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the upper altamaha initiative:
fall 2006
Our team is working on roadway design ideas for a portion of the Oconee River Greenway in Milledgeville, GA. The first phases of the Greenway are currently being developed by the Oconee River Greenway Authority (ORGA). ORGA would like to provide a third roadway access to the site through a portion of the property, the Battle Tract, which is protected by a conservation easement held by the Oconee River Land Trust (ORLT). This conservation easement was dedicated in association with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) as mitigation for wetland impacts elsewhere. The USACE maintains interest in the property, including third-party right of enforcement. Among the other provisions, the easement specifically prohibits construction of a roadway for non-emergency access. The property is within the floodplain of the Oconee River, and includes extensive wetlands. It is approximately 3 miles downstream from the Lake Sinclair Dam. Several times a year, during periods of heavy rain within the watershed, the site is flooded by overflow water released from the dam. The Battle Tract contains a sanitary sewer line, and associated easement. During the course of maintenance, this easement has become rutted and muddy. The easement area has been further damaged by illegal off-road use. The project components will include reviewing alternate roadway alignments, identifying possible design elements for minimizing environmental impacts and protecting water quality, and serving as an example of sustainable design for the general public. Two preliminary roadway alignments have been discussed to provide a third point of access to the planned greenway area. The first would be an upper alignment through an adjacent 9-acre parcel (the Garner Tract). The second would be a lower alignment along an existing sanitary sewer easement through the Battle Tract. We will also review other potential roadway alignments as they are identified. The design elements will attempt to minimize environmental impacts and protect water quality. Specific goals will include the following: Protect existing environmental quality; provide for wildlife crossings; provide education and examples of water quality measures; provide access for sewer maintenance; and limit illegal and damaging ATV / OHV access. The ORLT board has identified some potential USACE criteria for the roadway as follows.: Show clear improvement to the conservation value of the property; protect the wetlands; protect the stream banks; and improve the public recreation opportunities. The material generated by this study will be used by the ORGA and the ORLT to determine if there may be a solution acceptable to both parties. If there is, it is anticipated that future efforts will be required to prepare detailed plans, request approval from the USACE, and amend the easement to allow construction of a roadway.
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