River Basin Center: Upper Altamaha Initiative

The Etowah River system is a chief tributary of the Coosa River system. The mainstem of the Coosa is restricted by reservoirs along most of its length. As a result, many species that were once widespread are now located only in the Etowah River and other headwater tributaries. The Etowah basin lies adjacent to the north edge of the Atlanta metropolitan area where it has become susceptible to urban encroachment. Several sensitive fish species have populations that are decreasing in number. Stream habitat in developed areas of the basin is generally poor, due to upland development. While many aquatic species appear to be fairly stable, their range of acceptable habitat is very limited in the Upper Etowah in part to the presence of Allatoona Dam. If unmanaged development is allowed to continue along the Etowah tributaries, it is likely that it will lead to a decrease in suitable quality habitat which may result in the further decline of threatened and endangered species.

The UGA River Basin Center staff has been working along with local governments in the Etowah River watershed to develop a comprehensive Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) in order to protect aquatic species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The ESA specifies in section 10 that an incidental take may be sanctioned through the development and implementation of HCPs. The HCP incorporates the applicant's proposed activity with the needs of the species in question. It examines the anticipated effect of a proposed taking on the affected species and how that take will be reduced and mitigated. This information must be submitted before any activities that may result in the taking of a threatened or endangered species may begin.

This project will entail drafting an Environmental Assessment (EA) based on the findings of the Etowah HCP. This document will address whether or not the species listed and their associated habitat will be significantly impacted by the proposed action of the local governments and what the possible alternatives may be.

Visit Our Partners:

	Alliance for Quality Growth
	Center for Community Design & Preservation
	Georgia Museum of Natural History
	NARSAL

University of Georgia - Eugene P. Odum School of Ecology

UGA River Basin Center
110 Riverbend Road, Room 101
Athens, GA 30602-1510 USA
Phone: (706) 583-0463
Fax: (706) 583-0612

C. Ronald Carroll, Co-Director for Science - rcarroll@uga.edu
Laurie Fowler, Co-Director for Policy - lfowler@uga.edu

Map and Directions to the River Basin Center
For questions or comments about this web site email: bethgav@uga.edu