Stream Buffer Destruction

Georgia law requires a 25-foot vegetation buffer around all state waters and 50-foot if it is trout water or the Chattahoochee River. Some local authorities have larger buffer requirements. It is illegal to impact these buffer areas in any way.

What to do:

Take pictures to document evidence if possible.

• Note location of buffer destruction.
• Note time of buffer destruction.

Who to contact:

To report an incident of buffer destruction, contact your local authorities first.

If local Authorities can not be contacted, or does not respond to the buffer problem contact the Georgia Environmental Protection Division:

Non-point Source Program, Watershed Protection Branch: 404-675-6240

District Compliance Offices:
Atlanta: 404-362-2671
Cartersville: 770-387-4900
Athens: 706-369-6376
Macon: 478-751-6612
Columbus: 706-562-1571
Augusta: 706-792-7744
Savannah: 912-353-3225
Brunswick: 912-264-7284
Albany: 229-430-4144

Also please contact and report the problem to Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper staff:

• Darcie Holcomb (Gainesville): for problems in Hall, Lumpkin, Habersham and White Counties.
• Jason Ulseth: for problems in Atlanta and all other counties.

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Please also visit these sections:
Fish Kill
Sewage Spill
Non-sewage Spill
Muddy Water from Construction Sites
Land Use/Zoning Issues
Local Government Contacts