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Soque River Watershed
Partnership
Water resources are vital to the long
term success and sustainable growth of Habersham County and associated
localities. Residents of our area depend on the Soque River and its
tributaries to serve as water supplies and waste receiving streams for
domestic, agricultural, and industrial uses. The health of the Soque
watershed is vital to the future character of our economy and the quality
of our lives.
Segments of the river have recently been listed as impaired due to
nonpoint sources (NPS) of pollution (primarily sedimentation and the
presence of fecal coliform bacteria). All streams and rivers derive their
characteristics from the lands from which they drain (cumulatively
referred to as the watershed). In an effort to better understand the
sources and nature of NPS pollution in our watershed, the Soque River
Watershed Partnership (SRWP) seeks to undertake a comprehensive assessment
of the biological, chemical, and physical state of the Soque
River system. The primary objectives of
this assessment are to identify NPS inputs in the watershed
and use the data collected to develop a management strategy that
will meet the needs of the Soque community while improving the overall
quality of the land and water on which we all rely.
To achieve these
goals, communication and cooperation among the watershed partners and
local residents are essential. All who live, work, or play in the
watershed are stakeholders in this process. Each member of the community
is in fact, a member of this partnership.. The challenge is to put aside
all preconceptions and possible misconceptions about causes and sources of
NPS pollution and develop a scientific framework upon which to address
current and future demands on our resource. |
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How do we get there from here?
There are three primary goals for this watershed partnership
effort:
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To develop a
clear scientific understanding of the relative health of the
Soque River Watershed.
To deliver this
understanding to the watershed community and to build
relationships that foster collaboration, communication and
cooperation.
To build
consensus on methods to restore degraded sections and to
preserve the health of non-degraded sections of the Soque Basin.
To accomplish these goals, the
partnership will call on a wealth of expertise and experience from
each of its partner groups and from a Technical Advisory Committee
(TAC). This TAC consisting of leading research scientists across
the state of Georgia will assist in the design of sampling
protocols used to formulate a comprehensive monitoring plan. This
monitoring plan will be based on the best and most current
scientific methodology available. |
We need
your help
As a partner
organization in the Soque River Watershed Partnership you are
encouraged to appoint an individual to the partnership’s steering
committee. This committee is the backbone of our partnership and
will meet quarterly to review progress and recommend actions
necessary to successfully meet our goals. Each organization’s
steering committee representative will be kept up-to-date and
asked to contribute their unique knowledge, guidance and
assistance towards the Partnership’s efforts. The steering
committee will serve as an example to the broader community of the
type of collaboration and cooperation achievable in planning for a
sustainable watershed. Examples of specific ways you may help
include; serving as liaisons between members of the community
(e.g. property owners, businesses) and the Watershed Coordinator,
identifying potential sample sites within locality boundaries,
providing access to records necessary to make informed decisions,
encouraging the public to participate in the process, “selling”
the benefits of the project to all citizens, and working together
to address unforeseen challenges. |
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What to
expect
The success of this partnership
begins with scientifically defensible methods that gather and
analyze data for the purpose of improving the health of the
watershed. Ample opportunities will exist for public input and
airing of concerns. The Watershed Coordinator will be available
and accessible to promote the project and address issues as they
arise. Discussions that promote cooperation and partnership will
replace tendencies towards blame and finger pointing. Public
education and transparency of all elements of the project are
vital to building a consensus in the community for the protection
and enhancement of our most valuable natural resource. |
Project Benefits
The development of a deeper understanding of the Soque
Watershed Basin
for use in long-term stewardship and planning efforts.
Each of the cities managing a public drinking water supply will be
better equipped to meet state requirements for source water
assessments. Data collected during this project should
dramatically decrease the expense for completing source water
assessments.
Organizations
responsible for planning, including each of the localities, the US
Forest Service and the Georgia
Mountains Regional Development
Center, will possess more accurate information upon which to base
various resource management decisions.
Public outreach to inform and educate members of the community
about the importance of the protection and wise use of local water
resources.
The development of a strong partnership committed to stewardship
and conservation of local water resources. This partnership will
continue to seek grants that will allow for resource protection,
restoration efforts, and the effective management of threats
identified during the assessment.
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