50 LAKESIDE
March 2012
Public comment sought on Glades Reservoir By Jane Harrison The public has an opportunity to comment on the potential social, economic and environmental impact of the proposed Glades Reservoir planned by Hall County 12 miles northeast of Gainesville. The reservoir, which has been in the planning stages since about 2007, is proposed as a needed water supply for Hall County through 2060. If it becomes operational, the water system is projected for an output of 80 million gallons a day. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Savannah District opened the public comment period Feb. 17 to accept input on the project that would construct an 850-acre reservoir on Flat Creek near the US 23/365 intersection with State Route 52. Those desiring to comment may do so via internet at www.gladesreservoir.com, by mail, or in a public scoping meeting set for March 20 at Gainesville State College. Deadline to submit comments is April 17. A description of the project appears on the website and will be presented at the March 20 scoping session during which experts involved in various phases of the project will set up informational displays, according to Billy Birdwell, public affairs officer with the Corps Savannah District. A record of public comments submitted by late February was not available at press time. Bird-
well said the Corps could not access comments already filed, nor could it provide a count of comments received at that time. Public comment is being sought for input into the Environmental Impact Statement, which is required to evaluate how the proposed reservoir might affect social, economic and environmental factors. The Corps of Engineers is responsible for evaluating and issuing permits that involve construction that may deposit dredged or fill material into U.S. waters. The proposed reservoir has been presented by the Hall County Commission as a necessary water supply alternative to Lake Lanier, a federal reservoir subject to withdrawal limitations imposed by federal mandates and at the center of decades-old water wars between Georgia, Florida and Alabama. The Chattahoochee River, which originates in Georgia, flows into Lanier and is released from Buford Dam en route to the Flint and Apalachicola river systems that hydrate eastern Alabama and the Florida panhandle. Hall County has already spent more than $10 million in property acquisition, engineering costs and construction fees on the Glades Reservoir project, which may require years to complete the environmental permitting phase and additional years to complete construction.
In January, the county commission approved a $10,000 per month fee to its most recent consultant, Joe Tanner & Associates. This amount undercut previous consulting fees by several thousand dollars a month. The actual cost of the system has been projected to reach as high as $300 million if the county were to go through with early plans to pipe Glades Reservoir water to Forsyth County, as was once planned. Hall County Public Information Officer Nikki Young reported those plans are off the table. Efforts to contact Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver and District 3 Commissioner Scott Gibbs, in whose district the project lies, were unsuccessful at press time. An updated cost estimate for the entire project was not available. The proposed reservoir has attracted the attention of environmental groups, the Georgia Water Coalition and Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, and is being watched by the Lake Lanier Association. The Georgia Water Coalition listed it among its “Dirty Dozen” water concerns in 2011. Citing a high price tag and concern that it would “siphon massive quantities of water from the Chattahoochee River immediately above Lake Lanier,” the coalition derides the reservoir as unnecessary expense with potential negative impact on
Lanier. Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper Executive Director Sally Bethea said the environmental organization plans to “be actively involved in the entire permitting review process.” The group will be studying the potential impact to Flat Creek, a tributary to Lanier, and will be evaluating how it could ultimately affect the lake. “From what I’ve learned thus far, there is no need or justification” for the project, she said. She added that she expects the permitting phase to “take a long time.” The environmental group has pushed for alternatives, such as conservation, to building reservoirs. The Lake Lanier Association has not taken a position, according to Executive Director Joanna Cloud. In a written statement, Cloud said the organization which advocates for a full lake had no qualms with the original proposal to pump six million gallons per
day from the proposed reservoir; however, questions arose when the proposed amount increased to 80 million gallons per day. The organization is concerned about “how the water in Glades would be managed, especially during droughts since it would be a private operation outside the control of the Corps of Engineers.” She added there are also concerns about potential water loss to Lanier during drought when water would be pumped into Glades to maintain a full reservoir. “That could be water that does not flow into Lanier during critical times when Lanier is under stress to meet its own needs and is called upon to meet downstream water requirements,” she said. LLA advocates increasing the full pool of Lanier to 1073 feet above sea level, which it states could create an additional storage of “26 billion gallons that would be available for all authorized purposes of Lanier,” Cloud said.
Glade Reservoir Information & Input Info and public comment: www.gladesreservoir.com Mail comments: US Army Corps of Engineers, attn: Regulatory Division, 100 West Oglethorpe Ave, Savannah, GA 31401 Public comment period: Through April 17. Public scoping meeting: 4-8 p.m. March 20, Gainesville State College, 3820 Mundy Mill Rd. Additional public scoping meetings are scheduled 4-8 p.m. March 21 at Lexington Auburn University Convention Center, 1577 South College St., Auburn, Ala., and 4-8 p.m. March 22 at Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve, 108 Island Dr., Eastpoint, Fla.
Cast a line for charity on St. Patrick’s Day By Pamela A. Keene Now there’s another reason to celebrate the wearing of the green. The Georgia Women Flyfishers Club hosts its annual fundraiser and St. Paddy’s Day party on Saturday, March 17, at Sweetwater Brewing Company. Bid on silent auction items – fishing-related and not – and enjoy fishing raffles, music, beer tastings and more. The event takes place from 7 to 10 p.m. in Atlanta at 195 Ottley Dr. NE. Tickets in advance are $25 in advance and $30 at the door. Funds raised will be used to support the club’s October event, Casting for Confidence, an invitation-only activity for 12 breastcancer survivors to enjoy a day of fishing, relaxing and getting to know club members. The 2012 Casting for Confidence event is scheduled for October 13 at Frog Hollow in Dahlonega.
“Our day is spent learning about casting, entomology, gear and fly tying with a few hours of actual fishing time on the beautiful Chestatee River,” said Missie Medley with the GWFF Club. “We feed them, suit them up and take them down to the river where they will be met by their own guide who will assist them throughout the day with their fishing needs. We end our day with a photo session, light snacks, gifts, raffles and thanks for a great day of fishing and friendship.” Meetings are held the second Monday of each month, except July, at 7 p.m. at the Delkwood Grill, 2769 Delk Rd. SE, Marietta. Different speakers each month share their knowledge and love of fly fishing. Some meetings also offer an education segment, and all meetings include fishing reports, food and fun.
GWFF is a non-profit membership organization. Over the long term, the organization seeks to improve and grow the sport of fly fishing in Georgia. Members encourage, advocate and work toward conserving and improving the state’s rivers and streams, and increasing its legal fish species. Tickets are $25 in advance; $30 at the door. Purchase tickets from GWFF members, at GWFF meetings or by mailing a check for a ticket(s) made out to GWFF (for Annual Fundraiser tickets) to Circe Tsui at 3762 Midvale Rd., Tucker, GA 30084. Requests must be postmarked no later than March 5. Include an e-mail address for receipt verification. Tickets will be held at the door the night of the event. MORE INFO: www.georgiawomenfly fishing.com
GWFF members Eunice Lovell and Becky Strain discuss knot-tying.