Chattooga Quarterly
Summer/Fall 2007
Watershed Update, Summer/Fall 2007
Stekoa Creek Pollution UpdateIn partnership with the Rabun Chapter of Trout Unlimited (TU), weekly water sampling in Stekoa Creek resumed in March to test numerous sites in the creek for high levels of fecal coliform and turbidity. Our partners at Rabun TU joined in this year’s campaign to clean up Stekoa through the organization’s Embrace-A-Stream Program, which provided a grant to help pay the lab fees for the water sample tests as well as a team of volunteers to transport the samples to the lab within 6 hours of collection (the maximum “hold time” for EPA’s enforcement guidelines).
What have the water sampling tests revealed? On a consistent basis, the results have documented alarming levels of fecal coliform in Stekoa Creek and several of its tributaries. The water tests have also been directly responsible for identifying 3 major sewage leaks in the Stekoa watershed since March, and ongoing trouble spots caused by the City of Clayton’s leaking sewage collection infrastructure. A comprehensive spreadsheet of this year’s water test results may be viewed on our website at www.chattoogariver.org
The encouraging news is that the outright sewage leaks were fixed, on a case-by case basis, by the city. In addition, a number of city employees have been spurred by the water test results to actively support tasks related to cleaning up Stekoa Creek. For instance: the city marshal has started to post large signs at sewage spill locations to raise public awareness about the health risks associated with polluted water. The city manager has proposed the formation of a task force to address engineering strategies and funding mechanisms for improving Stekoa’s water quality. With approval from the city council, the city marshal and city manager also worked in cooperation with the Chattooga Conservancy in submitting a Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) 319h grant request to fund numerous actions focused solely on improving water quality in Stekoa Creek; this grant request was approved and funding is expected in the spring of 2008.
Large signs now alert the public to major sewage spills in the Stekoa Creek watershed.In addition, the Conservancy is working in cooperation with Chattahoochee National Forest and Sumter National Forest hydrologists to begin water sampling in the Chattooga River at the confluence of the Chattooga and Stekoa as well as several points upstream and downstream of the confluence, to get contemporary baseline information on fecal coliform levels in the Chattooga River caused by Stekoa Creek. The Conservancy is also working in cooperation with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on hosting a meeting in November to address the filling of Stekoa Creek’s floodplain, which is occurring up and down the state highway 441 corridor. This meeting will also address more issues and action steps in restoring impaired streams in the Chattooga River watershed, and participants will include the EPA, EPD, Clayton and Rabun County officials, and other principals. If these partnerships continue to grow and strengthen, it should be entirely possible and attainable to improve Stekoa Creek’s water quality through consistent, multi-year efforts.
Walhalla Watershed Victory
Persistent grassroots activism combined with a focused spirit of cooperation has produced one of the most significant conservation achievements of late for the citizens of upstate South Carolina. The proposed subdivision and development scheme for the Stumphouse Mountain/ Walhalla watershed area that came to light this past February (see spring ’07 Chattooga Quarterly) has been abandoned in favor of protecting the land. Protection will be achieved on just over half of the 950-acre tract through the specific terms of a conservation easement agreement granted by the City of Walhalla, while the rest of the area will be conveyed in December to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources for management under the agency’s Heritage Trust Program. The Chattooga Conservancy worked hard alongside all partners in this effort to turn aside the specter of commercial development in this area, and to advance conservation options for the property.
Countless hours and immeasurable efforts on behalf of citizen activists and conservation organizations were invested in reversing the Walhalla City Council’s nearly-done-deal with the development brokers, who were on a fast track to purchase the city’s 450-acre property on Stumphouse Mountain. As a result of numerous public meetings and accountability sessions, as well as a petition drive, extensive media coverage, and the fact that the developer had a criminal record of fraud, Walhalla’s mayor and city council finally acquiesced to public pressure and changed course by signing a conservation easement agreement for the city’s land on August 12th. The city received a $1.2 million payment from the South Carolina Conservation Bank in return for signing the conservation easement document. More efforts and a $3.1 million incentive brought about the sale of adjoining land from private landowners, totaling 511 acres, to be conveyed at year’s end to South Carolina’s Heritage Trust program. Note, however, that recent negotiations have now redirected 66 of these 511 acres into the ownership of the City of Walhalla. The 66-acre area includes Issaqueena Falls, a
J. Harold Thomas, Frank Holleman, and Buzz Williams at the podium during the “Stumphouse Saved” press conference. Click image for a larger version.
photo courtesy of Anderson Independent-Mail the old railroad bed that is used as a walking trail. This tract will be managed under the terms of a separate conservation easement that will allow for maintaining trails and the option of constructing an unobtrusive replacement waterline (from the Walhalla watershed reservoir to the city), but otherwise mandate no development at all.
As for the original 450-acre tract owned by the City of Walhalla, the conservation easement guidelines are less restrictive. For example, city managers will be allowed to cut timber, and could potentially clearcut large areas and apply herbicides. All that’s required under the conservation easement agreement is for timber harvesting methods to adhere to a plan that complies with the SC Forestry Commission’s “best management practices” (which allow for clearcutting and herbicide application, such as has occurred on this property in the past at the advice of the forestry commission). The city will also be allowed to construct and operate a “public historic center” and up to “3 passive nature parks,” which could include a park manager residence, parking and restroom areas, primitive camping areas and overnight retreat areas, concession and souvenir stores, exhibits, benches, shelters and similar facilities, provided that these developments do not significantly impair the historic and conservation values of the property. In addition, the conservation easement requires any forthcoming development plan from the city to be conveyed in writing, which should allow for public disclosure and oversight opportunities. What about the other 445 acres of the Stumphouse Mountain area that will be DNR-managed land? The tract is slated for the state’s Heritage Trust Program, which was created in 1976 as the first such program in the nation, and whose enabling legislation directs the DNR to set aside a portion of the state’s rich natural and cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. After being conveyed to the DNR, the tract will be subject to a management plan devised specifically for that area. It’s expected that traditional uses will continue to be allowed.
Tuckaluge / Warwoman Timber Sale News
The Chattooga Conservancy is working for a favorable compromise on timber harvesting project put forth last year by the Tallulah Ranger District (Georgia side of the Chattooga watershed). Called the Dan Gap/Buck Branch project, this timber sale plans tree harvesting on both sides of Warwoman Road, in the Tuckaluge Creek/Rabun Bald and Buck Branch/ Warwoman Creek areas. The immediate concern here is the intended use of the Tuckaluge Creek Road for hauling timber, which is problematic because this road is a continual source of sediment into the creek due to its poor location and design, proximity to Tuckaluge Creek, and consistent failure of erosion control measures. Tuckaluge Creek also empties into Warwoman Creek, which is a major tributary to the Chattooga that is already listed by the EPA as a 303(d) impaired stream not providing its designated use for fishing due to too much sediment. Another problem with the project is that timber harvesting is planned for some old growth hardwood stands, 110-174 years old, that merit protection due to their scarcity. The Chattahoochee National Forest is now interested in restarting the Dan Gap/Buck Branch timber sale as a “stewardship” project, where the money generated by selling timber is directed back to the project area to be used for other natural resource concerns in that region. Our overriding concern in the Warwoman watershed is water quality, which is clearly appropriate because in addition to Warwoman Creek, Roach Mill Creek is also listed as being impaired from excessive sediment, and Tuckaluge, Finney and Martin Creeks are on the EPA “watch” list as verging on impairment.
The Dan Gap/Buck Branch project was originally billed as an “oak restoration project” that included thinning stands of white pine in order to allow regeneration of more oak trees. The Chattooga Conservancy will support restoring a greater hardwood component in the project area, as long as no old growth hardwood stands in the area are harvested, and the overarching goal of the project is to improve water quality by reducing sediment sources in the Warwoman Creek watershed. Based on the large Forest Service ownership in the Warwoman Creek watershed and the condition of the agency’s roads, it’s evident that Forest Service roads are responsible for the majority of road-related sediment in the Warwoman watershed. Therefore, reducing road-related sedimentation on Forest Service roads is arguably the most effective action the agency can take to significantly reduce its sediment contribution and substantially improve water quality. This could be achieved, for instance, by decommissioning the Tuckaluge Creek Road. Wouldn’t it be great if additional sediment deposits into Tuckaluge and Warwoman Creeks could be avoided, and the streams were restored to support reproducing populations of trout, including our native Brook trout? We hope that the Forest Service will continue to pursue options for addressing water quality issues in the Warwoman Creek watershed, and that we can move forward collaboratively to improve water quality and to act upon other restoration needs for public land in the upper Warwoman Creek watershed. Look for future updates on this project in the next editions of the Chattooga Quarterly!
Help Needed With Native Plant Restoration in the Andrew Pickens Ranger District
The Chattooga Conservancy has lobbied the Forest Service for several years to prioritize devising a plan for the eradication of invasive non-native species at numerous sites within the Chattooga River Wild & Scenic Corridor where these infestations are particularly severe, and native species are being replaced by non-native invasives including Chinese privet, autumn olive, English ivy, kudzu, paulownia, and Japanese honeysuckle. Typically, these invasive species are fast growing with extensive and persistent root systems, and are capable of massive coverings that choke out competing native vegetation that provides food and habitat for our native animals. Now, we’re pleased that the Andrew Pickens Ranger District of the Sumter National Forest is beginning to address the needed eradication work, and is coupling this effort with restoring native species in the project areas. The district’s native plant restoration project targets three sites totaling 15 acres within the Chattooga Wild & Scenic River Corridor; these sites are known locally as: 1) Ridley fields, 6.67 acres adjacent to Chattooga River and the Cherokee Old Town archaeological site; 2) the state highway 28 boat ramp, 2.49 acres at the river’s bank and around the popular “Section II” put-in; and, 3) low water fields, 6.19 acres at and around a designated camping area along section II of the Chattooga.
Interested in helping the native plant restoration effort? This is great activity to use for a service project, or if you just want to get in a few hours of work for a worthy cause out on our public lands. During the upcoming dormant season, and in cooperation with the Forest Service, we are looking for groups of volunteers to help with replanting the project areas with native species of trees, shrubs, and wildflowers including Fraser magnolia, persimmon, joe-pye weed, snowy hydrangea, black-eyed Susan, smooth sumac, and witch hazel. Please contact the Chattooga Conservancy at 706-782-6097 or info@chattoogariver.org if you would like to join in helping the native plant restoration effort.
Sustainable Agriculture Seed Bank Project
Despite a desperately dry summer, the Chattooga Conservancy’s sustainable agriculture project is well on its way to yielding a bumper crop of heirloom corn. Building on lessons learned with last year’s sustainable agriculture initiative, at the start of the 2007 growing season we began canvassing the Chattooga watershed to find distinctly local varieties of open-pollinated corn. We looked for seed stocks cultivated and handed down for generations, and fortunately, several generous farmers donated seeds that fit the bill. We also looked for prime bottomland for growing a large field of corn. Literally, “pay dirt” was found courtesy of Louis Kilby, who volunteered the use of 2 acres of some of Rabun County’s richest bottomland along Warwoman Creek for planting a local variety of heirloom field corn. The smattering of spring and summer thunderstorms was just enough to germinate and keep the crop growing. By September, there was one of the healthiest stands of corn around, towering upwards of 12 feet tall with ears in excess of 14 inches long. A few ears were sampled at the “roastin’ ear” stage, revealing a pleasingly rich flavor distinctive of this strain of heirloom corn. Most of the corn is now drying on the stalk to be harvested for grinding into corn meal, and for livestock feed. Another distinctive characteristic of this corn is that when baked, the cornmeal produces a remarkable bread that is unique to its origins, and of gourmet quality. Meanwhile, to demonstrate the value of utilizing the whole corn plant, the leaves have been stripped off the plant, then bundled and piled up in the field, producing a fodder-stack of grand proportions for use as livestock feed during the winter months. Seeds will be set aside for next year’s crop, and we hope to grow and share the benefits of this local sustainable agriculture project again.
More on the Upper Chattooga Boating Issue
On September 13th, the Chattooga Conservancy filed comments in response to the Forest Service’s official scoping notice concerning use of the upper Chattooga River. For over a year, this issue has been at the forefront of heated controversies about the possibilities of permitting boating on the upper Chattooga River north of the highway 28 bridge. The central issue at the heart of this intense controversy is: Will there be negative impacts to the “Outstandingly Remarkable Values” of the upper Chattooga River if boating is allowed?
Throughout this time period, the Conservancy’s objective has been to promote use—but not overuse—in order to protect a resource that is becoming especially rare in the eastern United States, based on the underlying position that the dramatic increase in pressure on the Chattooga River to provide compatible and balanced uses will require some restrictions on these competing uses. The Chattooga Conservancy’s comments to the scoping notice are summarized as follows: The question of allowing boating on the upper Chattooga River spills over into many other issues concerning other rivers and streams where boating is either not allowed or restricted, from nearby Overflow Creek to Yellowstone National Park. It also raises questions of whether or not we need restrictions on existing uses of the upper Chattooga River. Consequently, the Forest Service’s decision about the possibility of allowing boating on the upper Chattooga River north of the highway 28 bridge will undoubtedly set a new milestone for wildlands management, not only for the Chattooga River but for the whole wilderness preservation system in the United States.
The upper Chattooga River has outstanding scenery, unique and abundant biological diversity, monumental geologic features and an outstanding opportunity for a wilderness experience in remote backcountry. Allowing unrestricted floating use on the upper Chattooga River would cause irreparable damage to the opportunity for a wilderness experience in the last place left in the whole Chattooga Wild and Scenic River Corridor where that possibility still exists. This opportunity still exists because the upper Chattooga is relatively inaccessible. Boating should not be allowed on the Grimshawes Bridge to Bull Pen Bridge section of the Chattooga, because currently there is not feasible access here. The property at and below Grimshawes Bridge to just below Corkscrew Falls is private property on both sides of the river. If floating use on this section of river were allowed, it would surely result in damage to private property due to navigability issues and unavoidable encroachment on private land caused by portaging rapids, and accessing the river.
Floating use below Bull Pen bridge to highway 28 could be accommodated if use numbers and group sizes were restricted to protect the opportunity for solitude, and if these restrictions were enforced. There are no navigability issues on this section and no new access would be required. This section could probably accommodate up to 4 groups of 4 to 6 paddlers per day, with reasonable spacing between groups. Floating use should be restricted to above 2.8 feet on the highway 76 gauge or, better yet, on a comparable level on a gauge at Bull Pen and or at Burrells Ford bridge. A 2.8 cutoff for these sections would not only ensure a quality run, but would also set a limit that would not overlap with trout fishing on these sections, which does not normally occur above this level.
The issue of dealing with down woody debris in the river is paramount to the question of allowing boating above highway 28. There is nothing more dangerous than a “strainer” in a rapid. Hemlock die off in the headwaters, due to the Hemlock Woolly Adelgid, is now occurring at an alarming rate. Once these trees begin to fall into the Chattooga River, strainers will be common in the headwaters. It would not be consistent with wildlands management to permit removal of down woody debris in wild sections of the Chattooga River or in the Ellicott Rock Wilderness Area. The sections where floating is permitted must be contingent on an understanding by paddlers that down woody debris cannot be removed and that floating will be permitted at the user’s own risk.
Final Settlement for White Bull Timber Sale
This map shows the additonal large patch and small patch old growth stands in the
Chattooga headwaters gained as a result of the White Bull settlement agreement.
Click image for a larger version.
GIS map created by Hugh Irwin, Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition
This map shows the additonal large patch and small patch old growth stands in the Chattooga headwaters gained as a result of the White Bull settlement agreement. GIS map created by Hugh Irwin, Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition