The Upper Ocmulgee River Soil and Water Conservation District strives to protect soil and water resources in Newton and Jasper Counties. While Jasper County remains predominantly rural, Newton County has become more urban in nature. Considering the potential environmental impacts from land disturbing activities to Newton County’s streams and stream buffers and possible Federal Clean Water Act violations, a thorough review of the erosion and sediment control plans is important. The Newton County Board of Commissioners contracts with the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission on behalf of the county and the soil and water conservation district to fund the erosion and sediment control coordinator position to review these plans. Currently Susan Castle performs these reviews and is committed to ensuring the plans will be compliant with state and federal requirements.

Occasionally plans fail to meet minimum state requirements for erosion and sediment control design despite repeated plan reviews and requested plan corrections. The District has enacted a 30-Day Plan Review Hold on plans that fail to meet minimum requirements after three reviews have been done. Plans resubmitted for subsequent reviews will have the plan review withheld for 30 days.

By providing a thorough review of the erosion and sediment control plans, the Upper Ocmulgee SWCD aids in protecting Newton County’s valuable environmental resources.