March 11, 2026

Meeting Materials: Coosa-North Georgia RWP Council Nov. 12, 2025

Meeting Materials:

Meeting Agenda: 

 

Meeting Summary:

 

Meeting Summary: Coosa-North Georgia Council

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

From: Sarah Skinner, Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center Christine Voudy, Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Subject: Meeting Summary: CNG Regional Water Planning Council Meeting, November 12, 2025

Date: March 3, 2026

Welcome and Introductions. Chairman’s Report. Approval of Minutes.

Chairman Brooke Anderson called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. He welcomed attendees, introduced representatives from the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center (GWPPC) and Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD), and invited council members and observers to introduce themselves. He noted informational materials from the Georgia Forestry Commission were available for members. He also prefaced the topic of the meeting by referencing ongoing challenges related to landfill disposal of biosolids. A motion was made and approved to adopt the minutes from the September 22, 2025 joint council meeting in Franklin, GA.

Updates from the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center

Ms. Sarah Skinner provided information on upcoming regional water planning webinars and encouraged members to register, noting she would follow up with email links. She reviewed progress on implementation assessments for each council. Chairman Anderson requested volunteers to serve on a small committee (3–5 members) to review and discuss the assessments; Gary McVey, Keith Coffey, Brandon Whitley, Alex Sullivan, and Chairman Anderson volunteered.

Sarah also shared details about the upcoming ACF Waters Conference and noted a scheduling conflict with the Partnership Summit.

Updates from Georgia Environmental Protection Division

Chairman Anderson encouraged members to consider submitting comments on Seed grants and proposed changes to the State Water Plan prior to the deadline. Ms. Christine Voudy reported that the Seed grant application period has closed and is now under review, noting this cycle received one of the highest numbers of applications to date and will be highly competitive. She recognized the CNG Council’s success with past awards and referenced a current proposal focused on water quality monitoring for Lake Allatoona, Weiss Lake, and Carters Lake, incorporating data from previous Seed grants and 319(h) projects. Twelve total applications were submitted statewide.

Ms. Jennifer Welte summarized recommendations to the State Water Council, including proposed changes to council composition and memorandums of agreement. She reported strong attendance at focus groups and noted recordings are available online. Proposed changes could reduce council membership to 15, which would also lower quorum requirements. Chairman Anderson expressed concern about quorum challenges and confusion surrounding member terms and reappointments, emphasizing the need for clarity prior to the 2026 plan revision cycle. Council members discussed term length (suggesting four years rather than six), attendance expectations, and representation balance among agriculture, forestry, and municipalities. Members also discussed how proposed structural changes could affect county representation, noting that Coosa North Georgia’s counties may not each have representation under a revised structure.

Biosolids and Residuals in Georgia: Regulatory Framework

Mr. Benoit Causse reviewed biosolids disposal methods under the state’s Sludge Management Plan, including monitoring, reporting, and applicable state and federal regulations. Discussion included potential future PFAS regulations and considerations for land application. Mr. William Cook explained that solid waste permitting and environmental monitoring fall under the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act of 1990, primarily addressing composting and landfilling. He reviewed 2021 amendments to the High Moisture Content Waste Management Plan and reporting requirements. It was clarified that facilities may accept sludge as long as they have permitted capacity and safe handling measures. Coordination between GA EPD and the Department of Agriculture was discussed, particularly regarding land application verification and groundwater monitoring requirements tied to permits.

GEFA Biosolids Assessment and Prepared Study

Ms. Bernadette Drouhard presented findings from the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority (GEFA) Statewide Biosolids Assessment and Prepared Study, comparing Georgia’s solids use and disposal practices to national trends. She outlined study components, including 2060 solids projections based on population forecasts and regional commission comparisons. Survey data indicated that drying costs nearly doubled between 2018 and 2020.

Special Presentation: Sheriff’s JeepFest

Sheriff Donnie Craig and Captain Chris Leake with the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office provided a special presentation about Sheriff’s JeepFest, a very popular local event that raises money for children’s charities throughout the state and provides a very large economic impact regionally.

Regional Biosolids Management Solutions

Mr. Tid Griffin discussed plans for a regional biosolids processing facility in Jefferson, GA, designed to handle 300–400 wet tons per day and reduce landfill burdens. He described Griffin Residuals’ role in designing and investing in biosolids infrastructure. The group discussed treatment technologies, including thermal drying, gasification, and emerging methods for PFAS reduction, noting cost and energy considerations. Estimated shipping costs range from $120–$130 per ton, with tipping fees averaging $20–$30. Phase 2 of the facility will include preprocessing equipment to and allow co-digestion of food waste to generate methane for energy. Pelletization and alternative technologies such as acidification were also discussed.

FOG Programs: A Sewer System’s First Line of Defense

Ms. Jennifer Brandon highlighted the importance of FOG (Fats, Oils, and Grease) programs in preventing sewer line buildup and sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), particularly from restaurant sources. She noted challenges from nonpoint sources such as residential areas and apartment complexes. Grease interceptor limits typically range from 100–300 mg/L. Education and BMP outreach are key components of the program, including potential use of geofencing technology for targeted messaging. The program partners with industry to recycle grease into biodiesel and conducts educational outreach in schools. Clayton County experiences approximately 40–50 SSOs annually, with increased incidents during COVID due to more residential activity.

Planning Discussion and Next Steps

Chair Anderson reminded members that the next plan revision is scheduled for the third quarter of 2026 and emphasized the goal of resolving council reappointments and new appointments by June 2026.

Chair Anderson adjourned the meeting at 1:47 p.m.

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

No public comments.

 

Council Members:

  1. Brooke Anderson, Chairman
  2. Mike Berg
  3. Eddie Cantrell
  4. Brandon Whitley
  5. Keith Coffey
  6. Robert Goff
  7. Alex Sullivan
  8. Gary McVey
  9. John Bennett
  10. Allison Watters
  11. Melissa Free (virtual)
  12. Buddy Moore (nominee)
  13. Kim Goldener (nominee)
  14. George Kelley (nominee)

Visitors:

  1. Jennifer Arp, Cherokee County WSA
  2. G. Ritchie Mullen, Georgia Forestry
  3. Steve Bailey City of LaFayette
  4. Anthony Underwood, City of LaFayette
  5. Gretchen Lugthart, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
  6. Julianne Meadows, Northwest Georgia Regional Commission
  7. Jennifer Brandon, Clayton County Water Authority
  8. Bernadette Drouhard, Black & Veatch
  9. Rahul Sawant, Black & Veatch
  10. Tim Blaydes, Black & Veatch
  11. Tid Griffin, Griffin Residuals
  12. Winton Cooper, GEFA
  13. Chase McClure, Georgia Farm Bureau

GA Environmental Protection Division

  1. Russell Nix (Regional Water Planning Unit Manager)
  2. Christine Voudy (Council Liaison)
  3. Jennifer Welte
  4. Clete Barton
  5. Tim Fields
  6. Parris Maguire
  7. Benoit Causse
  8. William Cook

Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center (Planning Contractors)

  1. Sarah Skinner
  2. Meagan Stanley (virtual)
  3. Kristin Rowles (virtual)

 

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