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FISHERMEN BEWARE: SB 155 Removes Headwaters Protection
You can take action on this alert by reading the information below and following the
directions at the bottom.
SB 155 removes protections from important fishing waters by permanently removing protective buffers from ephemeral streams. What is at stake? Down-stream fishing opportunities, wildlife habitat, sediment and pollutant removal, river health & more.
BACKGROUND:
Vegetated buffers on ephemeral streams, that often run intermittently, protect valuable parts of river systems critical to Georgias $1.8 billion outdoor sportsmens economy. They provide for wildlife habitat, escape cover, breeding habitat, feeding and resting areas and travel corridors for untold number of game and non-game species both terrestrial and aquatic.
Here are just a few points to consider while opposing SB 155:
The 2008 Clean Water Act Construction General Permit for the State of Georgia forbids construction within 25 feet of all state waters, including ephemeral streams. SB 155 conflicts with this requirement.
Some trout streams are fed by non-trout waters. Piping and buffer removal of ephemeral streams connected to non-trout waters along trout streams would negatively affect sensitive fisheries habitat and water quality through increased siltation and stream temperatures.
Ephemeral streams are not ditches. They are natural drainages connected to, not isolated from, larger streams and rivers. Ephemeral streams sometimes run dry but they serve vital and essential functions during rain and high water events by:
Trapping sediment that clogs streams and reduces habitat functions and fishing opportunities down stream
Filtering silt, chemicals, grease, pesticides and bacteria
Storing and slowing storm water runoff, helping to reduce flood events downstream
Regulating stream temperatures
Providing habitat and cover for a multitude of wildlife
To put it in perspective, a 25 buffer is a shorter distance than an athlete can cover in one long jump. A 25 buffer is a shorter distance than the yardage needed to make a first down in football. A 25 buffer on ephemeral stream is an ounce of prevention worth a pound of cure! Dont let the legislature steal your streams, OPPOSE SB 155!
THIS MESSAGE SPONSORED BY GWF AND TROUT UNLIMITED
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Your State Representative
Your State Senator
A sample message appears below, which you may edit before sending.
Please Oppose SB 155
Dear Representative,
As a Georgia sportsman, I OPPOSE SB 155 that would eliminate protective buffers along ephemeral streams throughout Georgia. Removing protections for vital fisheries resources would create negative consequences to Georgias fisheries resources, my down-stream fishing opportunities and Georgias robust $1.8 billion outdoor sportsmens economy. PLEASE VOTE NO ON SB 155 and any roll backs in fisheries protection or reduction in buffers along Georgia state waters.
A vegetated buffer absorbs and filters pollutants before they enter the stream.
Presently, the state of Georgia protects ephemeral streams with natural buffers and the EPD provides for a variance under Georgia law and Department of Natural Resources rules. The cumulative effect of permanently removing these vital protections on headwater streams throughout a watershed would be very damaging. The Department of Natural Resources manages these streams through variances to avoid negatively impacting all users, such as Georgia sportsmen, and protecting downstream property owners and communities.
The 2008 Clean Water Act Construction General Permit for the State of Georgia forbids construction within 25 feet of all state waters, including ephemeral streams. SB 155 conflicts with this requirement.
Ephemeral streams are not ditches, they are natural drainages that require these vital vegetated buffers to provide a myriad of benefits that include: wildlife habitat for both terrestrial and aquatic species and both game and non-game species; storm water storage helping to prevent downstream flooding and protecting private property values; filtration of silt, chemicals, pesticides and other wildlife damaging contaminants; temperature regulation keeping streams cool; reduction of storm water flash or increased water velocities destructive to stream banks, stream beds and fisheries habitat. Non-point source pollution is the number one pollutant in thousands of Georgias river miles. Increased siltation would make drinking water filtration more expensive for downstream communities. Don't make it worse! I oppose SB 155 and I want you to prevent it from passing, vote NO on SB 155.
Thank you for listening to my concerns, for your service to our district and for protecting Georgias waters and my outdoor traditions.
Sincerely,
Your name and address here
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