Flint Riverkeeper received reports last summer (2023) of discharge heavily polluted with sediment from the construction of the QTS Data center along Sandy Creek, a tributary of Whitewater Creek in Fayette County. We initiated investigation and set up monitoring, which has included sampling of polluted discharge onto private property and into Sandy Creek. The team is comprised of Flint Riverkeeper and local Adopt-A-Stream volunteers. Flint Riverkeeper has also documented these issues using drones and fixed-wing aircraft piloted by volunteers.

Monitoring activity was intensified during the winter of 2023/24 showing that water polluted by heavy sediment loads, many, many times allowable limits, were leaving the construction site during every rain event greater that three-quarters of an inch.

The City of Fayetteville has enforcement authority over state erosion and sedimentation issues, delegated from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division. During this past winter Flint Riverkeeper repeatedly sought enforcement action from the City, including at a detailed, sit-down meeting in March. The City did issue several stop-work orders, but to no avail. The uncontrolled sediment continued to impact private property adjacent to the site plus Sandy and Whitewater Creeks, including Lake Bennett (an impoundment of Whitewater Creek).

In Georgia, a property owner clearing greater than the minimum acreage threshold stated in GA EPD regulations must control the sediment in runoff within regulatory standards for any rain event that is at or less than the ’25-year, 24-hour’ statistical event. In the portion of the Georgia piedmont where Fayette County is situated that number is between 6 and 7 inches, a stout rain indeed. Further, under Georgia law a party responsible for depositing polluted water and accumulated sediment on a downstream neighbor’s private property can be held responsible for such damages. And, under federal law (the U. S. Clean Water Act) the polluter can be held responsible for their discharges regardless of ‘compliance’ (a frequent argument) with state-approved ‘best practices’ for sediment control.

It is worth noting that during this same time period Flint Riverkeeper was investigating and monitoring discharges from the QTS site there was a massive excavation and cleanup of sediments deposited in Lake Bennett from a separate development on Whitewater Creek. This cleanup was a result of a legal settlement between that developer, lakeshore property owners, and Flint Riverkeeper that was finalized last year. 

City assurances continued into the spring but eventually, in the face of continued pollution, Flint Riverkeeper was compelled to notify the delegating authority, GA EPD (their Watershed Protection Branch), of complete failure by the City and the developer to properly address the issues. Each significant rain event produced continued polluted discharge. We continued to share our data with both the City and GA EPD. However, during this period we also began to assemble our resources to prepare for legal action against the developer, informing everyone involved of that posture.

After several more weeks the City issued another in a string of stop-work orders. This time the cessation of work on the site other than that associated with erosion control was noticeable, observable. Also, the City kept us informed of progress by the developer as they modified their physical structures to deal with erosion control.

Since the lifting of that order by the City there has been one significant rain event at and near the site. It was a bit in excess of two inches. Our monitoring team observed positive results. There was no detectable pollution discharging to either private property or to Sandy Creek. We are cautiously optimistic. Certainly some meaningful improvements have taken place, but Flint Riverkeeper staff and Adopt-A-Stream volunteers will continue monitoring the QTS site and surrounding area to determine if these results are sustainable. 

Flint Riverkeeper is a proud member of local stakeholders in Albany working to increase river recreation in the downtown riverfront. After a good bit of planning and a test trip, we are excited to offer the opportunity of a tubing adventure to the public. More information and registration can be found HERE.

The annual Lee Country Rivers Alive cleanup is scheduled for September 21 and your help is needed! You can sign up as a volunteer HERE. This event is always a great day as volunteers from across the watershed come to beautiful Lee County to assist in the protection and restoration of the Flint River.

The cool and crisp evenings of fall are just around the corner which means it is time to save the date of October 25 on your calendars! Flint Riverkeeper's annual For the Flint Gala and Auction will be held in a new venue this year, the property of Mr. and Mrs. Greg Arnette in Gay, GA.

We're very excited to bring our event to this new location and we believe you will love the unique setting normally not open to the public.

The Gala begins at 6pm with cocktail hour and ends around 9:30pm. Silent and live auctions will take place to raise funds for Flint Riverkeeper's mission. It is a family friendly event all are welcome to join and partake in the evening.

Invitations will begin arriving in your mailbox soon and everything will be available for an online RSVP shortly...so stay tuned for more information!

We look forward to seeing you in Gay on October 25 as we celebrate our outstanding river!

*All dates subject to change due to hurricanes, droughts, college football schedules, and hunting seasons.

Downtown Albany Tubing Adventure - September 7 2024

Flint Riverkeeper is a proud member of a local stakeholder group working to increase river recreation along Albany's riverfront. You can find more information and registration HERE.

House Committee on Navigable Streams and Related Issues Meeting - September 20 2024

Chaired by Representative Lynn Smith, this committee's first meeting in which public comments will be heard is at Unicoi State Park. More details soon.

Lee County Rivers Alive Cleanup - September 21 2024

Join Lee County River Alive and Flint Riverkeeper for our annual partnership cleanup along the creeks and river in Lee County. Registration HERE.

Keep Albany Dougherty Beautiful Cleanup - October 5 2024

A great annual community-wide cleanup in Albany. For more information and registration contact jessica@flintriverkeeper.org.

For the Flint, Annual Gala and Auction - October 25 2024

Our favorite evening of the year! Registration information coming soon!