1071 Coalition Holds Successful Kick-off Event and Membership Drive
The 1071 Coalition, aimed at challenging the current water level management practices of Lake Lanier, held a successful kick-off event on Dec. 9 with nearly 350 attendees and more than $10,000 raised. Many thanks to everyone who attended to learn more about the Coalition. With commitments to date of more $150,000, the Coalition is well on its way towards the three-year goal of $700,000.
Due to the recent rainfall, Lake Lanier is up two feet, but we have more than 15 feet to go before it reaches full pool. As history has shown us, uncontrollable droughts will come and go, but what can be controlled is the management of the lake levels by the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps’ approval of the Georgia EPD’s request in November to temporarily reduce releases from Lake Lanier, for instance, was a change in management that could yield more than 11 billion gallons of water in storage in the lake.
Since the Coalition formed in October 2008, more than 100 individuals and organizations have joined our efforts to impact the Corps’ operations policy. (Please read more about our strategy here.) Our short-term priority is to commission an economic impact study, which will cost approximately $200,000. This data will be used to counter information disseminated by adjacent states and to bolster our position in water management discussions.
We need more contributions before we can commission the study, so if you are not already a member, please consider joining today.
Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District Updates Plans, Taking Comments
The Georgia General Assembly created the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District in 2001 to establish policy, create plans and promote intergovernmental coordination of all water issues in the District from a regional perspective. The Metro Water District includes fifteen counties and over ninety cities within metro Atlanta, many of which have representatives that are supporting the 1071 Coalition.
The primary purpose of the Metro Water District is to develop regional and watershed-specific plans for stormwater management, wastewater treatment and water supply and conservation. The following plans are updates to the three comprehensive water plans adopted in 2003 and have been recently released for public review and comment:
- Draft Water Supply and Water Conservation Management Plan
- Draft Long-term Wastewater Management Plan
- Draft Watershed Management Plan
The District is accepting comments through January 31, 2009 online, by email, mail, fax or in person at one of three public meetings being held this week. 1071 Coalition members are encouraged to submit comments in support of the plans. Visit the Metro Water District’s site for more information.
1071 Coalition to Participate in Atlanta Boat Show
The Atlanta Boat Show, being held at the Georgia World Congress Center January 15 – 18, has given the 1071 Coalition complimentary booth space. Coalition members hope that having a presence at the Boat Show may garner support of the coalition from show-goers. In its 47th year, the Atlanta Boat Show will feature more than 200 exhibitors and is expected to draw more than 30,000 attendees. More information on the Boat Show can be found at www.atlantaboatshow.com. |
