November 14, 2025
Meeting Summary: Joint Meeting of Middle Ocmulgee, Upper Flint, & Upper Oconee Councils
Meeting Summary Draft Pending Council Approval
Middle Ocmulgee, Upper Flint, and Upper Oconee Joint Council Meeting Flint Energies
Reynolds, GA October 8, 2025
Welcome & Introductions
Kristin Rowles, with the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center (GWPPC) started the meeting at 10:00 a.m. Upper Flint Council member Donald Chase welcomed the group to Flint Energies. Mr. Chase is a board member for Flint Energies. The chairs of the three councils (Ben Copeland – Middle Ocmulgee , Adam Graft – Upper Flint, Hunter Bicknell – Upper Oconee) made opening remarks about their councils and the benefits of meeting jointly. Next the Council members introduced themselves.
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 noted that videographers who are making outreach videos for the Councils would be in the room taking some footage during the first part of the meeting.
Cross-Council Discussion
Council members had small group discussions with members from the other councils. The groups briefly remarked on their discussions noting that they have some overlapping issues and issues that are unique to each Council. They noted interest among council members in population changes, urban development trends, and data center development.
Updates from GAEPD
Veronica Craw (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. Craw described some personnel changes at GAEPD, and she introduced new Council Liaisons including:
- Sean Earley for Middle Ocmulgee
- Brian Kent for Upper Oconee
- Victoria Adams for Upper Flint
Ms. Craw described the ongoing discussions of the State Water Council to revise Section 14 of the State Water Plan, which addresses regional water council appointments and membership. She described upcoming focus group meetings for input from Council members, a public meeting, and the deadline for written comments. Ms. Rowles noted that Council members are being sent notices of the upcoming focus group meetings, which will be held by videoconference on October 28 and 30.
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:
- Do you use census data for the estimates? The census data is our starting point.
- What happens to population growth during a recession? It would depend on recession and might be region specific. The 2007-2009 recession had lower mobility and decline in fertility, which continues to be lower now than before the recession.
- Would the population shift from Dougherty County to Lee County (for example) be incorporated into these estimates? We keep an eye on South Georgia, where many counties losing population. We work with local entities to ground truth changes for more accurate incorporation into the population estimates.
Next, Ms. Rowles asked the council members to break into small groups for discussion of the 2025 population projections. Members received handouts with the county-level population projections for their region (handouts attached). The following is a summary of the comments and questions from the discussions in those groups:
- County-level comments:
- Some members found the declining projections for their counties surprising (Sumter, Webster, Talbot); others thought the stable or increasing projections for their counties were what they expected (Monroe, Houston, Newton).
- Clarke County is increasing in population, despite its small size, due to UGA and state government office. Bartow County is increasing; it may be the “new Gwinnett County.”
- Growth is anticipated in Dooly County.
- Barrow, Jackson, Walton, Clarke, and Oconee county projections seem a little low. Members were surprised by the school enrollment figure for Oconee County in Taylor’s presentation (too low).
- Putnam and Greene County have land near Lake Oconee for new subdivisions. Is future building in these areas considered in population projections.
- In some areas (e.g., Monroe County), migration into the county from Bibb and Henry Counties are a big driver of population.
- Comments specific to the Upper Flint region:
- Agriculture’s dominance in water use in the Upper Flint means that population levels are less important for water planning.
- Agricultural water use may decrease with increases in efficiency and potentially from less farming.
- Population is declining and that brings challenges. There is a lack of funds for infrastructure to attract development. There are also concerns about increasing water use in the ACF that can come with development.
- Projection planning horizon:
- One group said that long-term trends in population are useful for water planning (40-50 years). Short-term trends are useful for making adjustments in plans, but the long-term trends are more significant.
- Another group said that the 5-10 year horizon was most useful for planning.
- Data centers:
- Data centers offer tax benefits, but could increase water prices.
- Data center water use in Metro could affect water flows in the Upper Flint.
- Data center development drives increased water needs for power generation.
- Data centers are affecting water needs in Newton, Monroe, and Sumter counties specifically. Water consumption may not be that high, but it takes land out of agriculture.
- Some members said they would like to see an interim policy from GAEPD for data center water permitting.
- Can an agricultural water withdrawal permit be transferred to a data center (developed on that land)?
- Can we get current bottom line number on water demand and net consumptive use by data centers? (for the next planning cycle)
- Other comments:
- One member said that the technical information available to the Councils has improved over the past planning cycles. Some members said that they thought the population projections in the prior planning cycle were too low, but think that the new projections are improved.
- Upstream water use is a factor for downstream regions.
- It would be helpful to have information on available capacity at water providers in each county, as well as the overall capacity of the water resources used in each county.
- There is economic potential where water is available.
- Does water service delivery strategy factor into population projections?
- Need projections of solar development, which is also taking land out of agriculture.
Regional Economic Development
Dr. Greg George from Middle Georgia State University made a presentation about economic development trends. Dr. George is the Oliner Professor of Free Market Economics and the director of the Center for Economic Analysis, which he founded at the university. His slides are available in the meeting slide deck.
Dr. George explained how COVID affected the economy. He described how economic trends evolve. He commented on how climate change is expected to increase precipitation in middle Georgia. He said that the state has averages 10% GDP growth and needs migration of young people into the state to support the economy. He commented on the growth of data centers and said that 100% of the second quarter growth in the US economy resulted from data center growth.
In response to a question, Dr. George said that Nashville area data centers use modular uranium nuclear reactors as a power source. In response to another question, he said that data center growth is not in sight at this time; AI will drive development for some time.
GEFA Funding for Water Projects
The council members heard an update from Amanda Carroll with the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) regarding available funding for water projects. Ms. Carroll 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.
In response to a question, Ms. Carroll said that a new treatment plant could qualify for HRF if it is in a floodplain. In response to another question, she clarified that if a project qualifies both as a conservation project and as a WaterFirst project, those qualifications do not “stack” and the project can only receive the benefits of one of those qualifications.
Public Comment
No public comment.
Adjourn to Individual Council Breakout Meetings
The council chairs made closing remarks and expressed appreciation for the joint meeting. Kristin Rowles thanked the council members and other attendees for participating in the meeting. She prompted the council chairs to gather their members for breakout meetings by the individual councils.
Council Member Attendance
Ben Copeland (Acting Chair, Middle Ocmulgee) Adam Graft (Chair, Upper Flint)
Hunter Bicknell (Chair, Upper Oconee) Donald Chase (Upper Flint)
Steve Fry (Upper Flint) Gordon Rogers (Upper Flint) Beth English (Upper Flint) Jack Holbrook (Upper Flint) Brandon Lewis (Upper Flint) Terrell Hudson (Upper Flint) Raines Jordan (Upper Flint)
Jim Littlefield (Upper Flint nominee) Andy Payne (Upper Flint nominee) Bo Minor (Upper Flint nominee) Dick Dowdy (Upper Flint nominee) Tony Rojas (Middle Ocmulgee) Robert Dickey (Middle Ocmulgee) Mike Bilderback (Middle Ocmulgee) Don Cook (Middle Ocmulgee)
Larry McSwain (Middle Ocmulgee) Cassandra Cox (Middle Ocmulgee) Barry Peters (Middle Ocmulgee)
Dan Peterson (Middle Ocmulgee nominee) Chad McMurrian (Middle Ocmulgee nominee) Stuart Cofer (Upper Oconee)
David Keener (Upper Oconee) Jim Dove (Upper Oconee) Jennifer Scott (Upper Oconee) Chris Yancey (Upper Oconee)
Other Attendees Taylor Hafley (CVIOG) Breon Haskett (CVIOG) Amanda Carroll (GEFA)
Sharon Cloud (High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance) Scott Thackston (Georgia Forestry Commission) Morgan Grizzle (UGA Extension)
Madison Luke (UGA Extension)
Laura Schneider (River Valley Regional Commission) Raynor Churchwell (Georgia Farm Bureau)
Brandon Baker (GA WRD – Fisheries) Ron Shipman (MWA)
Mike Hopkins (NCWSA) Nathan Hester (JCWSA)
Liz Jurado (IB Environmental)
Greg George (Middle Georgia State University) John Clayton (Hazen & Sawyer)*
Britt Davis (GA Power)*
Vic Engel (Metro Water District)*
Council Support
Kristin Rowles (GWPPC) Sarah Skinner (GWPPC) Megan Stanley (GWPPC) Gail Cowie (GWPPC) Laura Rack (GWPPC) Russell Nix (GAEPD) Veronica Craw (GAEPD) Timothy Fields (GAEPD) Parris Maguire (GAEPD) Victorica Adams (GAEPD) Sean Earley (GAEPD) Brian Kent (GAEPD) Clete Barton (GAEPD) Jennifer Welte (GAEPD) Wei Zeng (GAEPD)
*Attended online via Teams
| County | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2025 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | 2060 | |
| Bibb | 153,358 | 156,268 | 157,448 | 157,413 | 159,157 | 161,099 | 162,343 | 163,301 | |
| Butts | 19,596 | 23,804 | 25,586 | 27,432 | 28,838 | 31,056 | 32,725 | 34,007 | |
| Crawford | 12,350 | 12,561 | 12,084 | 12,404 | 12,524 | 12,268 | 11,750 | 11,078 | |
| Houston | 111,064 | 140,898 | 164,839 | 177,118 | 186,509 | 200,906 | 212,810 | 221,535 | |
| Jasper | 11,469 | 13,895 | 14,668 | 17,477 | 18,674 | 20,522 | 22,068 | 23,270 | |
| Jones | 23,686 | 28,579 | 28,366 | 29,251 | 30,066 | 31,317 | 32,086 | 32,527 | |
| Lamar | 16,000 | 18,200 | 18,486 | 20,924 | 22,070 | 23,513 | 24,496 | 25,249 | |
| Monroe | 21,766 | 26,137 | 28,068 | 31,832 | 33,499 | 36,250 | 38,565 | 40,277 | |
| Newton | 62,622 | 100,121 | 112,902 | 126,652 | 138,942 | 161,729 | 183,853 | 205,571 | |
| Peach | 23,805 | 28,105 | 28,062 | 29,452 | 30,467 | 32,398 | 34,268 | 36,234 | |
| Pulaski | 9,632 | 11,846 | 9,751 | 10,166 | 10,079 | 9,650 | 9,070 | 8,518 | |
| Twiggs | 10,508 | 8,961 | 7,986 | 7,743 | 7,694 | 7,309 | 6,841 | 6,400 | |
| 475,856 | 569,375 | 608,246 | 647,864 | 678,519 | 728,017 | 770,875 | 807,967 | ||
| County | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2025 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | 2060 | |
| Crisp | 21,975 | 23,232 | 19,850 | 19,407 | 19,052 | 18,290 | 17,399 | 16,360 | |
| Dooly | 11,481 | 14,634 | 10,936 | 11,120 | 10,806 | 10,183 | 9,536 | 8,981 | |
| Macon | 13,969 | 14,562 | 11,932 | 11,840 | 11,660 | 11,128 | 10,513 | 9,909 | |
| Marion | 7,157 | 8,642 | 7,435 | 7,622 | 7,529 | 7,261 | 6,916 | 6,528 | |
| Meriwether | 22,453 | 21,749 | 20,569 | 21,525 | 21,775 | 21,547 | 20,860 | 20,104 | |
| Pike | 13,525 | 17,887 | 18,939 | 20,918 | 22,005 | 23,560 | 24,601 | 25,108 | |
| Schley | 3,750 | 4,937 | 4,478 | 4,515 | 4,471 | 4,372 | 4,262 | 4,101 | |
| Spalding | 58,294 | 64,111 | 67,490 | 71,420 | 75,445 | 80,589 | 84,155 | 86,948 | |
| Sumter | 33,296 | 32,635 | 29,536 | 28,902 | 28,741 | 28,439 | 27,852 | 27,082 | |
| Talbot | 6,530 | 6,835 | 5,673 | 5,753 | 5,732 | 5,527 | 5,187 | 4,898 | |
| Taylor | 8,796 | 8,827 | 7,799 | 7,791 | 7,730 | 7,511 | 7,174 | 6,837 | |
| Upson | 27,647 | 27,179 | 27,853 | 28,571 | 29,453 | 30,360 | 30,566 | 30,444 | |
| Webster | 2,394 | 2,756 | 2,312 | 2,273 | 2,196 | 2,046 | 1,899 | 1,786 | |
| 231,267 | 247,986 | 234,802 | 241,657 | 246,595 | 250,813 | 250,920 | 249,086 | ||
| County | 2000 | 2010 | 2020 | 2025 | 2030 | 2040 | 2050 | 2060 | |
| Baldwin | 44,600 | 45,571 | 43,642 | 43,617 | 43,630 | 43,681 | 42,598 | 41,575 | |
| Barrow | 46,343 | 69,553 | 83,903 | 98,718 | 109,721 | 128,946 | 145,446 | 158,268 | |
| Clarke | 102,110 | 117,443 | 128,605 | 131,807 | 139,198 | 154,099 | 163,943 | 169,407 | |
| Greene | 14,372 | 16,006 | 19,051 | 21,553 | 23,329 | 24,833 | 25,137 | 25,344 | |
| Hancock | 10,012 | 9,442 | 8,753 | 8,713 | 8,735 | 8,607 | 8,276 | 7,956 | |
| Jackson | 41,747 | 60,841 | 76,859 | 96,005 | 107,625 | 130,917 | 154,185 | 175,229 | |
| Laurens | 44,833 | 48,564 | 49,749 | 50,493 | 51,509 | 53,042 | 53,887 | 53,933 | |
| Morgan | 15,499 | 17,953 | 20,272 | 22,144 | 23,074 | 24,593 | 26,025 | 27,382 | |
| Oconee | 25,857 | 33,033 | 42,128 | 45,383 | 49,192 | 57,634 | 66,951 | 74,889 | |
| Putnam | 18,802 | 21,157 | 22,141 | 23,633 | 24,677 | 26,258 | 27,471 | 28,792 | |
| Walton | 61,171 | 84,090 | 97,205 | 111,865 | 121,732 | 138,299 | 151,438 | 161,286 | |
| Washington | 21,151 | 21,071 | 19,926 | 19,826 | 19,787 | 19,585 | 19,224 | 18,684 | |
| Wilkinson | 10,146 | 9,529 | 8,844 | 8,647 | 8,599 | 8,366 | 7,963 | 7,522 | |
| 456,643 | 554,253 | 621,078 | 682,404 | 730,808 | 818,860 | 892,544 | 950,267 | ||
To: Middle Ocmulgee Regional Water Planning Council From: Sarah Skinner (GWPPC)
Date: October 8, 2025
Subject: Middle Ocmulgee Council (UOC) Meeting Summary
This memorandum provides the meeting summary of the Middle Ocmulgee Regional Water Planning Council Breakout Meeting, held in person at joint meeting of Upper Oconee, Middle Ocmulgee, and Upper Flint Regional Water Planning Councils held October 8, 2025 from 2:30 PM to 2:50 PM (location: Flint Energies Headquarters, 3 South Macon St., Reynolds, GA 31076).
Election of Chair and Vice Chair
Ms. Sarah Skinner announced that due to the presence of a two-thirds majority of active members, the Council could proceed with the election of Chair and Vice Chair in accordance with the Middle Ocmulgee Council Operating Procedures adopted in 2016. She asked Acting Chair Ben Copeland, Jr. to explain the steps taken leading up to the vote. He explained that GWPPC and GA EPD staff had reviewed the Operating Procedures to determine a quorum. GWPPC informed the Council on September 29 that a vote would take place at this meeting and shared a slate of nominees: Tony Rojas as Chair and Ben Copeland, Jr. as Vice Chair. Mr. Copeland asked for nominations from the floor. There being none; the Council proceeded with the vote for the proposed slate. The slate was unanimously approved.
Approval of Minutes
Mr. Copeland asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the meeting on June 4, 2025. Mr. Tony Rojas made a motion that was seconded by Rep. Robert Dickey. The motion passed unanimously. Ms. Sarah Skinner announced that the Council’s next regular meeting would take place in the first quarter of 2026 and would work with Mr. Tony Rojas on content. She asked that Council members share ideas for content with her.
Implementation Assessment Preliminary Materials
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:
- Newton County Seed grant may be missing from the list of projects
- A question was asked about new water usage that is requested and not outlined in the plan. New/high usage will be addressed in the permitting process. The model will make sure there is water in the permit to accommodate new requests.
- Industrial and energy forecasting will help to show data center water usage.
- The Council would like a presentation on data centers at the meeting next year.
- The Council would like to see more on economic development. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Meeting attendance
Council Members:
- Ben Copeland, Jr. (Acting chair)
- Tony Rojas
- Rep. Robert Dickey
- Cassandra Cox
- Larry McSwain
- Barry Peters *
- Chad McMurrian (nominee)
- Don Peters (nominee)
* Barry Peters called in for the election of Chair and Vice Chair to give us a two-thirds majority.
Planning Contractors:
Sarah Skinner, Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center
Upper Flint Breakout Council Meeting Flint Energies
October 8, 2025
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 for comments about the handout and also about successes and barriers to implementation of their regional water plan and priorities for the next planning
cycle. Several members made comments on additional water-related projects in the region (beyond those in the tables). It was noted that the tables were not comprehensive. Many water-related projects are funded without grant or GEFA loan support.
Discussion summary:
- Buena Vista has done work on its sewer system. This was possibly funded by ARPA.
- Griffin has invested $55 million in upgrades to its water infrastructure.
- USDA is funding projects to address Hurricane Helene damage in Dooly and Crisp counties.
- GA-FIT funds for DroughtSWAP and other improvements in agricultural water management were made with ARPA funds in the Lower Flint-Ochlockonee and Upper Flint regions.
- Funds for the SkyWater project were invested in the Lower Flint-Ochlockonee region.
- The City of Williamson (Pike County) invested $700,000 in ARPA and SPLOST funds in improvements to reduce water loss.
- UGA is building a precision agriculture demonstration program outside of the Perry fairgrounds. The Council might wish to partner with this program.
- 319(h) funds are being directed toward dirt road best management practices in the region.
- Griffin has been working on an OASIS model related to its water storage operations with Hazen & Sawyer. It will help them to hold off on pumping from the Flint during drought. It is changing Griffin’s drought management triggers. It was noted that Griffin has about 3.5 billion gallons of storage, or approximately 304 days worth of storage.
- Griffin is also implementing drainage improvements with GEFA funds. (It was noted that the most recent year of GEFA funding was missing from the tables.)
- County public works in Dooly, Crisp, and Macon have been improving dirt roads. Also, in the Elkins Creek watershed, there is a dirt road crossing site near a new subdivision (uphill from the site); this was note as a target for a dirt road improvement.
- The importance of showing leverage of outside resources would be important to demonstrate to the legislature.
Data Centers
Vice Chair Gordon Rogers suggested that the Council should consider a policy on data centers in the near future, rather than waiting for the next planning cycle. He asked whether the Council had a process to amend the current plan. He commented that data centers are a threat to agriculture because they could drive up electricity rates, which would affect the cost of irrigation. He said that data center use water not just on-site, but also where the energy is produced to serve the data center’s energy demands. The following is a summary of the discussion of Mr. Roger’s proposal:
- Counties are struggling with how to address data centers in their zoning. It was noted that Pike and Dooly counties have data center ordinances.
- Data centers usually buy water from the local municipal water provider. They generally are not requesting withdrawal permits from GAEPD.
- If a data center buys farmland, can the agriculture water withdrawal permit be transferred for the data center use? A GAEPD representative did not have the definite answer to that question. It was noted that, at this time, no data centers have come to GAEPD to request a water withdrawal permit.
- It is unlikely that GAEPD would take a statewide approach restricting data centers because some regions want to attract them.
- Some large companies in this sector are seeking to offset their water use (e.g., recent Request for Information by Google for water offset projects).
- Municipal wastewater facilities have questions about the chemical composition of the cooling blowdown from data centers.
- Dooly and Crisp County are experiencing possible data center development at this time.
Mr. Rogers made a motion to create a subcommittee of the Council to develop recommendations about data centers to bring back to the council, including a possible plan amendment. Terrell Hudson seconded the motion. The motion was approved by consensus of the council members. Kristin asked for volunteers to serve on the committee; the following will serve: Gordon Rogers, Adam Graft, and Andy Payne.
Discussion of Proposed Changes to the State Water Plan
Council members asked to discuss the changes proposed by the State Water Council to Section 14 of the State Water Plan. Members expressed concerns about the reduction in the number of council members. Some said they did not see the need for the change. It was clarified that local government seats include both county and city elected official seats. It was suggested the local officials who are appointed, rather than elected, should be able to qualify for the local government seats. Council members are invited to participate in focus groups on October 28th and 30th about the proposed changes. Information about these meetings has been emailed to council members by the planning support contractor. Council members also noted the importance of education and outreach to smaller communities about regional water planning.
Seed Grant Proposal
Kristin Rowles (GWPPC) said that at this time there were no summaries of seed grant proposals for this region, but one or more grant proposals are expected for this region. Laura Schneider from the River Valley Regional Commission explained a potential seed grant from her organization. That project would develop a watershed management plan for a priority watershed in the Upper Flint region in the Webster/Marion/Sumter county area. It would seek to address water quality impairments (E. coli, biota). The Council members had no objections to this idea, and it is expected that RVRC will submit such a proposal. Gordon Rogers and Brandon Lewis volunteered to support Chair Graft in reviewing seed grant proposals for the region.
The breakout council meeting was adjourned at 3:40 pm.
Council Member Attendance
Adam Graft (Chair)
Gordon Rogers (Vice Chair) Donald Chase
Steve Fry Beth English
Jack Holbrook Brandon Lewis Terrell Hudson Raines Jordan
Jim Littlefield (nominee) Andy Payne (nominee) Bo Minor (nominee)
Council Support
Kristin Rowles (GWPPC) Megan Stanley (GWPPC) Victoria Adams (GAEPD) Veronica Craw (GAEPD)
To: Upper Oconee Regional Water Planning Council From: Dr. Gail Cowie and Dr. Laura Rack (GWPPC)
Date: October 10, 2025
Subject: Upper Oconee Council (UOC) Meeting Summary (subject to Council review and approval)
This memorandum provides the meeting summary of the Upper Oconee Regional Water Planning Council Breakout Meeting, held in person at joint meeting of Upper Oconee, Middle Ocmulgee, and Upper Flint Regional Water Planning Councils held October 8, 2025 from 2:30 PM to 3:20 PM (location: Flint Energies Headquarters, 3 South Macon St., Reynolds, GA 31076).
A quorum of members was not present at the meeting and the summary of the March 14, 2025 Council meeting could not be voted upon. Council Chair Hunter Bicknell authorized an email vote on approval of the March 14, 2025 meeting summary after the meeting. The remainder of the meeting was general discussion of five topics.
- Proposed revisions to State Water Plan, Section 14
In a presentation earlier in the day, Veronica Craw from EPD introduced proposed revisions to the State Water Plan and described two upcoming focus groups for members to provide feedback on the proposal. Council members provided initial reactions during the break-out meeting, including the following:
- The proposed changes weigh membership more heavily toward elected officials. Some representation by elected officials is definitely needed. However, they are often too busy to make our meetings and none of the current elected members who serve on the Council are here today.
- A membership of 15 will be too thin on knowledge and understanding of the various water use sectors that Section 14 says should be represented on the Council. It will also be too thin on knowledge about water resources and their use in different counties, such as the realities of localities that cross basin divides.
- Revision of the plans is less intensive than development of the initial plan and some members may feel they are not as important with fewer public interests engaged in the planning process.
- There is already a challenge in meeting quorum and fewer members with more elected officials will make that harder.
In closing, Gail Cowie reiterated information on EPD’s upcoming focus groups, which gives Council members a chance to voice these concerns in comments to directly to EPD. She stated that EPD’s full public notice and call for comments from EPD will be emailed to the full Council after the meeting.
- Joint meeting sessions
Council members indicated that the joint meeting that preceded the break-out meeting were very useful. They were a reminder that Council members are tasked with being good stewards of the region’s water resources. Members enjoyed talking with people from other councils and hearing about similarities and differences on water resource challenges and priorities in different council regions. One member raised a concern about Piedmont Water’s rates for water service in the Upper Oconee area, suggesting to EPD that the governing state law should be changed.
- Implementation assessment
Laura Rack provided a preliminary overview of the regional water planning implementation assessment report under development for the Upper Oconee Region. The report focuses on the period 2020-2025.
The objective for the assessments is to provide the councils, EPD, and stakeholders with information on the following:
- Water-related projects in each region that support implementation of management practices
- Progress in implementing and supporting the regional water planning process (e.g., resource assessment improvements, appointments)
- Implementation highlights
- Council priorities for the next planning cycle
Information sources used to date include the following as been gathered from several sources to identify projects in the council regions. Georgia Environmental Finance Authority provided information on projects funded through the Clean Water State Revolving Fund, Drinking Water State Revolving Fund. Georgia Environmental Protection Division provided information on Section 319(h) Nonpoint Source grants and Regional Water Planning Implementation Seed grants. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service provided information on funding through the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP).
When asked for feedback, Council members suggested other funding sources that should be included. The Governor’s website has information on projects funded via the federal American Recovery Plan Act (ARPA). Members also asked about included bond-funded projects. Revenue bonds fund a significant portion of the investment in water and sewer infrastructure, partly because GEFA’s funding limits are relatively low. A bond broker should be able to pull a list of all the revenue bonds issued in certain time periods and those will include project descriptions. Jennifer Scott offered to contact the bond agent she works with about being in touch with GWPCC staff on this.
Laura Rack asked members for other ideas on what is most important for the implementation assessment going forward. Members agreed that it’s important to focus on implementation of water and wastewater management practices by local governments and utilities. Maintenance planning and investment by water and sewer providers is particularly important. This has been a long-standing issue, and more progress is being made now because EPD is requiring that all utilities develop asset management plans. Lack of maintenance means more leaks, so annual reports on water loss rates and frequency of reported sewer spills may be a way to look at progress in infrastructure maintenance. EPD has data for both of these.
Council members noted two highlights of water plan implementation in the Upper Oconee region: benefits of better water quality and better communication and cooperation among water and sewer providers. Utilities are cooperating to share resources and looking at redundancy. For example, Barrow and Brazelton cooperate on water and wastewater services, and Barrow and Jackson have a water sales agreement as do Jackson and Hall counties.
- Suggestions for February 2025 meeting
Gail Cowie asked Council members for suggestions for the next Council meeting, tentatively scheduled for February 2026. Chair Bicknell noted that there are a lot of challenges in the region and it would help to get more of the water operators involved. This may be challenging given the number of utilities in the region, some of which are small and have limited staff capacity. To address this, members recommend greater engagement with water utilities at the administration, engineering, and operations level. The best level to engage will depend on the utility. Providing education for operators would be useful, which could be done through operator training programs. More engagement with Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP) and Georgia Rural Water Association (GRWA) would help bridge this gap.
Members agreed that representatives from GAWP and GRWA should be invited to speak at the next meeting and address the following:
- The activities each association has underway that relate to the regional water plans
- Ways to improve their members’ knowledge about the Upper Oconee Regional Water Plan
- The needs or opportunities they hear from their members in the UO region
- Ways to improve information exchange between their members and the Upper Oconee Regional Water Planning Council
- Seed grant proposals
Gail Cowie briefed the Council on two RWP Implementation Seed Grants under development for the Upper Oconee Region. One will be submitted by Athens-Clarke County and a project description was not available prior to the meeting. The second will be submitted by the University of Georgia River Basin Center and, if funded, will provide the Council with additional information for the assessment of surface water availability. The project will focus on flows needed to support recreational use and habitat for aquatic animals and plants that can be considered by the Council during the upcoming plan revision.
Council members responded that the project sounded good and it would be useful to have this information. Gail will work with Chair Bicknell on submitting letters of support for the seed grant projects as full project descriptions become available.
Meeting Attendance
Council Members*
- Hunter Bicknell (Chair)
- Stuart Cofer (Vice-Chair)
- Jim Dove
- Jennifer Scott
- Chris Yancey
* David Keener attended the joint meeting but was unable to join the Council break-out session.
Georgia EPD Staff
- Jennifer Welte
- Russell Nix
- Parris McGuire
- Brian Kent
Planning Contractors
- Gail Cowie, Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center
- Laura Rack, Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center