Accomplishments

2009

Advocated for common sense solutions to the Tri-State Water dispute in the wake of Judge Paul Magnuson’s stunning ruling on July 17, 2009, which curtails metro Atlanta’s access to its primary water supply source, Lake Lanier. Educated media, elected officials and the public about the complexities of this dispute; developed strategies to use this ruling as an opportunity to improve water management in the region; and presented recommendations to state and regional leaders.


Expanded our No Time to Waste Community Water Campaign. Created and distributed more than 1000 citizen guides to becoming more water and energy efficient; presented our newly-revised Tapped Out PowerPoint to more than 1500 people; secured funding to work with eight local metro governments to highlight conservation successes and promote their efforts; and held rain barrel workshops in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company.


Successfully advocated revisions to Metro Water Planning District plans, including quantitative metrics to assess the plans, green infrastructure requirements, and the removal of Flint River dams; garnered significant media attention around the plan’s inadequate conservation measures and failure to provide a plan b, should Lake Lanier be ruled off-limits for water supply.


Celebrated the City of Atlanta’s completion of the rehabilitation program for Sewer Group 1—300 miles of the most dilapidated lines in the sewer system that had been polluting city streams for years.


Settled our lawsuit with a Harris County developer who illegally dammed a tributary, impacting thousands of feet of streams to build an amenity lake for a subdivision—to include removal of the dam, stream restoration and funds for local group.

Filed a complaint against the City of Cumming for serious stream buffer and erosion violations at a development located near Lake Lanier, polluting Sawnee Creek, a tributary to the lake; secured stop-work orders and enforcement actions by regulatory agencies at 15 additional development sites.

Celebrated 10 years of educating elementary, middle, and high school students on board our floating classroom on Lake Lanier, operated in partnership with Elachee Nature Science Center.

Played major role in the defeat of state legislation that would have expedited the permitting of a dam on a tributary to the Chattahoochee in south Fulton County (HB 406) for an amenity reservoir; submitted extensive comments to federal and state regulatory agencies in opposition to two proposed reservoirs, Bear Creek Reservoir and Glades Reservoir , both amenity lakes, and worked with the media to highlight the problems with these projects.


Organized or supported more than 20 cleanups and 11 paddle trips involving hundreds of supporters and members, including West Atlanta Watershed Alliance, and removing 80 tons of trash from the Chattahoochee watershed; also purchased a new vehicle to haul our boats and canoe/kayak trailer and transport paddlers.


Launched new website and completed new 3-minute video about UCR for use on website and other forums; recognized local design and broadcast studio RIOT Atlanta at the River Revival with our new River Rock Star Award for pro bono assistance with these projects.


Held four successful major events with higher levels of participation: Wild and Scenic Film Festival, Spring River Revival, Back to the Chattahoochee Race and Festival and Patron Appreciation Dinner, at which event we recognized Mayor Shirley Franklin and others.


Achieved a 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for sound fiscal management and ability to efficiently manage and grow our finances.