THE GEORGIA EROSION & SEDIMENTATION ACT (GESA) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

THE GEORGIA EROSION &
SEDIMENTATION ACT (GESA)
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

The Georgia Erosion & Sedimentation Act (GESA) of 1957, as amended 2015 - ans-
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The State Law that may be incorporated into a local ordinance and enforced by a county or
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municipality, and is sometimes refereed to as the E&S Act sq sq sq sq sq sq sq sq sq




Erosion in Georgia is the result of what activities that convert the land from one use to anoth
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er? - ans-Construction, Agriculture, Forestry
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Land Disturbing Activities - ans-
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Land Disturbing Activities are governed on the Federal, State, and Local level.
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History of GESA - ans-April 24th 1975-
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George Busbee, Governor of the State of Georgia, signed into law as Act 599, the Erosion
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and Sedimentation Act of 1975 (O.C.G.A. 12-7-
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1 et. seq.). With the passage of the E&S Act, Georgia joined very few states who had adopt
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ed legislation specifically designed to protect soil and water resources.
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What is the intent of GESA? - ans-
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To strengthen and extend the present erosion and sediment control activities and program
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s of this state.
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To provide for the establishment and implementation of a state-
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wide comprehensive soil erosion and sediment control program.
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To conserve and protect the land, water, air, and other resources of the state.
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Participating Agencies with GESA - ans-Local Issuing Authorities (LIA)
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Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission (GSWCC)
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Georgia Environment Protection Division (GA EPD)
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Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)
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Erosion and Sediment Control Plan sq sq sq sq

, (O.C.G.A. 12-7-3(8)) - ans- sq sq sq




A plan for the control of soil erosion and sediment resulting from a land-disturbing activity.
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Land- Disturbing Activity sq sq




(O.C.G.A. 12-7-3(9)) - ans- sq sq sq




Any activity which may result in soil erosion from water or wind and the movement of sedim
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ents into state water or onto lands within the State.
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Give examples of Land Disturbing Activities
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(O.C.G.A. 12-7-3(9)) - ans- sq sq sq




Clearing, Dredging, Grading, Excavating, Transporting, Filling of Land
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Local Issuing Authority sq sq




(O.C.G.A. 12-7-3(10)) - ans- sq sq sq




The governing authority of any county or municipality which is certifies pursuant to subsecti
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on (a) of Code Section 12-7-8 (Certified by GA EPD-
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Georgia Environmental Protection Division)
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Manual for Erosion & Sediment Control in Georgia (O.C.G.A. 12-7-3(10.2)) - ans-
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The published guidance of the GSWCC (Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission)
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governing the design and practices to be utilized in the protection of this state's natural reso
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urces from erosion and sedimentation which shall be based upon sound engineering princi
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ples and repeatable bench field testing of structural and vegetative best management pract
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ices.

Purpose of Overview Council - ans- sq sq sq sq sq




Approve the Manual for Erosion & Sediment Control in Georgia prior to publication by GSW
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CC (Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission).
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Provide guidance on the installation and maintenance of best management practices for th
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e preparation of plans.
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Overview Council is Composed of 9 Members - ans-House of Representatives
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Senate
GA *Department *Of *Transportation
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GA *Environmental *Protection *Division
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State & Road Tollway Authority sq sq sq sq




Environmental Engineer sq




Highway Contracting Industry sq sq




Electric Utility Industry sq sq




Chairperson

Local Ordinance sq




O.C.G.A. 12-7-8(a)(3) - ans- sq sq sq




The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) may certify a county or municipality as a Loc
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al Issuing Authority if they enact an ordinance which meets or exceeds the standards, requi
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