Extreme, Severe Drought Expand Across Georgia

Athens, GA - Drought conditions continue to worsen across the entire state. Of Georgia's 159 counties, 74 are classified as being in extreme drought, 79 in severe drought and six in moderate drought.
May 23, 2007

Town Hall Meetings On Statewide Water Plan

The Water Council has scheduled a third series of town hall meetings around the state to discuss the statewide water planning effort and to give citizens an opportunity to ask questions and offer comments on this important project. These meetings will focus on integrated policies for water quantity and water quality as well as introduce sub-state planning guidance.
May 22, 2007

Breaking Water Rules Can Result In Hefty Fines

Driving too fast can get you a hefty fine. Watering your lawn during restricted hours or days can land you a big fine, too.

"You typically get two warnings. And the third time, you're fined," said Rose Mary Seymour, a water specialist with the University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

May 20, 2007

State House Update from Rep. Jan Jones

Few education-related bills pass the Georgia General Assembly each year.  Since they affect 1.5 million public school students, it's good to be thoughtful and deliberate when it comes to structural change. Nine education bills passed the House and Senate this session and await the Governor's signature.  To be accurate, fewer than nine individual bills passed after several were grouped together during the final days of session. 
May 18, 2007

Georgia’s Current SCORP Expires in September 2007

To ensure continued service to current and future Georgians, the Department of Natural Resources’ Parks, Recreation and Historic Sites Division (PRHSD) formulates a comprehensive statewide recreation policy every five years. Georgia’s current SCORP expires in September 2007.
May 17, 2007

Georgia Under Level-2 Water Restrictions

Designed to help Georgians save water during a drought, the state's outdoor water-use regulations include some helpful exemptions.
May 13, 2007

Hartwell Not on List of Impaired Waters

In a recent acknowledgement of the trouble some of our lakes are in, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has proposed to add three major lakes and additional sections of a fourth major lake to Georgia’s list of impaired waters (305(b)/303(d) Integrated List of Waters). Lake Hartwell is not on the list.
May 10, 2007

Professional Car Washes Use Less Water

With a restricted schedule for outdoor water uses statewide, when can you wash your car? A University of Georgia expert says you'll save time and water during the drought if you do it at a car wash.
May 8, 2007

Hartwell Dam Run Needs Volunteers

The Hartwell Dam Run, one of Georgia's most scenic 5K and 10K races, will be Saturday, May 5, and volunteers are needed. Call Michael Crum at the Hart County Chamber of Commerce (706) 376-8590 for more information.
May 4, 2007

Young Fisherman Places in Bass Tournament

Brad Rutherford, 16, of Lavonia, GA, placed fourth in the Junior World Bassmaster Championship on Alabama's Logan Martin Lake in Pell City on February 18, 2007. Rutherford's catch weighed seven pounds. The winning fish weighed seven pounds, eight ounces.
May 1, 2007

Hart County GOP Meeting Changed

The Hart County Republican Party (HCGOP) will hold its monthly meeting one week earlier in May due to the State Republican Convention being held in Lawrenceville. The meeting date has been move to Saturday, May 12, 2007, in the conference room at Fletcher's Restaurant, Highway 29 North in Hartwell at 8:30 a.m.
Apr 30, 2007

Moratorium on New Dock Permit Applications at Lake Lanier

Lake Sidney Lanier, GA - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Lake Sidney
Lanier began implementation of a moratorium on accepting new
appointments/applications for private boat dock permits on Friday, April 27,
2007.
Apr 30, 2007

Drought Extreme Across South Georgia

Athens, Ga. -- Extreme drought conditions have developed across southeast and south-central Georgia. Another week with little or no rain and temperatures in the 70s and 80s have led to worsening drought conditions statewide.
Apr 27, 2007

Go Fish Georgia Initiative

Go Fish Georgia is a $30 million initiative that will leverage $19 million in state funds with private donations and financial support from local communities. The purpose of the Go Fish Georgia Initiative is to promote and enhance boating and fishing tourism and to boost economic development in communities across the state.
Apr 24, 2007

Canyon Climbers Club

For years, marathon runners have endured long distances in their quest for bragging rights and prestigious t-shirts. Now, state park hikers have their own conquest that ends with an exclusive “I did it!” t-shirt. Georgia’s new Canyon Climbers Club is reserved for those few who have scaled to the top of Amicalola Falls, explored the depths of Providence Canyon, braved the swinging bridge in Tallulah Gorge and faced the daunting staircase in Cloudland Canyon.
Apr 24, 2007