North Georgia environmental database compilation for cumulative impact assessments of reservoirs

Abstract

In the course of processing numerous permit application packages for Section 404 and Section 10 permits, the US Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District, Regulatory Branch must prepare case documents to analyze the affects of issuing these permits. Due to the increasing number of large and complex projects, a larger area of effect must be considered in determining whether cumulative impacts are significant. Access to available data is important in completing the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process, and in processing applications uniformly and with scientific basis. To increase our ability to assess cumulative impacts, we have initiated a data collection effort that will allow us to assess the effects of project proposals, along with past, present and reasonably foreseeable future actions, as defined by the Council on Environmental Quality. Savannah District coordinated with key state and federal agencies, and non-governmental organizations to develop a list of parameters that each agency feels is requisite in determining cumulative impacts. This presentation will address our efforts to gather data layers for assessing cumulative impacts of reservoir projects in the State of Georgia.