USDA-NRCS Ground Breaking Ceremony for Rehabilitation on Georgia Flood Control Structures

L-R: Herman Wheatley, Chairman Broad River Soil & Water Conservation District, Brent Dykes, Executive Director Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission, Everett Carey, landowner, James Tillman, Sr., State Conservationist USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, and David Jackson, Chairman Oconee River Soil & Water Conservation District

NRCS NEWS RELEASE:

USDA-NRCS HELD GROUND BREAKING CEREMONY FOR THE REHABILITATION OF FIVE FLOOD CONTROL STRUCTURES IN GEORGIA

ATHENS, GA, November 15, 2010 - James E. Tillman, Sr., State Conservationist for the USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Georgia today announced that the agency recently held a groundbreaking ceremony and project review at three American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 dam rehabilitation sites.

The three dams are: South River #4 in Madison County, Sandy Creek #15 in Jackson County and Marbury #22 in Barrow County. Other projects that are part of the ARRA are Little Sandy & Trail Creek #1 in Madison County and Sandy Creek #23 in Jackson County.

Watershed dams, originally built to protect agricultural lands from floods are now protecting homes, roads, and utilities from flood waters. As a result, they are being upgraded, or rehabilitated to meet current public safety standards.

All five dams are scheduled to be completed by August 2011. The first project started, Marbury #22 in Barrow County, began September 29 and is scheduled to be completed by December 11. The second project, Sandy Creek #15 in Jackson County, started work October 18. The estimated completion date for this one is August 18, 2011. The third project, Little Sandy & Trail Creek #1 in Madison County was started October 25, and has an estimated completion date of January 25, 2011. South River #4 is scheduled to start November 15 with a completion date of May 5, 2011. Sandy Creek #23 is scheduled to start December 5 and it should be completed by July 5, 2011.

The Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Executive Director, Brent Dykes, said, "The Conservation Commission is pleased to be partnering with the local soil and water conservation districts and the USDA-NRCS to fund these very worthwhile projects. As work begins, much needed rehabilitation of these five structures will be accomplished, resulting in continued flood control benefits for Georgia citizens for years to come."

Funding is being provided through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.

The NRCS is delivering over $5 million in financial assistance through its Watershed Rehabilitation Program, which is being matched by almost $3 million in state funds through the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission.

This year represents the 75th year of NRCS helping people help the land. Since its inception in 1935, the NRCS conservation delivery system has advanced a unique partnership with state and local governments and private landowners delivering conservation based on specific, local conservation needs, while accomplishing state and national interests.