November 14, 2025

Meeting Summary: Joint Meeting of Coosa-North Georgia & Middle Chattahoochee Councils

Meeting Summary (Draft 

Coosa-North Georgia and Middle Chattahoochee Joint Council Meeting Franklin Community Center

Franklin, GA September 22, 2025

 

Welcome & Introductions

Kristin Rowles, with the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center {GWPPC) started the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Ms. Rowles overviewed the objectives and agenda for the meeting and opened the floor for Coosa-North Georgia {CNG) Chairman Brooke Anderson and Middle Chattahoochee {MC) Vice Chairman Harry Lange to introduce themselves and make opening comments. Mr. Anderson and Mr. Lange remarked on the importance of cross-council communications and expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to meet together.

Council members and GWPPC and GAEPD staff were introduced.

Mr. Ritchie Mullen with the Georgia Forestry Commission made a brief announcement that the new BMP manual is available. He provided printed copies for those interested.

Meeting Overview

Ms. Rowles reviewed the day's agenda. Next, she provided an overview of the steps in the regional water plan development, and she provided a preliminary schedule for the next

planning cycle, which is scheduled to end with submittal of plans to GAEPD in June 2028. She also passed around contact sheets for each Council and asked members to make updates as needed.

Cross-Council Discussion

Council members had small group discussions with members from the other councils. The groups briefly remarked on their discussions noting:

  • Differences in water quantity available between councils/communities.
  • The need for long-term community leadership and awareness of the regional water planning process.
  • The importance of appointing new members with new perspectives.
  • Council members agree that GWPPC staff are providing data and information that helps councils do their work.

Updates from GAEPD

Christine Voudy {GAEPD) said that the funding cycle for the Regional Water Planning Seed Grant Program is currently open with an application deadline of October 31, 2025. Ms. Voudy also presented a new funding opportunity in which Google is offering grants for water conservation, efficiency, and quality projects. Google has a goal to replenish 120% of the freshwater it consumes. Next, Veronica Craw {GAEPD) explained recent staff changes at GAEPD. She noted

that some councils will have a new GAEPD liaison. Ms. Craw next explained that the State Water Council will meet on Water Council will meet on September 29, 2025. Focus groups will be held in the next month or so for regional water council members to offer input to the State Water Council as it considers changes in the State Water Plan. Ms. Craw said that the State Water Council will be discussing Section 14 of the State Water Plan, which addresses regional water council appointments and membership.

Discussion:

  • A council member asked about the types of projects that come to mind for the Google funding. It was clarified that both water quantity and water quality projects are eligible. Projects funded in the past have included reducing water loss and nonpoint source controls. A list of prior projects is available through the Google Request for Information website {https://datacenters.google/water-rfi/).
  • A member asked if these regions have a healthy rate of winning seed grants. It was noted that seed grant awards have been well distributed across the ten water planning regions.
  • Some members asked questions about what the State Water Council is discussing for Section 14 of the State Water Plan. The following clarifications about the process and proposed changes were offered:
    • It was clarified that the proposed Council member terms are six years. Current terms are three years.
    • The State Water Council is seeking to complete its work before the legislative session starts in January so that the Legislature can consider the proposed changes for approval.
    • A list of the members of the State Water Council was provided on a slide later in the meeting.

2025 Population Projections

Kristin Rowles {GWPPC) reviewed how the councils use population projections in water and wastewater forecasts. Then, she introduced Taylor Hafley from the Carl Vinson Institute of Government {CVIOG) to describe the development of population projections and present projections for 2025. Ms. Rowles noted that the 2025 projections were for discussion purposes; the 2026 projections will be used in the next cycle of water planning.

Dr. Hafley described recent population trends in Georgia and described the methods for development of the population projections. He presented region specific projections and distributed handouts to the Council members with county level projections for their water planning regions. Dr. Hafley's slides are available on the Council website.

The following is a summary of discussion of Dr. Hafley's presentation:

  • It was clarified that the figures on international migration include legal and illegal immigration, as estimated annually by the U.S. Census.
  • A member asked how the retirement of baby boomers is reflected in the population trends. It was noted that Georgia has a continuously growing population of working age individuals.
  • A Council member asked if we can expect the same level of response to the U.S. Census as we had in 2020, when many people were at home due to COVID-19. It was noted that Georgia has one of the higher response rates in the Census.

Next, Ms. Rowles asked the council members to break into small groups for discussion of the 2025 population projections. The following is a summary of the comments and questions from the discussions in those groups:

  • Council members asked about the reasons for the changes in Dade, Chattooga, and Muscogee counties.
  • They noted surprise that Whitfield County is growing more than Floyd County.
  • They found the doubling of Carroll and Harris counties to be noteworthy.
  • It was noted that development in Catoosa County is increasing.
  • The Floyd County population number looks close for current levels, but they expect more growth than projected in the handout.
  • Will the next population projections reflect decreases in counties with industrial facility closures?
  • Georgia Pacific and International Paper closings will affect population.
  • Development in Georgia in the Chattanooga area is significant.
  • It is difficult to trust the projections because they don't reflect local trends in economic development.
  • Propose that we create scenarios of projections that better reflect region.
  • Councils should be communicating with their legislators.
  • Need to consider in the projections the expansion of high-speed internet that supports remote work and decreases county-to-county travel to jobs in more population cities.
  • Why did Georgia boom during the 1970s? Speaker said it was births to baby boomers, but the time period does not match. Was it immigration/migration?
  • Troup County only growing by 8,000 between 2020 and 2060 seems very low. Observed has been less than expected but we are seeing lots of new housing.
  • Pickens County {Jasper) is experiencing limitations to growth because wastewater limit keeps industry from moving in. Everyone wants to live in the mountains. The waterauthority serves a lot of the county with water but only provides wastewater within the city limits of Jasper.
  • Gilmer County {Ellijay) faces similar pressures to Pickens County. They have one large poultry processing plant and lots of population growth. They are experiencing a high inflow of retirement age population. Not sure that the Gilmer County numbers look right. Expect more growth than is presented in the projections. Experiencing significant issues in keeping infrastructure up with demand.
  • Concerned that migration is not adequately captured in the projections.
  • Lots of industrial drivers of population are high water users.
  • GA Power building lots of power infrastructure.
  • These numbers are an input, but we need a lot of qualitative information to accompany these. The tables don't tell the whole story.
  • Pay attention to data centers utilizing municipal water.
  • For future presentations, cover birth, death, and migration methods and trends. Cut down on methodology.

In a follow-up discussion after the small groups, the following summary comments were offered by Council members:

  • Consider developing a range of scenarios for the population projections.
  • Population projections are just a part of forecasting water demands.
  • It is important to look at things regionally and not just county by county.
  • Several members noted decreases in populations in the projections for counties where development is known to be increasing. They asked how the projections can better reflect local development. {Dr. Hafley suggested that these members reach out to discuss localized trends.)

Great Wolf Lodge

Allen Headley, General Manager of Great Wolf Lodge Georgia, made a presentation about the Great Wolf Lodge at LaGrange, GA. The lodge in its 8th year of operation at this location. He described the lodge and waterpark and how the lodge manages water in the waterpark. He shared information on water volumes used, pumps, and filters. His slides are available in the slide deck from the meeting.

Discussion points:

  • What is the lifespan of the perlite media? The perlite media in the filters is replaced at least once per month.
  • What water challenges do you face in this region? The lodge has a good relationship and communications with the City of LaGrange around water. They are working with the City as they plan expansion of the lodge at this location. The lodge finds its water management practices are tighter than those required by state regulations.
  • What is driving your plans to expand at this location? The lodge is planning to expand because of the potential for revenue generation.
  • Is there any time in which the water must be drained (from the waterpark)? One time per year when the lodge closes for a week for maintenance {in August).
  • Once you fill up, you are basically just recycling (water)? Yes. We put fresh water in daily to makeup for water loss due to splashing and evaporation.
  • What is the total amount of gallons that the water park operates on? About 500,000 gallons.

Economic Development Trends

Ashley Morris Varnum, Georgia Power, gave a presentation on how Georgia Power supports economic development and describing economic development trends in Georgia. Her slides are available in the meeting slide deck.

Discussion points:

  • Beyond automotive, what is the biggest industrial driver in Georgia? There is an uptake in food manufacturing, life science companies, and aerospace.
  • Are there significant trends that are region specific? Economic development programs are significant in both Coosa-North Georgia and Middle Chattahoochee Regions. Strong development in the Northwest Georgia corridor for power plants, battery plants, and data centers.
  • What is on the horizon? Communities are looking at starting development on industrial sites and planning for industrial parks.

GEFA Funding for Water Projects

The council members heard an update from Brian Woodham with the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority {GEFA) regarding available funding for water projects. Mr. Woodham outlined the 2025 state budget and eligibility requirements for the different core financing programs: Georgia Fund, Clean Water State Revolving Fund, and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Also in his presentation, Mr. Woodham highlighted Emerging Contaminants {PFAS) funding programs, lead service line funding, and the Hurricane Helene Resilience Funding {HRF) allocated for the State of Georgia.

Discussion points:

  • What is WaterFirst? A program facilitated by the Department of Community Affairs that recognizes and rewards communities for successfully implementing city plans.
  • As a part of the Hurricane Helene Resilience Funding program, $9M available to Georgia for septic/sewer projects with 100% principal forgiveness, with a loan max of $2M.
  • What is the relationship between GEFA grants and the work of the Councils? GEFA is offering this presentation to explain what grants are available. Projects that align with regional water plans receive priority for some funding programs. During the breakout council meetings later in this meeting, the Council members will discuss a handout with tables listing GEFA grants {and other funded projects) in their regions.

Public Comment

No public comment.

Adjourn to Individual Council Breakout Meetings

The council chairs made closing remarks and expressed appreciation for the joint meeting. They stressed the importance of inter-council communication and coordination and information sharing. It was suggested that the Councils should consider sending a member as a liaison to each other's meetings. Kristin Rowles thanked the council members and other attendees for participating in the meeting. She prompted the council chairs to gather their members for brief breakout meetings by the individual councils.

Council Member Attendance

Brooke Anderson {Chair - Coosa North GA)

Harry Lange {Vice Chair - Middle Chattahoochee) Gary McVey {Coosa North GA)

Eddie Cantrell {Coosa North GA) Robert Goff {Coosa North GA) Melissa Free {Coosa North GA)

Rebecca Mason {Coosa North GA) Allison Watters {Coosa North GA) Alex Sullivan {Coosa North GA)*

Kim Goldener {Coosa North GA nominee)

James Emery {Middle Chattahoochee) John Asbell {Middle Chattahoochee) Dawson Ingram {Middle Chattahoochee) Mac Moye {Middle Chattahoochee)*

Victoria Barrett {Middle Chattahoochee)*

Jeremy Cummings {Middle Chattahoochee nominee) Stephen Smith {Coosa North GA nominee)

Jason Clifton {Middle Chattahoochee nominee)

Other Attendees 

Taylor Hafley {CVIOG) Brian Woodham {GEFA)

Tony Purcell {Xylem/Flygt)

G. Ritchie Mullen {Georgia Forestry Commission) Anthony Underwood {City of LaFayette)

Steve Bailey {City of LaFayette) Jordan Leitch {Garver)

Beth Cantrell {Heard County Water Authority)

Wayne Haynie {Garver/Heard County Water Authority) Connie Nelms {Heard County Water Authority/Eco-Tech) Chris Manganiello {Chattahoochee Riverkeeper)

Casey Majewski {Brown and Caldwell) Dominic Weatherill {GA Power)

Alan Rothschild {Chattahoochee Riverkeeper) Henry Jacobs {Chattahoochee Riverkeeper)

Laura Schneider {River Valley Regional Commission)

Julianne Meadows {North Georgia Regional Commission) Gus Elliott {OPB)

Ashley Morris Varnum {GA Power) Allen Headley {Great Wolf Lodge) Jamie Farr {Great Wolf Lodge)

Council Support

Kristin Rowles {GWPPC) Mark Masters {GWPPC) Sarah Skinner {GWPPC)

Caitlin Sweeney {GWPPC) Megan Stanley {GWPPC) Russell Nix {GAEPD) Veronica Craw {GAEPD) Timothy Fields {GAEPD)

Parris Maguire {GAEPD) Christine Voudy {GAEPD) Clete Barton {GAEPD)*

*Attended online via Teams


 

  
  

 

Meeting Summary 

Middle Chattahoochee Breakout Council Meeting Franklin Community Center

September 22, 2025

Seed Grant Proposal

Kristin Rowles (GWPPC) shared a handout for a seed grant proposal from the region from Garver. The project would develop a strategic water supply and distribution plan for the Heard County Water Authority (HCWA). HCWA does not have a water plan to guide its investments in infrastructure and plans to address future water needs in the county. The Council members had the following comments and questions about the proposal:

  • What are the actual deliverables for the project?
  • How do the consultant rates compare to others offering similar services?
  • Is there an RFP process for plan development? What is the due diligence plan?
  • Do they need a drought management plan? One would probably be required for the permit renewal.
  • The dates in the proposal handout have mostly passed. Was this something they had planned before or would do anyway?
  • Is this a plan that will need to be updated every 5 years?
  • Heard County has a big area to support with a small number of customers at this time.

The questions will be passed on to the Chair for consideration as the proposal process moves forward.

Review of Implementation Assessment

Handouts of preliminary implementation assessment materials were distributed to Council members. Kristin Rowles, Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center, walked Council members through the objectives of the assessment and the sources of information to date. Then Council members were asked about successes and barriers to implementation of their regional water


September 22, 2025 Meeting Summary

plan and priorities for the next planning cycle. The following were the themes of the discussion:

  • It would be helpful if EPD shared information on drought plans to track which systems are on track and which are not.
  • Consider the ARPA applications list. What didn’t get funded? This might help in identification of needs in the region.
  • Clean Water Act is more than 50 years old, and a lot of wastewater infrastructure is probably in need of updating.
  • It would be helpful to have a needs assessment of all the water systems in the region. Better data and a metrics dashboard would help use to track needs. We could highlight one county at a time.
  • A strategic approach would look at the top of the basin first. Prioritize issues upstream because until those are resolved, issues downstream cannot be fully addressed.
  • We need to look at the opposite of drought. Floods are not very prevalent in our current plan.

These items were noted for future discussion by the Council. The breakout council meeting was adjourned at 3:30 pm.

 

Council Member Attendance 

Harry Lange (Vice Chair) James Emery

John Asbell Dawson Ingram

Jeremy Cummings (nominee) Jason Clifton (nominee)

Council Support

Kristin Rowles (GWPPC) Megan Stanley (GWPPC) Tim Fields (GAEPD)

Other Attendees

Chris Manganiello (Chattahoochee Riverkeeper)


Meeting Summary 

Coosa-North Georgia Breakout Council Meeting Franklin Community Center

September 22, 2025

Approval of Minutes

Chairman Brooke Anderson called the meeting to order. He asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on March 27, 2025. Mr. Eddie Cantrell made a motion that was seconded by Ms. Allison Watters. The motion passed unanimously. Chairman Anderson

announced that the Council would have a regularly scheduled meeting on November 12, 2025, and that Ms. Sarah Skinner would send details soon.

Seed Grant Proposal

Ms. Skinner announced that only one Seed Grant proposal for the region had been submitted at the time of the meeting. The proposal was submitted by the North Georgia Water Resources Partnership. Ms. Skinner asked Chairman Anderson to describe the proposal. The project would revisit the TMDL allocations for Carters, Allatoona, and Weiss Lakes to assess improvements in water quality since the early 2000s when the TMDLs were developed. The project would involve data collection, land cover analysis and BMP inventory, and water quality trend assessment.

The Partnership is seeking the full award amount of $75,000. Chairman Anderson asked for a motion to approve the proposal. Mr. Eddie Cantrell made a motion that was seconded by Mr. Gary McVey. The motion passed unanimously.

Review of Implementation Assessment

Handouts of preliminary implementation assessment materials were distributed to Council members. Ms. Skinner walked Council members through the objectives of the assessment and the sources of information to date. Then Council members were asked about successes and barriers to implementation of their regional water plan and priorities for the next planning cycle. The following were the themes of the discussion:

  • It was mentioned that several grants known to have been awarded in the region were missing from the document:
  • City of Jasper - CWSRF ($4.5 million) and DWSRF ($3.5 million)
    • Emerging contaminant grants (2022)
    • $10 million expansion of wastewater treatment plant (2024)
    • Seed grant for 303(d) listed streams (2021-2022)
    • Nutrient trading (2020)
    • Woodward creek watershed assessment
  • Maps could be improved by designating water quality vs. water supply.
  • Some Seed grants that originated in the CNG region ended up being statewide. The Council asked for follow-up on which Seed grants those were.
  • Comment that the report is very heavy on utilities.
  • Comment about listing self-funded projects in the document.
  • Request to list WaterFirst designated cities in the region, highlighting communities going above and beyond.
  • Members and partners are so overwhelmed with "normal work" that additional tasks can be difficult to keep on track. An anticipated barrier is that the Lead and Copper Rule deadline is coming up in 2027, which could affect utilities' involvement with planning.
  • Depending on what happens with PFOS and PFAS, there could be future challenges on monitoring.
  • Biosolids and data centers will be a challenge.
  • Awareness of the plan is generally well known in the CNG region. Concerned about losing the northeast area due to lack of participation.
  • In 2026 our meetings won't be topic heavy but rather dedicated to setting things up for the plan update.

Other Business

Chairman Anderson asked Ms. Skinner to keep the Council informed about the plan update processes and development of management action of the other Councils. He asked Council members to think about the kind of plan they want to see.

There being no other business, the breakout council meeting was adjourned.

 

Council Member Attendance

Brooke Anderson (Chairman) Eddie Cantrell

Melissa Free Robert Goff

Rebecca Mason Gary McVey

Allison Watters

Kim Goldener (nominee)

Stephen Smith (Coosa North GA nominee)

Council Support Veronica Craw (GA EPD) Parris Maguire (GA EPD) Mark Masters (GWPPC) Russell Nix (GA EPD) Sarah Skinner (GWPPC) Caitlin Sweeney (GWPPC) Christine Voudy (GA EPD)

Related to: