Developing Stream Corridor Protection Policies

Abstract

Proceedings of the 1999 Georgia Water Resources Conference, March 30 and 31, Athens, Georgia.Many local governments in Georgia are required to develop stream corridor protection ordinances to comply with the Georgia Planning Act, Mountain and River Corridor Protection Act, and other state laws. Some governments view this not as a burden but as an opportunity to develop comprehensive, scientifically-grounded stream corridor protection programs. We are working with local and state officials, scientists and others to provide information and materials to support local governments in their efforts. The project consists of three components: (1) developing scientifically and legally defensible guidelines for stream corridor width, extent and vegetation; (2) making policy recommendations to counties to implement these guidelines; and (3) analyzing potential problems with protecting stream corridors, such as landowner concerns regarding property rights.Sponsored and Organized by: U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Georgia State University, Georgia Institute of TechnologyThis book was published by the Institute of Ecology, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2202 with partial funding provided by the U.S. Department of Interior, geological Survey, through the Georgia Water Research Insttitute as authorized by the Water Research Institutes Authorization Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-397). The views and statements advanced in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not represent official views or policies of the University of Georgia or the U.S. Geological Survey or the conference sponsors