Watering

This webpage has been developed as a service to our customers to make sure you have the most accurate and timely information available regarding the important issue of outdoor watering during the 2008 spring season. Current information as we know it will be displayed immediately below this statement and in navy print. Previous releases are listed chronologically scrolling downward and in gray print - the last entry is the February 6, 2008 declaration by the Governor.

Of equal interest to all of us in the green industry is enabling the gardening public to water during periods of bans and restrictions because our current reality may actually become a way of life in our region. We - that's you as a retailer and us as your favorite supplier - have to help get gardeners "off the meter" for outside watering. Websites we like include a local rainbarrel supplier at www.greenwatersystemsUSA.com (see our Events page for Wintergreen 2008) plus great practical information at www.rainbarrelguide.com and the Texax A & M website at http://rainwaterharvesting.tamu.edu/rainwaterbasics.html. Them Texans are on the ball - they have excellent info!

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March 10, 2008 - HB 1281 is now SB1281.

March 4, 2008 - HB 1281 passed the House and is moving to the Senate for consideration.

The following is from Inside Ag for the week of February 18:

HB 1281 - Water resources; local government restrictions; more restrictive than state; prohibit - After considerable discussion in recent weeks, Rep. Terry England introduced this bill, along with a very strong list of co-sponsors, to help the landscape industry and others escape the tightening grip of local authorities when it comes to outdoor water use restrictions. It simply states that should a county or local government wish to go beyond the state authorized water use restrictions that they plead their case to the state permitting authority (Georgia EPD) and gain approval for the proposed restrictions. That would help keep local authorities in check so they do not kill local businesses that rely on access to outdoor water uses. In addition, should a county be placed under statewide drought restrictions, they could meet with EPD to request opting out of the state restrictions if they can prove they have the water available to meet needs in the future. Several counties are already interested in such a provision so they can grow their economic base and satisfy the interests of citizens. These are welcome measures for the urban agriculture industry, which has already suffered over $2 billion in economic losses since drought measures were implemented. It has been assigned to the House Natural Resources Committee and could get a hearing next week.

FOLLOWING IS A COPY OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO REDBUD LANE NURSERY ON FEBRUARY 14, 2008

From: All Extension Personnel [mailto:EXTALL@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Todd Hurt
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2008 8:27 AM
To: EXTALL@LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Executive Order on Watering Issued

Here is the press release that was issued last night. It is amazingly clear and easy to read. However we have a few unanswered questions that I hope to have addressed today in a conference call with EPD. We will let you know how that goes. In this press release they do not mention time of day for watering new landscapes. They have also not defined what is considered a new landscape. They are working updating the Frequently Asked Questions to help define all of the gray areas. We are also working to get you an answer on the Governor's executive order from last October that restricted State facilities from being able to install new landscapes. As of right now we are still under that order.

For more information, contact:
Georgia Drought Response Unified Command Joint Information Center
EPD: Kevin Chambers, (404) 651-7970
GEMA: Lisa Janak, (404) 635-7020
GDPH: Belen Moran, (404) 657-3288
GEFA: Shane Hix, (404) 584-1043
Inquiries

News Release
Georgia EPD Order Brings Some Relief for Parched Landscape, Pools
(ATLANTA) -- Citizens in 61 drought-stricken north Georgia counties can fill swimming pools and hand water their landscape effective immediately, according to an order issued by the director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). However the water use exemptions must also have the approval of the local water provider, such as a local government or water utility.

Hand watering of existing landscape must be done between midnight and 10 a.m. on designated days based on odd-numbered and even-numbered addresses for no more than 25 minutes. Odd -numbered addresses may water Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Hand watering is defined as one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle that shuts off automatically when it is released.

There are no clock or calendar restrictions on the filling of swimming pools, although local water providers must also agree to the pool exemption. The swimming pool exemption was granted due to concerns that neglected and partially filled pools could pose risks to public health and safety, said EPD Director Carol A. Couch.

Director Couch also ordered that people who successfully complete an Outdoor Water Use Registration Program be allowed to water newly installed landscape up to three days a week following the odd-even schedule for a period of ten weeks following planting. Registrants learn proper watering techniques and the importance of water conservation. The Outdoor Water Use Registration Program will be available online at www.urbanagcouncil.com beginning March 15, 2008. Citizens can also contact their county extension agents for information about the registration.

Director Couch also announced that starting April 1, monthly water use in the 61-county drought area would be compared to April-September 2007 average monthly water use. Governor Sonny Perdue has ordered that water use in the region be reduced by at least 10 percent, and emphasized that water conservation goals must still be achieved even with the exemptions.

The Drought Response Unified Command comprises the directors of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, and the Georgia Division of Public Health. It was established by Governor Sonny Perdue to coordinate the state's role in mitigating the effects of Georgia's ongoing drought. For more information, visit www.droughtjic.org.

News Release dated February 12, 2008

Following is a copy of information provided to us February 13:

Dear Extension Collegues,

Here is the press release that was issued last night. It is amazingly clear and easy to read. However we have a few unanswered questions that I hope to have addressed today in a conference call with EPD. We will let you know how that goes. In this press release they do not mention time of day for watering new landscapes. They have also not defined what is considered a new landscape. They are working updating the Frequently Asked Questions to help define all of the gray areas. We are also working to get you an answer on the Governor's executive order from last October that restricted State facilities from being able to install new landscapes. As of right now we are still under that order.

--
Todd Hurt
Training Coordinator
UGA Center for Urban Agriculture
1109 Experiment St.
Redding Building Rm. 205
Griffin, GA 30223
770-229-3251
thurt@uga.edu

News Release
Georgia EPD Order Brings Some Relief for Parched Landscape, Pools
(ATLANTA) -- Citizens in 61 drought-stricken north Georgia counties can fill swimming pools and hand water their landscape effective immediately, according to an order issued by the director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). However the water use exemptions must also have the approval of the local water provider, such as a local government or water utility.

Hand watering of existing landscape must be done between midnight and 10 a.m. on designated days based on odd-numbered and even-numbered addresses for no more than 25 minutes. Odd –numbered addresses may water Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Even-numbered addresses may water Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Hand watering is defined as one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle that shuts off automatically when it is released.

There are no clock or calendar restrictions on the filling of swimming pools, although local water providers must also agree to the pool exemption. The swimming pool exemption was granted due to concerns that neglected and partially filled pools could pose risks to public health and safety, said EPD Director Carol A. Couch.

Director Couch also ordered that people who successfully complete an Outdoor Water Use Registration Program be allowed to water newly installed landscape up to three days a week following the odd-even schedule for a period of ten weeks following planting. Registrants learn proper watering techniques and the importance of water conservation. The Outdoor Water Use Registration Program will be available online at www.urbanagcouncil.com beginning March 15, 2008. Citizens can also contact their county extension agents for information about the registration.

Director Couch also announced that starting April 1, monthly water use in the 61-county drought area would be compared to April-September 2007 average monthly water use. Governor Sonny Perdue has ordered that water use in the region be reduced by at least 10 percent, and emphasized that water conservation goals must still be achieved even with the exemptions.
The Drought Response Unified Command comprises the directors of the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority, and the Georgia Division of Public Health. It was established by Governor Sonny Perdue to coordinate the state's role in mitigating the effects of Georgia's ongoing drought. For more information, visit www.droughtjic.org.

# # #
Water Conservation Tip: When you water, aim the nozzle at the base of the plants so more water will reach the roots.
www.epd.org www.gema.state.ga.us www.gefa.org www.health.state.ga.us

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Flexibility in Outdoor Watering Restrictions

As announced by Governor Perdue

February 6, 2008

· Hand watering will be allowed for 25 minutes per day on an odd-even schedule between midnight and 10 a.m. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesday, Thursday, and Sunday. Even numbered addresses can water on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. Hand water is defined as one person with one garden hose with a spray nozzle that shuts off when it is released.

· New professionally installed landscape can be watered up to three days a week from midnight to 10 a.m. for a period of 10 weeks based on the odd/even schedule. The new schedule will ensure the survival of new landscape without requiring more water than what is being used under the current 30-day exemption.

· Anyone wishing to water new professionally installed landscape must register with the Outdoor Water Use Registration Program. The program will be hosted on the Urban Agricultural Council website at Urban Ag Council.com beginning April 1, when the outdoor watering exemptions take effect. Georgians may also contact their county extension agents for assistance in getting registered.