USACE Section 206 Ecosystem Restoration Program and Development of Restoration Alternatives to Support Projects in Cobb County, Georgia

Proceedings of the 2003 Georgia Water Resources Conference, held April 23-24, 2003, at the University of Georgia.The Mobile District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is currently pursuing ecosystem restoration opportunities in the Atlanta Metropolitan Area in accordance with the USACE Aquatic Ecosystem Restoration Program authorized by Section 206 of the Water Resources Development Act of 1996 (Section 206). The Atlanta Metropolitan Area continues to grow at a rapid rate. This rapid growth has led to numerous water resources problems, including: 1) increased stormwater volume and peak discharges; 2) increased flooding; 3) accelerated erosion; 4) stream bed lowering; 5) diminished water quality; and 6) degraded aquatic habitat. The following paragraphs will describe the USACE Continuing Authorities Program (CAP), the Section 206 Program, the USACE study process, the development of ongoing Section 206 projects in Cobb County, Georgia and their status