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the upper altamaha initiative:
fall 2006
The TMDL Implementation group worked on projects for Athens-Clarke County and the City of Gordon. West Fork of Trail Creek (Athens, GA) EPD has listed the West Fork of Trail Creek as an impaired stream for fecal coliform. However, Athens Clarke County ("ACC") has done little sampling or analysis to determine the source, nature, and extent of the contamination. Before undertaking an overall analysis of the stream, ACC seeks an estimation of the time and resource commitment such an effort will require. The county further hopes to begin modifying and updating the TMDL implementation plan for the stream. In order to provide ACC with suggestions regarding the magnitude of work required by sampling and analysis of the stream, the group will begin initial data collection, surveying, and monitoring of a specific portion of the West Fork of Trail Creek. No baseline surveying or monitoring of this area currently exists. By focusing on a limited geographic area, the group hopes to identify, evaluate, and document potential sources of fecal coliform pollution stream via river walks, data samples, and aerial mapping. Approaches developed in analysis of this area will allow the group to make recommendations for future monitoring and cleanup of this area, as well as for surveying other parts of the stream. Ideally, these first steps will serve as a format for future research and analysis of Trail Creek by ACC and its eventual delisting. Data collected and approaches used will aid the group in recommending changes to the county's TMDL implementation plan. In surveying aerial mapping of the area, the group will also make suggestions for possible contamination sources elsewhere on the river. Because the monitoring and surveying will require more time than the semester allows, this project allows for future practicum student action. Georgia has few examples of impaired streams being successfully delisted; these initial steps might also be shared with nearby municipalities, leading to water quality improvement throughout the entire basin. Though the group anticipates challenges in analyzing potential pollution sources from a stream with little baseline data in a limited period of time, the interest and initiative of ACC, the vested interest of landowners in the economic development of the area, and the general desire to delist and improve the water quality of the West Fork of Trail Creek suggest community support of the project and its success. Little Commissioner Creek (City of Gordon) Little Commissioner Creek Recommendations (PDF) Final Presentation for City of Gordon (PDF version of PPT) Little Commissioner Creek has been listed by the EPD as an impaired stream for fecal coliform and biota pollution. The City of Gordon needs help identifying potential point and non-point sources for the contamination along the listed nine mile stretch of stream. The City hopes to incorporate the data collected into recommendations for modification of the existing TMDL implementation plan. In order to provide the City of Gordon with possible point and non-point sources of pollution, the group will undertake a riverwalk to identify, document, and evaluate potential sources. Evaluation of data samples taken along the stream as well as analysis of aerial mapping and land surveys will supplement findings made along the river. Because the likelihood of discovering a discrete point source is low, the group will also evaluate the surrounding area (including adjacent properties and the nearby constructed wetland) for possible nonpoint source pollution. After analyzing potential sources, the group will provide recommendations to the City about potential contamination and incorporation of the data into a modified TMDL implementation plan. Ideally, these first steps will serve as a format for future research and analysis of Little Commissioner Creek by the City of Gordon and its eventual delisting. Because the monitoring and surveying will require more time than the semester allows, this project allows for future practicum student action. Georgia has few examples of impaired streams being successfully delisted; these initial steps might also be shared with nearby municipalities, leading to water quality improvement throughout the entire basin. The distance of the City of Gordon from Athens presents obstacles to monitoring the stream over an extended period of time. Further, the obstructed nature of the stream may limit access to potential sources of pollution and restrict observation and sampling. However, the enthusiasm of the Mayor of the City of Gordon and the city's economic and social interest in delisting Little Commissioner Creek ensure the group will have guidance and assistance in researching the stream.
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