EPD Meeting and Hearing on revised Gwinnett discharge permit

Dear List Members,

The EPD has scheduled two important meetings;

At 7 p.m. on September 21, 2006, the EPD will hold a public meeting on the revised Gwinnett discharge permit.  This is the permit based on the parameters negotiated by the Lake Lanier Association after our victory in the GA Supreme Court during our litigation against the EPD and Gwinnett County.  The purpose of the meeting is for the EPD to present and receive comments on the draft permit, and this will be followed by a public hearing for the EPD to receive comments on the permit for the public record.

It is very important that as many people as possible attend this meeting to comment on this permit.  The Lake Lanier Association is committed to insisting that any future permitted discharges into Lake Lanier have the same parameters, or better, as this permit.

The meeting will be held at the Gwinnett County Justice and Administrative Center Auditorium at 75 Langley Drive, Lawrenceville, GA 30045.

EPD Meeting on Stream Buffer Variances

Rule 391-3-16- .01, "Water Supply Watersheds," is being amended to clarify that local ordinances providing for the protection of required stream buffers may also contain provisions for a local buffer variance application and review process.

To provide the public an opportunity to comment upon and provide input into the proposed rule Amendment, three public hearings will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the following dates/locations:

September 21, 2006
Dalton Utilities
1200 V. D. Parrott, Jr. Parkway
Dalton, GA 30722

September 26, 2006
Dahlonega City Hall
465 Riley Road, Dahlonega, GA  30533

September 27, 2006
EPD Training Center
4244 International Parkway; Suite 116
Atlanta, GA  30354

At the public hearings anyone may present data, make a statement, comment or offer a viewpoint or argument either orally or in writing. Lengthy statements or statements of a considerable technical or economic nature, as well as previously recorded messages, must be submitted in writing for the official record.  Oral statements should be concise. 

For both hearings, those unable to attend may submit written comments.  Comments on the Gwinnett permit should be received by the EPD by close of business on September 28, 2006, and on the stream buffer issue by close of business on October 6, 2006.  Written comments may be emailed to EPDComments@dnr.state.ga.us or sent via regular mail addressed to: Linda MacGregor, Chief, Watershed Protection Branch, 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101, Atlanta, Georgia, 30354.

For further information, contact the Watershed Protection Branch at 404/675-6236.