Implementation lessons: Gwinnett County's watershed improvement program

Proceedings of the 2009 Georgia Water Resources Conference, April 27, 28, and 29, 2009 Athens, Georgia.Gwinnett County has implemented a comprehensive Watershed Improvement Program to improve and protect water quality and conditions in streams. Substantial effort has been put into planning for each major watershed over the last eight years. Within the last two years, nine major stream restoration, created wetland, and stormwater pond projects have been completed at a cost of approximately $10 million. Many more projects are planned to be under construction in 2009 and beyond. This paper will outline the major challenges, both technically and administratively, the County has overcome to get projects in the ground. Examples include funding, finding suitable sites, working with other County departments, dewatering, problem contractors, permit delays, and design oversight.Sponsored by: Georgia Environmental Protection Division U.S. Geological Survey, Georgia Water Science Center U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service Georgia Institute of Technology, Georgia Water Resources Institute The University of Georgia, Water Resources FacultyThis book was published by Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2152. 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, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Georgia Water Research Institute as authorized by the Water Research Institutes Authorization Act of 1990 (P.L. 101-307) or the other conference sponsors