Amicalola Creek

Etowah Scenic River Proposal

A grassroots organization, the Etowah Scenic River Committee, has been formed to protect 21 miles of the Etowah and Amicalola Rivers in North Georgia. The group is lobbying to have sections of these river designated State Scenic Rivers, in accordance with the Georgia’s State Scenic River Act. The Etowah Scenic River Proposal includes 14.4 miles of the Amicalola River, from Lindsey Ford to the confluence of the Etowah River. The study will also include 6.8 miles of the Etowah River. Much of these streams flow across the City of Atlanta tract of Dawson Forest. The proposal follows the requirements of the Georgia Scenic Rivers Act, which protects the river corridor and does not allow dams or other obstructions to the free flowing nature of the river.

These two streams are located in Dawson County within a one-hour drive of most of Metropolitan Atlanta. The area surrounding these streams is heavily wooded and there are no cabins or decks on the banks for the entire 21 miles! This is indeed rare in our rapidly developing area just outside the urban sprawl of metro Atlanta. The Etowah is home to 76 species of aquatic life making it one of the richest rivers in aquatic diversity in the southeast according to Candace Stoughton, Etowah River Project Director for the Nature Conservancy. The Amicalola is a popular canoe and kayak run, with several sections ranging in difficulty from Class I-II on the Upper Amicalola to Class III-IV on the Lower Amicalola.

In the early 1970s, the City of Atlanta purchased 10,000 acres in Dawson County with an eye to building a second airport. When the property was deemed too hilly for the project, the area was left undisturbed and eventually came under the management of the DNR’s Wildlife Resources Division and the Georgia Forestry Commission. Public access and recreational facilities were improved and a forest stewardship program was established. The has become a lush haven for hikers, campers, canoeists, hunters and fishermen. But, the City of Atlanta still contends that the land is reserved for a future airport. The Etowah Scenic River Committee came together after an article was published in the Atlanta Journal Constitution in January about renewed interest in a second airport and a high speed rail link along Highway 400 to Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Due to the rapid development of North Metro Atlanta and the tremendous increase in land value, this 10,000 acre tract is again being eyed for future development projects. Some local real estate brokers have aggressively opposed the Scenic River proposal because they have a large developer interested in the purchasing the tract. Designation of the Etowah and Amicalola as State Scenic Rivers would offer the rivers some protection even if the Dawson Forest is developed.

Leading the Etowah Scenic River Committee is Bill Hess who retired to Dawson County with 30 years experience with the U.S. Forest Service and was responsible for wild and scenic rivers studies in the southeastern states for the Forest Service. The committee has completed the first step of the process, which is local education and support of the proposal. Accomplishments to date include a informational web site, a town hall meeting of over 200 people, and a petition drive that garnered over 1,500 signatures encouraging the county to take action to protect the rivers. The petition was presented to the Dawson County Commissioners at their April 7, 2005 meeting. The commissioners agreed to endorse the proposal but have not sent it to the governor. The committee has also hosted a canoe trip and hike where local commissioners, Representative Amos Amerson, Atlanta City Council member Felicia Moore, Advisor to the governor Terry Demeo-King, as well as media representatives and others were present to discuss and tour the rivers and the proposal.

A major obstacle to the efforts of the committee is the City of Atlanta. As owners of the tract, the entire Atlanta City Council must approve any proposed action. The Georgia Scenic Rivers Act was passed in 1969, but has rarely been used. Designated waterways must be found to have outstanding scenic and recreational qualities. There are only four rivers that have made the list – The Conasauga and Jacks Rivers in the Cohutta Wilderness in northwest Georgia, a portion of Ebenezer Creek near Savannah and the Chattooga River in northeast Georgia. The Chattooga is also a National Wild and Scenic River.

AW is calling on its members for action to help with this proposal. Here is what you can do to help protect our local treasures:

#1) Call, write, and e-mail Governor Sonny Perdue, Dawson County State Legislature Representatives (Chip Pearson, Amos Amerson, and David Ralston), Mayor Shirley Franklin, and all the Atlanta City Council Members, epically the transportation committee. Tell them how much you value these rivers and you support the proposal of making them State Scenic Rivers.

#2) Help us spread the word. Tell family, friends and others about the proposal. We need strong public support to get this passed.

For additional information, contact information, sample letters, and on-line petitions visit www.EtowahScenicRiver.org.

Many AW members are familiar with these wonderful rivers. The AW Amicalola web page is also full of great information. We request that everyone do their part to help get this proposal passed. For additional information or opportunities to volunteer feel free to call Dan Centofanti at 770-380-1488.