2. Last year Lawyers, politicians and judges Stakeholders were getting organized

3. This year Lawyers, politicians and judges Stakeholders are organized and very busy

4. What’s was missing? Stakeholders have been absent from the process Question - Can the diverse users of the ACF Basin act cooperatively to create sustainable solutions among stakeholders that balance economic, ecological, and social values in the sharing of this natural resource? Still are… but not as much

5. Where we’ve been A phone call launched us Workshops Steering Committee Organization formed 501 c 3 obtained Members joined Governing Board formed Projects begun, completed and more begun

6. Important process points 1.We had to get the organization right before tackling tough issues 2.No requirement to abandon local interests but to put them in the context of a sustainable watershed 3.We excluded state and federal agencies (and lawyers) from the organization – Nothing personal but focus was on stakeholders working together 4.Litmus test was always ‘balance and diversity’ 5.Sustainability became the holy grail

7. ACF Stakeholders Organization Executive Committee 2 members selected by each Sub- basin Governing Board members Chair Vice Chair Secretary Treasurer 8 Members 14 Stakeholder Interest Caucuses in each Sub-basin select one person to represent their diverse Interest on the Governing Board Thermo Power Hydro Power Navigation Farm and Urban Agriculture Local Government Historic and Cultural Environmental and Conservation Business and Economic Development Other Recreation Water Supply Water Quality Seafood Industry Industry and Manufacturing 80% vote on Administrative Issues Consensus on Substantive Issues Decision Making Governing Board ApalachicolaFlint RiverLower/MiddleChattahoocheeUpperChattahoochee Sub-basin Caucuses Apalachicola Flint Upper Chattahoochee Middle & Lower Chattahoochee Composition 56 Members 14 Members from each Sub-basin

8. Members include  Local Governments  Agriculture  Water Suppliers & Treatment Operators  Industry & Manufacturing  Chambers of Commerce  Power Companies  Environmental & Ecology Organizations  Water Experts  Water Policy Makers  Municipal Associations  Advocacy Groups First time ever members of this diverse group have sat together to make recommendations regarding the ACF Basin with the same goals. Member Organizations

9. ACF Stakeholders Goal Equitable sharing of the waters of the ACF Basin among diverse water user groups. Long term sustainability of the ACF Basin to meet the social, economic and environmental needs of users of the ACF watershed.

10. Projects Completed Understanding the Problem Work Group – 140 page document describing the needs of each of the water interest categories Data Modeling Work Group – Inventoried the available modeling tools Sustainability Work Group – Defined sustainability – Defined performance criteria format for water needs

11. Current Projects Request for Proposals for Sustainable Water Management Plan Needs? Availability?

12. Sustainable Water Management Plan Modeling Flows Levels Water quality Water balance Facilitation Consensus goal Define alternative plans Make recommendations

13. Instream Flow Assessment Maintain ecological integrity Species assessment Floodplain management

14. What If… Needs outweigh Availability Now or in the future??

15. Best Practices Project Carl Vinson Institute Survey – Who is doing what – Highlight successes – Increase awareness Future – What else can be done – When and how much Who pays for it… How is it paid for…

16. Importance of the effort Long term economic viability of the SE depends on water – Projected growth among competing interests puts more pressure on limited water resource Long term environmental sustainability of the SE depends on responsible use of water Long term we need a basin wide water management plan

17. How do we get there… ACF Stakeholders has the only voice representing – Diverse water interests – All 3 states Committed to: – Equitable solutions Economic, Ecological and Social values – Viable solutions to ensure sustainability – Pursuing change to accomplish goals

18. You are welcome to join… Interest in the ACF Watershed? Email to: – Info@acfstakeholders.org Info@acfstakeholders.org Website: – www.acfstakeholders.org www.acfstakeholders.org Q & A