Bill Overview
Title: City of Atlanta Stormwater Management Act
Description: This bill increases the authorization of appropriations for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to provide environmental infrastructure assistance for a combined sewer overflow treatment facility for the city of Atlanta, Georgia.
Sponsors: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Target Audience
Population: Residents of Atlanta and surrounding areas
Estimated Size: 515000
- This bill targets improvements in the city's stormwater management system by funding a sewer overflow treatment facility.
- Atlanta's population is about 515,000 as of the latest estimates.
- Effective stormwater management affects residents by reducing flooding, water pollution, and potential health hazards associated with sewer overflows.
- Neighbors and communities downstream from Atlanta could also indirectly benefit from reduced waterway contamination.
Reasoning
- The policy would primarily impact residents of Atlanta, especially those in areas prone to sewer overflows and flooding. The overall well-being of these individuals could improve due to reduced health risks and property damage.
- The policy is likely to have a medium to high impact on residents directly affected by floodwaters and sewage issues. However, people living on the outskirts or in neighboring regions might experience low to no direct impact.
- The policy might not significantly affect those who are not currently impacted by severe stormwater management issues, thus explaining a variety of Cantril Wellbeing Scores.
- Budget constraints will target areas most in need initially, expanding services over 10 years. Therefore, initial impacts might be restricted to priority zones, while long-term impacts broaden.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Downtown Atlanta, GA)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is desperately needed. I've had to deal with basement flooding multiple times, which is both stressful and costly.
- Improving stormwater management will not only protect my home but also make the city safer for my children.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Midtown Atlanta, GA)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm not directly impacted by sewer issues living in an apartment, but improving infrastructure is always positive.
- I believe this will make the city more livable and could influence real estate positively too.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (Smyrna, GA)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've seen how stormwater issues can cause chaos in the city, affecting traffic and safety.
- This could potentially enhance my property’s value and assure safety of investment for my tenants.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Nurse (Decatur, GA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a healthcare worker, I've seen cases linked to contaminated water and believe addressing these issues is vital.
- While I am not directly affected at home, I see the broader community value.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Small Business Owner (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- My business suffers during heavy rains due to flooding. I hope this policy brings a much-needed change.
- Flooding directly impacts my earnings and could benefit from better management systems.
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 | 9 | 3 |
Civil Engineer (Alpharetta, GA)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy is a step in the right direction, aligning with sustainable urban planning.
- My professional involvement gives me confidence this will yield substantial community benefits over time.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Student (Buckhead, Atlanta, GA)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I support this policy from an environmental perspective as it matches my academic and personal interests.
- This initiative could serve as a case study for future projects.
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired (East Point, GA)
Age: 70 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been advocating for this for years. Managing stormwater efficiently is crucial to our community's sustainability.
- This is a necessary investment in our future.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Professor (Athens, GA)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- These improvements reflect progressive policies for urban communities. They provide valuable academic insights.
- While not directly affected, I see the long-term benefits for the city.”
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 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Artist (Marietta, GA)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- While I don't face flooding, I am keen on using art to highlight environmental issues, including urban water management.
- I appreciate infrastructure projects that are forward-thinking and sustainable.
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 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $200000000 (Low: $190000000, High: $210000000)
Year 2: $180000000 (Low: $170000000, High: $190000000)
Year 3: $120000000 (Low: $110000000, High: $130000000)
Year 5: $80000000 (Low: $75000000, High: $85000000)
Year 10: $30000000 (Low: $25000000, High: $35000000)
Year 100: $5000000 (Low: $4000000, High: $6000000)
Key Considerations
- Potential environmental regulations influencing project timelines and costs.
- Coordination with local utilities and government bodies in Atlanta.
- Long-term maintenance and operational efficiency of the new infrastructure.