09 LC 94
1192
Senate
Resolution 619
By:
Senators Jackson of the 2nd and Tolleson of the 20th
ADOPTED
SENATE
A
RESOLUTION
Requesting
that the Environmental Protection Division lead efforts to evaluate the
appropriate deficit from natural for dissolved oxygen in the Savannah Harbor to
allow for protection of aquatic species and the economic viability of the
region; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
the existing total maximum daily load (TMDL) for dissolved oxygen (DO) for the
Savannah Harbor was adopted in 2006 and sets the biochemical oxygen demand
allowable inputs level at zero; and
WHEREAS,
the current standard is generally recognized as unattainable, and development of
a new water quality standard and TMDL for the Savannah River is necessary for
the long-term environmental protection of the river basin and harbor as well as
the communities that are dependent on the river; and
WHEREAS,
on December 3, 2008, the Board of Natural Resources adopted proposed amendments
to rules for water quality control pertaining to the Savannah Harbor's DO
standard; and
WHEREAS,
the new water quality standard for the Savannah Harbor includes a provision for
allowing a DO deficit of 0.1 mg/L due to natural conditions and up to 10 percent
of the DO level which must be protective of aquatic life; and
WHEREAS,
municipal and industrial point source discharges would bear a majority of the
burden to achieve the water quality standard even though such discharges
contribute to only a small percentage of the decreased DO levels in the harbor;
and
WHEREAS,
the current standard will prohibit any new discharges or expansion of existing
discharges unless offset by reduction of an existing permitted discharge and
will seriously threaten the economic vitality and development of the entire
Savannah River Basin; and
WHEREAS,
the Savannah Harbor is a highly modified system designed to support a deepwater
port, and modification of the harbor depth has essentially changed the use of
the harbor and the quality of habitat for the aquatic life present;
and
WHEREAS,
the DO standard adopted by the Board of Natural Resources could recognize the
change of the system by allowing a greater DO deficit in the deepwater portions
of the system rather than in the off-channel, shallow regions; and
WHEREAS,
support for a DO deficit higher than 0.1 mg/L in harbor waters requires an
evaluation of how aquatic life may be affected, and much of the background work
for this analysis was done as part of the standard development process for the
system; and
WHEREAS,
it is important that any evaluation be focused on areas where temperature and
salinity are suitable for the species during the time of year in which the
habitat is used; and
WHEREAS,
there is flexibility incorporated into the proposed DO standard for Savannah
Harbor, and assessing how to utilize that flexibility, where DO deficit can vary
from 0.1 mg/L to 10 percent of natural value, should balance protection of the
environment with the economic viability of the region.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body request
that the Environmental Protection Division lead the efforts, in coordination
with stakeholders, to develop a process establishing an appropriate DO deficit
for the Savannah Harbor to allow for protection of aquatic species and the
economic viability of the region.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed
to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to to the director of the
Environmental Protection Division and the members of the Board of Natural
Resources.