Georgia Joins List of States Forming Public-Private Wetlands Restoration Partnership.

ATLANTA -- CH2M Hill, Oldcastle Inc., and ENSR International Lead Corporate Efforts; Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Chosen for First Project

Future visitors to the Johnson Ferry Unit of the Chattahoochee National Recreation Area soon will see the fruits of a newly established public-private partnership known as the Georgia Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership (Georgia CWRP).

CH2M Hill, Oldcastle, Inc. and ENSR International are leading the corporate effort to establish the Georgia CWRP. The three companies are recruiting others to join forces with federal and state agencies and others committed to restoring degraded wetlands, rivers, and fish and wildlife habitat in Georgia. Other partners include Kilpatrick Stockton LLP, LandAir Survey, Ecos Environmental Design, and Colonial Pipeline Company. The Partnership's first project aims to restore wetland functions at the Johnson Ferry South Unit of the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service (NPS).

"The NPS sees collaborative efforts such as the Corporate Wetlands Restoration Partnership as a vital tool in our ongoing efforts to protect resources and provide for visitor enjoyment," said Patricia Hooks, southeast Regional Director. "We are very pleased to be the first site in the Georgia effort."

The goal of the project is the rehabilitation of the wetlands, streams, and terrestrial habitats; protect cultural resources; and enhance educational and recreational opportunities within the 47 acre site. "The Chattahoochee River wetlands restoration project, which includes an interpretive boardwalk for visitors, is the Georgia chapter's inaugural effort," said Tom Simpson, a vice president at CH2MHill and chair of the Georgia CWRP. "It will include the return of creeks to their natural configuration, restore riparian areas, enhance re-growth of native vegetation, restore wildlife function to the wetlands, and provide interpretive opportunities."

CWRP and Coastal America

A key purpose of the Georgia CWRP is to facilitate collaboration between the federal government, state agencies and private corporations. Private corporations that participate in this national program will donate funds for site-specific habitat restoration projects or they may provide matching funds to a national or regional effort to restore wetlands or other aquatic habitats. Corporations also donate the time and expertise of their managers and professionals.

"Working collaboratively has proven remarkably effective in improving and sustaining America's wetlands," said James L. Connaughton, the Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality and the Chair of the Coastal America Principals Group. "This partnership builds on the success of similar ventures in other states and underscores the importance of funding for priority habitat restoration projects."

The Georgia CWRP operates as a private sector initiative, working with the Coastal America Partnership and state agencies. An Advisory Board has been formed to oversee the Georgia CWRP; select projects to support; and dispense funds to the appropriate organization.

Coastal America is a partnership among federal, state and local governments and private alliances to address environmental problems affecting our nation's coasts, waterways and wetlands. The federal partners are: the Departments of Agriculture, Air Force, Army, Commerce, Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban Development, Interior, Navy, State, Transportation; the Environmental Protection Agency; and the Executive Office of the President.

Kick-Off Event, October 20 in Atlanta

The Georgia CWRP kick-off for its first project will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2005, 10:00 a.m. at the Lutheran Church of the Resurrection, 4814 Paper Mill Road, Marietta, GA and ground-breaking immediately following at the Johnson Ferry Unit, Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area.