Georgia Water/Policy/Erosion and Sedimentation Control

See also: Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act and  /Recommendations/

Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control
The Technical Advisory Planning Committee was established to "develop policies and procedures for use in updating and maintaining the information included in the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission's Manual for Erosion and Sediment Control. The ultimate objective of the Committee is to provide information on best management practices based on sound scientific principles, that will best help Georgians to control erosion and sedimentation."

Organizations
The goal of this section is to provide, for each major organization (EPD, SWCC, DCA, EPA, USDA, NRCS) or organization category (such as county sediment control programs, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, citizen environmental groups, lake property owner associations, etc.), a brief summary of the organization’s legal responsibility, concerns, capabilities and funding; with copies of relevant statutes, rules and regulations, forms, and procedures used in their sediment related programs; and with ideas from people working in the organization for improving sediment and erosion control and for increasing their organization’s capabilities and potential.

New EPD Procedures
In January, 2006, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division]] published new procedures regarding role of EPD and the local issuing authorities: Source: Georgia Environmental Protection Division and as quoted above from Augusta Chronicle, 13Jan06.
 * Recognizing that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division does not have staff or funds to replace local erosion control programs, the agency will try to support local programs through education and guidance.
 * Local governments are the first line of authority, and EPD will serve as a "backstop."
 * However, if EPD investigates a site and finds violations, it must seek enforcement actions that could include penalties.
 * EPD can issue stop-work orders even in areas where a local government program is in effect.
 * Complaints to EPD in areas with local programs will be referred to local authorities, who must respond to EPD in writing as to how the complaint was resolved.
 * Failure to respond can trigger EPD enforcement actions against the violator and could result in suspension of the local government program.
 * In situations where a local government issues permits for activities EPD deems inappropriate, EPD will not punish the developer but will require the local government to correct its procedures for future permits.
 * Local governments can be decertified to issue development permits if their programs are inadequate, but they will be given time to correct their problems.