrients
  2. Biosolids and residuals, septage, FOG, grease
  3. Drought resiliency
  4. Lead and copper
  5. Emerging contaminants
  6. Land use planning and population
  7. Return on investment or benefits of the RWP

Mr. Bennet asked about Alabama reducing nutrients flowing into Lake Weiss and where the measurements are taken. Mr. Crawford echoed concern about the monitoring location.

Next Steps and Wrap Up

The Council discussed fun 20-30 minutes activities and speakers for the interim meetings. Ms. Wood volunteered to speak on darters at the fall 2024 meeting. Council members from Rome volunteered to host the next council meeting in the spring. Mr. Crawford requested an outdoor meeting location at a future meeting, if possible. Mr. Anderson thanked all the council members, visitors, planning contractors, and EPD.

Comments from Non-Council Members, Visitors, or the General Public

No public comments.

 

Council Members Present (12):

  1. Brooke Anderson, Chairman
  2. John Bennett
  3. Mike Berg
  4. Eddie Cantrell
  5. Larry Chapman
  6. Jerry Crawford
  7. Kyle Ellis
  8. Robert Goff
  9. Haynes Johnson
  10. Gary McVey
  11. Alex Sullivan
  12. Allison Watters

Visitors (13)

  1. Kim Goldner, City of Jasper
  2. Anakela (Ani) Escobar, GADNR Coosa Aquatic Biologist
  3. George Kelley, City of Blue Ridge
  4. Laine Kirby Wood, Upper Etowah River Alliance Ex. Director
  5. Tyler Sims, City of Gainesville
  6. Erin Lincoln, Tetra Tech
  7. Jerry Crawford, P&Q Inc
  8. Adam Hazell, GMRC
  9. Robert Leines, CTI Engineers
  10. Gregg Hudock, Freese and Nichols
  11. Tom Killian, CTI Engineers
  12. Stephen Bentekoe, LVRCD
  13. Laurie Hawks, Hawks Environmental

GA Environmental Protection Division

  1. Christine Voudy, GA EPD Council Liaison
  2. Clete Barton, GA EPD, Regulatory Support Program Manager

Freese and Nichols (Planning Contractors)

  1. Paula Feldman
  2. Andrea Druhot

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