(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1989-05)
Burns, Carol J.; Conger, Allen W.; Whiteside, Richard W.
The environmental impacts of water
development projects have recently become
the source of considerable concern by
various groups. A dichotomy has evolved
in which there exists a continuing need
to satisfy population water demands and
a recognition that projects to accomplish
these ends may cause irreversible adverse
impacts (Hagan and Roberts 1973).
Mitigation for the loss of wetland
habitat has been a major issue to resource
managers and developers for only the past
15 years. In the interim, substantial
progress has occurred in the evolution and
acceptance of the concept; we are now at
a time when we have enough knowledge and
experience to review how effectively the
concept has been implemented (LaRoe 1986).
For the portion of Georgia north of the
Fall Line, a network of public fishing and
water supply reservoirs was proposed to
ensure future water supplies. A need for
31 reservoirs was identified (Cowie and
Cooley 1988). What avoidance, restoration/ creation criteria and techniques should those proposing to impact wetland tracts apply for reservoir mitigation in each instance?
The scope of this paper is to present
the evolution of the wetland mitigation
concept with respect to reservoir development. A review of case histories
and evaluation of our progress is
presented with a specific emphasis on
mitigation for wildlife.
(Georgia Institute of Technology, 1989-05)
Conger, Allen W.; Whiteside, Richard W.; Webb, Robert S.
within the state of Georgia, the
construction of a number of drinking water
supply reservoirs, including
regional reservoirs has been proposed.
The development of these reservoirs is
regulated by numerous federal and state
laws. These laws serve to regulate
environmental impacts to natural
habitats and unique cultural and natural
resources.
Current environmental legislation
that has the most significant economic
and political impact on reservoir
development includes: Federal Water
Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act),
National Environmental Policy Act of
1970, Fish and Wildlife Coordination
Act, Endangered Species Act of 1973 and the Natural Historic Preservation Act of
1966 as amended. The Georgia Water
Quality Control Act also provides for
mitigation through the implementation of
water quality standards.