GregLS
10-15-07, 12:18 PM
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http://www.uspirg.org/news-releases/our-rivers-lakes-and-streams/our-rivers-lakes-and-streams/petition-to-nominate-the-headwaters-of-the-conasauga-river-as-outstanding-national-resource-waters
Our Rivers, Lakes And Streams News
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For Immediate Release:
7/3/2007
Contact:
Jennette Gayer, (404) 892-3573
Christy Leavitt, 202-546-9707 x313
John Rumpler, 617-747-4306
Georgia
Petition to Nominate the Headwaters of the Conasauga River as Outstanding National Resource Waters
Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center and the Southern Environmental Law Center hereby nominate a segment of the Conasauga River for Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) protections under Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391.3-6-.03(2)(c).
The section of the Conasauga River nominated for designation contains the headwaters of the river within the Cohutta Wilderness Area and runs to the Alaculsy Valley. The drainage area will encompass Fannin, Murray and Gilmer Counties. The watershed or drainage area is entirely owned and managed by the US National Forest Service and therefore eligible for public nomination as an ONRW. The attached map shows the upstream and downstream extent of the river sections to be designated, as well as the resulting drainage area or tributary watershed. (Attachment A). This ‘headwaters’ portion of the Conasauga is truly a state treasure with high scenic, ecologic, and recreational value.
Rivers, or portions thereof, are eligible for designation and protection under Georgia ONRW regulations provided that the “segments have outstanding value as an aquatic resource, which may derive from the presence of exceptional ecological or recreational attributes or from the presence of unique or sensitive ecosystems.”[2] The proposed stretch of the Conasauga unquestionably meets the stated criteria. The information set forth below shows that the section of the Conasauga nominated for ONRW designation meets the criteria set forth within the “Procedures for Selection of ONRW”
Previous Waterway Designations
Segments of the Conasauga River, including the stretch nominated for ONRW designation, have been designated by the Environmental Protection Division as a state “Wild and Scenic” river.[3] With a Wild and Scenic River designation the state has taken one step towards safeguarding the natural beauty and high quality water present in the Conasauga’s headwaters.
The proposed segment is also classified by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division as a primary trout stream.[4] Indeed, the North Georgia Fishing Round-up reports that the 15-mile stretch of the Conasauga River within the Cohutta Wilderness Area is “considered by those in the know to be one of the top 100 trout streams in the nation,” and “is excellent fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, and Georgia’s only truly native trout species, the diminutive brook trout.”[5]
Existing Water Quality is High
Water quality in the segment of the Conasauga River nominated for ONRW designation is high. The headwaters of the Conasauga fully support the state designated water use classifications for wild and scenic, and fishing.[6] The subject segment has never been placed on subsequent 305(b) or 303(d) lists maintained by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
High Ecological Value
The headwaters of the Conasauga River feed one of the most biodiverse river ecosystems in the country. Clean and cool water generated within the headwaters are essential for fish and mussel populations present downstream, where the Conasauga River meets the Jacks River in Georgia and passes briefly into Tennessee. These downstream hotbeds support a broad diversity of aquatic animals. More than 90 different fish species live in the river, along with 25 species of freshwater mussels, many of them unusual. According to Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division, there are scores of animals, plans and communities of special concern in the Conasauga River watershed. (See Attachment B[7]). Twelve of these fish and mussel species are protected by federal endangered or threatened species status.[8] The segment nominated for designation is also an important habitat in its own right. Surveys by the National Forest Service have found abundant or common populations of several varieties of shiners, bass and darters.[9]
Exceptional Recreational or Aesthetic value
In addition to being a draw to Georgia’s trout fisherman and aquatic scientists the segment nominated for designation is a highlight of the surrounding Cohutta Wilderness Area. The proposed ONRW also feeds a well know snorkeling hole located on the Conasauga just beyond the Georgia-Tennessee border.
Community Support for ONRW Designation is Strong
A variety of stakeholders have already voiced support for an ONRW designation along the headwaters of the Conasauga. See attached letters (Attachment C). The community surrounding the watershed relies heavily on the tourism industry which is drawn to the outdoor recreation opportunities in the north Georgia mountains. Case studies in other states show that ONRW designation can have a positive influence on the decision of prospective vacationers and home buyers who prioritize unspoiled wilderness.[10]
Local landowners and governments are also eager to find ways to safeguard the natural character of their communities. The strong commitment of local governments to stewardship and conservation is evidenced by the fact that Fannin, Murray and Gilmer counties are all certified as Local Issuing Authorities and have adopted local stormwater ordinances under Georgia’s Erosion and Sedimentation.[11]
Conclusion
The segment of the Conasauga River nominated in this application clearly meets the criteria for designation as an Outstanding National Resource Water. Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center is ready and willing to present the above information as required. Protection is appropriate and essential to ensure the continued health of the River and to preserve the unique features of this exceptional waterway for generations to come. Accordingly we respectfully ask Georgia DNR to recommend these sections of the Conasauga River for designation as an ONRW.
[1] EPD, Procedures for Selection of ONRW, June 2004.
[2] Id.
[3] Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-3-6-03(13).
2 Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-3-6-.03(15)(b).
[5] Kevin Dallimer, North Georgia Fishing Round-up, downloaded from http://ngeorgia.com/adventure/fishing_roundup.html, 25 June 2007.
[6] http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi-bin/ggpd.cgi?userid=galileo&query=key%3As-ga-bn200-pe5-bm1-b1998-bc6-belec-p-btext&_cc=1, 28 June 2007
[7] http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/assets/documents/HUC8_03150101.rtf 28 June 2007
[8] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Threatened and Endangered Species System: Georgia, downloaded from ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/StateListing.do?state_GA&status+listed, 24 January 2007.
[9] Conservation Fisheries Inc., Fish Surveys of Selected Streams of the Chattahoochee National Forest with Emphasis on Imperiled Species, 18 March 2004.
[10] Dr. Paul M. Jakus & Dr. Matthew N. Murray, Economic Analysis of Designating Outstanding National Resource Waters in Tennessee: Theory and Application in Monroe County, March 2000
And
Meg Turville-Heitz, Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters: Analysis of Effects on Marinette County, WI, September 1995
[11] http://www.gaepd.org/Files_PDF/techguide/wpb/ordsum2.pdf
-------------------------
http://www.uspirg.org/news-releases/our-rivers-lakes-and-streams/our-rivers-lakes-and-streams/petition-to-nominate-the-headwaters-of-the-conasauga-river-as-outstanding-national-resource-waters
Our Rivers, Lakes And Streams News
Search • RSS Feed
For Immediate Release:
7/3/2007
Contact:
Jennette Gayer, (404) 892-3573
Christy Leavitt, 202-546-9707 x313
John Rumpler, 617-747-4306
Georgia
Petition to Nominate the Headwaters of the Conasauga River as Outstanding National Resource Waters
Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center and the Southern Environmental Law Center hereby nominate a segment of the Conasauga River for Outstanding National Resource Water (ONRW) protections under Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391.3-6-.03(2)(c).
The section of the Conasauga River nominated for designation contains the headwaters of the river within the Cohutta Wilderness Area and runs to the Alaculsy Valley. The drainage area will encompass Fannin, Murray and Gilmer Counties. The watershed or drainage area is entirely owned and managed by the US National Forest Service and therefore eligible for public nomination as an ONRW. The attached map shows the upstream and downstream extent of the river sections to be designated, as well as the resulting drainage area or tributary watershed. (Attachment A). This ‘headwaters’ portion of the Conasauga is truly a state treasure with high scenic, ecologic, and recreational value.
Rivers, or portions thereof, are eligible for designation and protection under Georgia ONRW regulations provided that the “segments have outstanding value as an aquatic resource, which may derive from the presence of exceptional ecological or recreational attributes or from the presence of unique or sensitive ecosystems.”[2] The proposed stretch of the Conasauga unquestionably meets the stated criteria. The information set forth below shows that the section of the Conasauga nominated for ONRW designation meets the criteria set forth within the “Procedures for Selection of ONRW”
Previous Waterway Designations
Segments of the Conasauga River, including the stretch nominated for ONRW designation, have been designated by the Environmental Protection Division as a state “Wild and Scenic” river.[3] With a Wild and Scenic River designation the state has taken one step towards safeguarding the natural beauty and high quality water present in the Conasauga’s headwaters.
The proposed segment is also classified by the Georgia Wildlife Resources Division as a primary trout stream.[4] Indeed, the North Georgia Fishing Round-up reports that the 15-mile stretch of the Conasauga River within the Cohutta Wilderness Area is “considered by those in the know to be one of the top 100 trout streams in the nation,” and “is excellent fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, and Georgia’s only truly native trout species, the diminutive brook trout.”[5]
Existing Water Quality is High
Water quality in the segment of the Conasauga River nominated for ONRW designation is high. The headwaters of the Conasauga fully support the state designated water use classifications for wild and scenic, and fishing.[6] The subject segment has never been placed on subsequent 305(b) or 303(d) lists maintained by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
High Ecological Value
The headwaters of the Conasauga River feed one of the most biodiverse river ecosystems in the country. Clean and cool water generated within the headwaters are essential for fish and mussel populations present downstream, where the Conasauga River meets the Jacks River in Georgia and passes briefly into Tennessee. These downstream hotbeds support a broad diversity of aquatic animals. More than 90 different fish species live in the river, along with 25 species of freshwater mussels, many of them unusual. According to Georgia’s Wildlife Resources Division, there are scores of animals, plans and communities of special concern in the Conasauga River watershed. (See Attachment B[7]). Twelve of these fish and mussel species are protected by federal endangered or threatened species status.[8] The segment nominated for designation is also an important habitat in its own right. Surveys by the National Forest Service have found abundant or common populations of several varieties of shiners, bass and darters.[9]
Exceptional Recreational or Aesthetic value
In addition to being a draw to Georgia’s trout fisherman and aquatic scientists the segment nominated for designation is a highlight of the surrounding Cohutta Wilderness Area. The proposed ONRW also feeds a well know snorkeling hole located on the Conasauga just beyond the Georgia-Tennessee border.
Community Support for ONRW Designation is Strong
A variety of stakeholders have already voiced support for an ONRW designation along the headwaters of the Conasauga. See attached letters (Attachment C). The community surrounding the watershed relies heavily on the tourism industry which is drawn to the outdoor recreation opportunities in the north Georgia mountains. Case studies in other states show that ONRW designation can have a positive influence on the decision of prospective vacationers and home buyers who prioritize unspoiled wilderness.[10]
Local landowners and governments are also eager to find ways to safeguard the natural character of their communities. The strong commitment of local governments to stewardship and conservation is evidenced by the fact that Fannin, Murray and Gilmer counties are all certified as Local Issuing Authorities and have adopted local stormwater ordinances under Georgia’s Erosion and Sedimentation.[11]
Conclusion
The segment of the Conasauga River nominated in this application clearly meets the criteria for designation as an Outstanding National Resource Water. Environment Georgia Research & Policy Center is ready and willing to present the above information as required. Protection is appropriate and essential to ensure the continued health of the River and to preserve the unique features of this exceptional waterway for generations to come. Accordingly we respectfully ask Georgia DNR to recommend these sections of the Conasauga River for designation as an ONRW.
[1] EPD, Procedures for Selection of ONRW, June 2004.
[2] Id.
[3] Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-3-6-03(13).
2 Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. r. 391-3-6-.03(15)(b).
[5] Kevin Dallimer, North Georgia Fishing Round-up, downloaded from http://ngeorgia.com/adventure/fishing_roundup.html, 25 June 2007.
[6] http://dlg.galileo.usg.edu/cgi-bin/ggpd.cgi?userid=galileo&query=key%3As-ga-bn200-pe5-bm1-b1998-bc6-belec-p-btext&_cc=1, 28 June 2007
[7] http://georgiawildlife.dnr.state.ga.us/assets/documents/HUC8_03150101.rtf 28 June 2007
[8] U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Threatened and Endangered Species System: Georgia, downloaded from ecos.fws.gov/tess_public/StateListing.do?state_GA&status+listed, 24 January 2007.
[9] Conservation Fisheries Inc., Fish Surveys of Selected Streams of the Chattahoochee National Forest with Emphasis on Imperiled Species, 18 March 2004.
[10] Dr. Paul M. Jakus & Dr. Matthew N. Murray, Economic Analysis of Designating Outstanding National Resource Waters in Tennessee: Theory and Application in Monroe County, March 2000
And
Meg Turville-Heitz, Outstanding and Exceptional Resource Waters: Analysis of Effects on Marinette County, WI, September 1995
[11] http://www.gaepd.org/Files_PDF/techguide/wpb/ordsum2.pdf