The Dredge Report #3

(photo by Bill Cotter)

As we inch ever-closer to The Dredge, let’s take a look at the cast of characters in this complex enterprise:

The Guys on The Ground:

Georgia Development Partners: this company will do the heavy lifting---re-shaping the streambank, creating a kinder, gentler slope into the creek. They’ll be removing silt, spoils, and suspended solids from the lakebed as well.
GeoRay: these engineers provide the “blueprints” for construction and removal. They will have a project manager on site.
AquaPlanet: This company will manage fish removal and setting up the aquaponics facility. We are working out the details of the facility, logistics, and ongoing maintenance. The contract is still under review and a location for the structure is being determined.

The Guys With the Cash:

The Feds: the stimulus money that is underwriting our stream bank restoration grant originated here.
The State: federal fund were then passed on to GEFA (Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority), a state agency that manages the funds and disburses them to Pine Lake as work progresses.
The County: the restoration grant requires that we pay for half of the total budget. Dekalb County has given us our half in exchange for our portion of water management. In other words, the cost to the city is zero.

The Guys At Home:

City of Pine Lake: On Monday May 1st council approved all but one of the contracts (AquaPlanet). Once work at the lake begins Phil Howland will be our on-site staff.

Please sign up to receive these emails (TheDredgeReport@gmail.com) and to send in questions, or if you want to volunteer for the community committee working on the aquaponics (www.aquaplanetonline.com) site. You can also contact Phil Howland at City Hall. For more information about stream bank restoration, check out www.wildlandhydrology.com

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