1. Watershed Management Studies*
Unified government of Athens-Clarke county
September 21, 2018
* And other stuff

2. History
In 2008, Athens-Clarke County (ACC) retained the Arcadis-Tetra Tech team to assist in developing a Watershed Management Program to proactively reduce non-point source pollution associated with urban runoff and improve the overall health of the county’s watersheds.
First Three: Brooklyn Creek, Hunnicutt Creek, and the West Fork of Trail Creek.
Second Three: Tanyard Creek, Cedar Creek, and Shoal Creek (2011)
Third Three: Big Creek, Carr Creek, and McNutt Creek (2015 – partially complete)
The 2015 effort also revisited Brooklyn Creek and Cedar Creek to allow for adaptive management and to incorporate improved management selection techniques.
Final Nine: (2018)
The ACCGOV Stormwater Management Page has a Watershed Management link to these plans.

3. The Final Nine Bear Creek East Fork Trail Creek Malcolm Branch
Middle Oconee River
North Oconee River
Sandy Creek
Sulphur Spring Branch
Turkey Creek
Walton Creek

4. Purpose
The overarching goals of the Watershed Improvement Program are to:
Enhance and maintain watershed functions in Athens-Clarke County, including water quality, habitat, biodiversity, and hydrology.
Protect human health, safety, and property by reducing stormwater impacts.
Support balanced, sustainable, diverse, and aesthetically pleasing land use and development in accord with the Athens-Clarke County Comprehensive Plan.
Recruit and build partnerships and involve stakeholders in the protection, maintenance and restoration of Athens-Clarke County watersheds.

5. Potential Fecal Coliform (or E. coli) sources
Wild animals, including birds
Pet waste
Livestock and other agricultural animals
Liquid components of trash that leak onto streets and sidewalks – especially downtown
Improperly maintained private oxidation ponds
Leaking sanitary sewers
Failing septic systems
People who may have partied too much – especially downtown
Homeless people

6. Bacterial Source Tracking
Human Gene Biomarkers

7. Fecal coliform doesn’t lend itself to quantifying reduction.
Eric Byrne - Tetra Tech

8. My Questions
Septic systems – Is there a way to facilitate routine maintenance?
Age
Lot size
Trash juice – Is there a way to minimize this?
Lagoons/Oxidation Ponds – How can sanitary sewer service be provided to these mobile home parks?

9. Downtown
In areas such as downtown Athens drainage pathways often allow no opportunity for infiltration of stormwater. Interrupting flow pathways would decrease pollutant loadings to local waterways.
Downtown projects are generally expensive in part due to the complexities of utilities and business accommodations. When they occur, it is wise to take advantage of those opportunities to incorporate stormwater control measures. Me

10. Stormwater Fee Review
Recent public input shows that many customers do not fully understand the following:
The magnitude of existing private and public drainage and infrastructure maintenance and improvement needs.
That stormwater runoff from their property can cause downstream problems.
The necessity and benefits of a stormwater management program under the Clean Water Act.
That the required funding cannot just be pulled from some source that is not being used.
Over the past two years there has been one unexpected pipe failure every 2 months. Funding from the stormwater fee has provided resiliency in dealing with these emergencies. (Barber Street is currently closed for pipe repair.)
Potential increases in level of servicee
Zone of influence at storm pipe outlets (outside of street right of way)
Camera truck with 2 person crew
2 additional field people for Vactor truck, pipe inspections, and storm pipe mapping
Capital (mostly rusty storm pipes) – would require a rate increase

11. Stormwater System Ownership
LEVEL OF SERVICE
Private Detention Pond & Pipes
Stormwater System Ownership
Drainage Ditch in Private/HOA Easement
Ditch on Private Property
Detention Pond
Connected Pipe in Private Easement
ACCGov Owned
Creek on Private Property
Privately Owned
Public Influence
(Quasi-Public)
Public Water
Zone of Influence
Public
Right-of-Way
Driveway Pipe
Private Drainage Easement 11

12. Stormwater Standards for Redevelopment
Redevelopment is a key issue in Athens-Clarke County.
Streams in Athens-Clarke County are impaired.
There is a sense that unless stormwater impacts of existing impervious surfaces are for the most part grandfathered, some redevelopment opportunities will be missed (i.e. will not be feasible).
This would lead to the unintended consequence of more greenfill development.
The Clean Water Act allows for infeasibility if stormwater standards cannot be met.
Infeasibility should not be invoked for added impervious surfaces. This would lead to degradation of stream health and/or cause adverse drainage impacts to neighbors.
Special standards could allow for partial enhancements in runoff characteristics from existing impervious surfaces that are being redeveloped. This would allow for some improvement while at the same time minimizing high costs that provide incentives for new/greenfill development.

13. If we create a landscape that people enjoy and value, it will be maintained and sustained, and its environmental benefits will endure. Stuart Echols