Bill Overview
Title: Chattahoochee River Act
Description: This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to provide design and construction assistance for water-related resource protection and restoration projects that affect the Chattahoochee River Basin. The basin is located in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida. Specifically, the bill requires USACE to provide assistance to state and local agencies and tribal entities for projects that include (1) sediment and erosion control, (2) ecosystem restoration, (3) protection of essential public works, and (4) the beneficial uses of dredged material. Further, the bill requires USACE, stakeholders, and state and local agencies to develop a comprehensive Chattahoochee River Basin restoration plan. The plan must give priority to eligible projects that will also improve the quality or quantity of the water or that use natural hydrological features and systems.
Sponsors: Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7]
Target Audience
Population: People living within the Chattahoochee River Basin
Estimated Size: 5000000
- The Chattahoochee River Basin spans Georgia, Alabama, and Florida, affecting residents in these states.
- Projects will involve ecosystem restoration, erosion control, and water quality improvement, impacting local communities relying on the river.
- USACE will assist state, local, and tribal entities, indicating federal-level support will influence local governance and planning.
- Water-related resource protection projects will improve environmental and public health, affecting the wellbeing of communities in the basin.
- Local economies that rely on the river for recreation, fishing, and tourism will see changes.
- Implementation will impact USACE personnel directly and provide employment opportunities related to construction and environmental management.
Reasoning
- The population primarily affected includes residents living along the Chattahoochee River Basin in Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.
- The projects will focus on ecosystem restoration, erosion control, and water quality improvement, benefiting communities that depend on the river for daily life and economic activity.
- The policy implementation will create employment opportunities, potentially improving immediate wellbeing for those hired as well as long-term community health benefits.
- Not all individuals in the basin will be directly impacted; varied levels of direct policy impact are expected based on proximity to the river and reliance on its resources.
- The budget constraints indicate that only certain prioritized projects will receive funding, affecting the degree and speed of positive outcomes.
Simulated Interviews
Environmental Scientist (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I believe the Chattahoochee River Act is a fantastic step towards preserving our local environment and ensuring sustainable management of our water resources.
- This act will support ongoing efforts and provide much-needed funding.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Factory Worker (Columbus, Georgia)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm concerned about job security if there are restrictions due to environmental issues.
- However, protection projects might prevent operational disruptions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 4 |
Retired (Eufaula, Alabama)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Improvements to the river will help maintain the beauty and wildlife that makes our home special.
- I appreciate that there might be less erosion and more wildlife. I hope this means cleaner, safer water for my grandchildren.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Fisherman (Apalachicola, Florida)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My main focus is on how this will improve water quality.
- I've been waiting for something like this for years; it's crucial for my livelihood.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 3 |
College Professor (Downstream, Florida)
Age: 50 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act underscores the importance of taking scientific approaches to environmental management.
- I'm optimistic about the collaborative possibilities across states.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Civil Engineer (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 28 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Preserving the Chattahoochee is vital for our urban infrastructure.
- This policy could mean more projects for us and a healthier river.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Local Politician (Rural Alabama)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act fits well with our regional plans and needs.
- I'm hopeful it will tackle some standing environmental concerns, aligning with our local goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Ecology Graduate Student (Tallahassee, Florida)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having first-hand involvement in such projects will enrich my education and career.
- It's encouraging to see real action accompany academic theories.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Farmer (Dougherty County, Georgia)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Stable river flow is crucial for my crops.
- This initiative might ensure better water management, which could improve my harvests.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Real Estate Agent (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 32 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Homeowners in my area want to see more efforts to stabilize the river banks.
- Long-term, this could boost property values and make our community more appealing.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 3 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 2: $12000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $15000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $12000000, High: $18000000)
Year 5: $17000000 (Low: $14000000, High: $21000000)
Year 10: $20000000 (Low: $16000000, High: $24000000)
Year 100: $25000000 (Low: $20000000, High: $30000000)
Key Considerations
- USACE coordination with multiple states and tribal entities may add complexity to the project costs and implementation timeline.
- The potential positive environmental impact and risk mitigation are crucial considerations for potential long-term savings.
- The opportunities for employment in construction, environmental management, and related fields may provide economic benefits beyond the immediate project requirements.