October 12, 2026
Meeting Summary: Middle Ocmulgee Council May 14, 2026
Meeting Summary: Middle Ocmulgee Council
To: Middle Ocmulgee Regional Water Planning Council
From: Sarah Skinner, Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center
Subject: Meeting Summary: Middle Ocmulgee Regional Water Planning Council
Meeting Date: May 14,2026
This memorandum provides the meeting summary of the Middle Ocmulgee Regional Water Planning Council Meeting, held at Georgia Forestry Association (551 N Frontage Road Forsyth, GA, 31029) on May 14, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
Welcome and introductions. Chairman’s report. Approval of minutes.
Chairman, Tony Rojas, started the meeting at 10:05 a.m. He expressed appreciation for council members and visitors for their time to be in attendance. He thanked Echo-Tech for sponsoring morning refreshments and the Georgia Forestry Association for hosting the meeting. Lastly, Chairman Rojas commented that he intends to keep to the agenda and make for a timely adjournment of the meeting. Sarah Skinner, Council Lead with the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center (GWPPC), overviewed the meeting agenda and prompted for introductions from around the room. Chairman Rojas asked for a motion to approve the meeting minutes from their last meeting held jointly with the Upper Flint and Upper Oconee councils on October 8, 2025. Minutes were approved by a motion, second, and unanimous vote. Chairman Rojas called for a motion to approve the meeting agenda. The agenda was approved by approved by a motion, second, and unanimous vote.
Updates from Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center
Caitlin Sweeney, Council Support with the Georgia Water Planning and Policy Center (GWPPC) gave a brief presentation on the implementation assessment being created for the Middle Ocmulgee region. The purpose of the document is to highlight water-related projects in the region that implement management practices as outlined in the water plan, summarize progress of implementation and support for the water planning process, and outline council priorities for the next plan update. Ms. Sweeney provided excerpts from these sections, and an example outline of what the final document will look like. Ms. Skinner and Ms. Sweeney asked if any members of the council would be willing to review the document and meet virtually with the GWPPC support team to provide insight into a revision process. The following volunteers were received: Marcie Seleb, Dan Peterson, and Dan Perdue.
Updates from Georgia Environmental Protection Division
Sean Earley, from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GAEPD), introduced himself as the EPD liaison for the Middle Ocmulgee council; and mentioned that the previous liaison, Veronica Craw, has been promoted to Watershed Protection Branch Chief at GAEPD. Mr. Earley briefed the council on the Drought Level 1 declaration made on April 27, 2026, and provided resource links to additional information. He provided a Seed Grant update noting that the next funding cycle for fiscal year 2027 would be announced in July 2026. There was one seed grant awarded in the Middle Ocmulgee region to the University of Georgia (UGA) River Basin Center for a project to advance instream flow evaluations for water planning. Mr. Earley updated the council that the changes to Section 14 of the State Water Plan were effective upon signature by the Governor on May 5, 2026. The council appointments nomination process is to be finalized June 2026 with a deadline for all council appointments to be completed by the end of 2026 calendar year.
Question: What is the status of this region in terms of watershed compliance? Mr. Early replied: there were no specific compliance issues in the MO region, but rather particular challenges for each region
Question: What are the measures in which you recommend an upgrade to drought level or recommend ending a drought declaration? EPD reply: When any part of the state is in drought condition, EPD looks at drought indicators as identified in Rule 391-3-30 for drought management and put out a drought indicator report based on data from the U.S. Drought Monitor
Question: Does EPD have resources municipalities can use to guide education? Jennifer Welte (EPD) identified where resources can be found on the EPD webpage as far as instructions on how municipalities can get information to customers
Data Centers, DRIs, and Development Presentation
Greg Boike from the Middle Georgia Regional Commission provided an overview of data enter activity and zoning actions regarding data centers in the Middle Georgia region. He explained what a DRI is and when it is required based on type of development per the DRI Thresholds Table. Mr. Boike presented statistics on proposed square footage, water demand, and sewer demand from existing data center DRIs in many Middle Georgia counties, as well as, outlined action items that those counties have taken toward increased data center activity. He overviewed the DRI timeline including the initiation of the process by local government through a DRI form, evaluation and date compilation by the local Regional Commission, and outsources DRI information for review and comment period. The Regional Commission accepts comments within a 15-day period to be included in the DRI report that will be delivered back to the host jurisdiction to review and take further action. Mr. Boike concluded his presentation with tables and figures on growing water demands forecasted through the year 2060 and potential future challenges in terms of water resources.
Georgia Forestry Association 2026 Advocacy Issues
Jake Matthews, President of Government Affairs at Georgia Forestry Association (GFA), talked briefly about how GFA is serving as an advocate for the forestry industry with primary focus on addressing property rights, taxes and regulation, and preserving healthy markets. Mr. Matthews explains how the forestry has faced many recent challenges including the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, significant wildfire activity in many parts of the state, and the closing of two major manufacturing facilities resulting in smaller market conditions. He also spoke of great successes due in part to their advocacy, including the signing of House Bill 134 by Governor Kemp that takes existing incentives and enhances them for forestry manufacturers. The GFA was approved $8.9 million toward an innovation initiative in partnership with Georgia Tech to establish pilot facilities to transform low-value wood and mill byproducts into high-value materials. Mr. Matthews mentioned that there has been a depression in prices for lumber with a current high supply and low demand. Lastly, He thanked the council for their time and expressed the importance of their work.
Question: What is the status of property rights, any big issues? Mr. Matthews offered that there have not been big issues concerning property rights.
Question: Where do you go to find out rights on eminent domain? Mr. Matthews offered that rights on eminent domain are regionally dependent and can vary based on specific situation; he typically encourages people in incidents to seek out legal council
Question: Is a correlation between paper loss and data centers? Mr. Matthews noted that [we] have been moving away from paper long before data centers, but that they certainly play a role in the transition; GFA has seen a specific paper and packaging demand decrease, which decreases demand for raw fiber to make packaging materials
Presentation on Water Planning for Data Centers: A Utility Perspective
Brian Keel, Deputy Director of Engineering at Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority, gave a virtual presentation on how their utility plans for sourcing water to data centers. Mr. Keel noted that of the approximate sixteen data centers in Douglas County, GA, many of them differ in terms of water use agreement, water demands, and cooling techniques. Though most of their data centers are not large water users, those that need to be considered in terms of a trade-off for the community. For their utility, when a developer submits water and sewer needs, they must check the need against their water capacity and the water System Master Plan and ensure there is room to cover the planned allocation, including peak demand. The utility must also consider water and sewer line capacity as well as if a development agreement is needed for the developer to extend infrastructure. Mr. Keel highlighted how a partnership with Google resulted in the design and construction of a water reuse plant adjacent to the utility; which was funded by Google.
Question: How do you manage peak demand? Mr. Keel replies that they put all infrastructure costs on the owner/operator to allow them to operate the system for regular users; they agree to provide water and have developed timed trigger points where they will need to outsource water; they tell them that they need to build sufficient onsite storage to maintain a couple days when they cannot supply water
Data Center Discussion
Chairman Tony Rojas asked Mr. Sean Earley to reiterate to the council that there is no obligation to comment on a DRI, but that there is 15-day period to do so. The council members participated in a conversation of the cost and benefit of known data center activity in the Middle Ocmulgee watershed and how they wish to proceed in providing comment on future data center DRIs. A council member asked if there is a Regional Water Planning Council that has done a good job in responding to DRIs, in which Sarah Skinner (GWPPC) provided the council members with examples of language developed by other water planning councils/ districts. Chairman Tony Rojas offers that the council should develop a language to use that includes a statement about the importance of the water resources and point out that things that need to be considered in decision making, specifically, the different systems that need to be looked at, long-term effects on utilities and expense for infrastructure. The council members unanimously agreed to have Chairman Rojas work with the Water Center council support staff to draft language for DRI comment based on the mentioned components in the meeting discussion.
Council Priorities Discussion
Sarah Skinner (GWPPC) reconvened the meeting following a break for lunch and played the video produced by Above the Line Films of the Middle Ocmulgee Region that featured Chairman Tony Rojas and Representative Robert Dickey. Ms. Skinner provided an overview of the Middle Ocmulgee water plan and highlighted where the council currently is in the planning cycle. She led the council members through two activities in which they were to answer the following prompts:
- Looking back over the past 10–15 years, what changes have you observed in how this region manages water supply, stormwater, and resilience—and what lessons should we carry forward into the next planning cycle?
- When you think about the Middle Ocmulgee region 20 years from now, what does “success” look like for our water resources?
- What water-related issues do you think will most influence the region’s ability to grow and thrive over the next five to ten years?
- Regarding water resources in our region, what should we do more of?
- Regarding water resources in our region, what should we do less of?
- Regarding water resources in our region, what should we do differently?
Members of the council participated in a lengthy discussion that focused primarily on water-related challenges that have been seen in the region and how they can better address these challenges in the next water plan update. Many council members expressed concerns over the need for updated wastewater and/or storm water infrastructure in local communities and the lack of funding for such projects. Ongoing development in growing communities continues to get closer to low-lying areas and wetlands, making it harder to supply infrastructure needs. Other water-related issues discussed were the increase of water run-off from impervious surfaces, lack of sites for septage dumping from wastewater treatment plants, and a mention that competing issues are barriers in implementing BMP’s. Council members provided focus points for the next planning cycle to include enforcing public education and outreach, water demand forecasting that includes mega sites, and incorporating real-life changes into modeling. Council members offered personal opinions going forward to making less promises prior to assessing their capability to deliver and more effort in prioritizing the natural environment over the profit. Being financially prepared for addressing water-related issues, having sound water reliability, and overall cleaner surface water is what success would look like for the Middle Ocmulgee region and the regional water planning council.
Public Comments; Closing Remarks; Adjourn
Sharon Cloud with the High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance provided a public comment echoing earlier conversations of impervious surfaces and was able to provide some requested statistics as pertained to water run-off. Ms. Cloud mentioned an increase in data center activity and acreage clearing North of the Toweliga community. She expressed encouragement for the council to participate in education and community engagement opportunities. Sarah Skinner and Chairman Tony Rojas thanked the council once again for their participation and adjourned the meeting at 2:00 p.m.
Meeting Attendance
Council Members/Appointees:
Tony Rojas (Council Chairman)
Fleeta Baggett
Barry Peters
Don Cook
Mike Bilderback
Dan Peterson
Marcie Seleb
Dan Perdue
Robert Dickey
Cassandra Cox
Chad McMurrian
Other attendees:
Michael Melton (Eco-Tech)
Tim Thoms (GA Farm Bureau/Metro Water District)
A.J. Hopkins (Macon Water Authority)
Sharon Cloud (High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance)
Ken Cloud (High Falls Towaliga Watershed Alliance)
Morgan Grizzle (UGA Extension)
Greg Boike (Middle Georgia Regional Commission)
*Brian Keel (Douglasville-Douglas County Water and Sewer Authority)
Chase McClure (Georgia Farm Bureau)
Virginia Thom (Georgia Environmental Finance Authority)
Mark LaRue (Walnut Creek Watershed)
Kevin Sorrow (City of Covington)
Council Support:
Sarah Skinner (GWPPC)
Megan Stanley (GWPPC)
*Laura Rack (GWPPC)
*Caitlin Sweeney (GWPPC)
Sean Earley (GAEPD)
Clete Barton (GAEPD)
Parris Maguire (GAEPD)
Tim Fields (GAEPD)
*Jennifer Welte (GAEPD)
*Online attendance