Today, Georgia’s leading water protection coalition released its Clean 13 report for 2019. The report highlights individuals, businesses, industries, non-profit organizations and governmental agencies whose extraordinary efforts have led to cleaner rivers, stronger communities and a more sustainable future for Georgians.
“Georgia is faced with many water challenges involving problems that effect the health of our rivers and the availability of clean water for us and wildlife,” said Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, executive director with the Rome-based Coosa River Basin Initiative. “Those recognized in the Clean 13 report are on the front lines of meeting those challenges. From innovative wastewater treatment projects to important clean water education efforts, these entities are developing solutions to these challenges.”
This year, the Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is recognized for its leadership toward more sustainable agriculture in the heart of Georgia’s breadbasket. The District is responsible for bringing millions of dollars in private and public funds to improve irrigation efficiency impacting some 13 million acres of cropland in the area.
““The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation is thrilled to be recognized for our work in agricultural irrigation efficiency in southwest Georgia,” said Marty McLendon, Chairman of the District. “Our strong relationships with researchers, innovative trailblazers in the industry, producers and landowners allow the District to implement new technologies on farms throughout the region, improving economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture in Georgia.””
Additional work highlighted in the report includes:
Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
Georgia Association of Water Professionals in Marietta
Flint River Working Group in Fulton, Clayton, Fayette, Spalding and Coweta counties
Walton Electric Membership Corporation in Monroe
Gwinnett County Department of Water Resources
Terrapin Beer Company in Athens
Fulton County Commission
Truck Carlson in Augusta
Georgia ForestWatch in Dahlonega
The Len Foote Hike Inn in Dawsonville
Amerson River Park in Macon-Bibb County
Rep. Debbie Buckner of Talbot County
Together, the efforts of these “Clean 13” are adding up to cleaner rivers, stronger communities and a more sustainable future for Georgia.
The District, along with other entities recognized in this report, will be honored at the Georgia Water Coalition’s Clean 13 Celebration set for March 12, 2020 at Mason Fine Art Center in Atlanta.
The Georgia Water Coalition publishes this list not only to recognize these positive efforts on behalf of Georgia’s water but also as a call to action for our state’s leaders and citizens to review these success stories, borrow from them and emulate them.
The Georgia Water Coalition is a consortium of more than 260 conservation and environmental organizations, hunting and fishing groups, businesses, and faith-based organizations that have been working to protect Georgia’s water since 2002. Collectively, these organizations represent thousands of Georgians.
The Flint River Soil and Water Conservation District is comprised of farmers, landowners, and community leaders that are dedicated to the conservation, wise use, and protection of natural resources in the Flint River Basin. Learn more about the District at flintriverswcd.org.
The full 2019 Clean 13 report can be viewed at http://www.gawater.org/clean-13