By DENNIS E. CHASE
Environmental Columnist

Once again, I find it appropriate to discuss environmental laws, as they relate to the Fayette County Board of Education (BOE). My recent opinions on the McIntosh High School practice fields drew quite a bit of criticism from some members of the BOE. I thought, given time, they would install adequate sediment and erosion control measures. Unfortunately, that has not been the case.

Sad to say, they have taken only minor steps and the next big rain will prove just how expensive their non-action will be for the citizens of this county. Virtually everyone with a level of expertise in controlling sediment has said the area is going to be subject to heavy erosion. Only the political types have decided the area looks OK now. Surprise, surprise!

A significant problem with Georgia's erosion control laws is how to effectively enforce them. Here in Fayette County, as in most surrounding counties, local governments have the authority and responsibility to manage this set of laws. But how, then, does one governmental body take action against another where violations occur?

In this case, having Peachtree City take legal action against BOE actions is not a happy thought. The BOE has a long history of taking advantage of this reluctance to invoke enforcement authority, and in case after case, the results have been truly unfortunate. Cutting corners when it comes to erosion control, tree protection and staying out of wetlands has become a standard operating procedure for them. It might save some dollars initially, but fixing the washouts, damaged streams and wetlands can be expensive. So what have they really saved, and more importantly, what have we lost?

I asked for, and reviewed, the McIntosh files from BOE and Peachtree City and found that there were 11 instances between April and August of this year where they were cautioned, warned, threatened and cited for the need for proper sediment and erosion control. And that does not include similar cautions in meetings, telephone calls and here in this newspaper. And they still don't have it right. What does that tell you about their willingness to “do the right thing”?

Some of you may believe that this has nothing to do with you, but it is our environment that is being messed up, and in this case it is contributing to siltation of Lake Peachtree (your drinking water source), costing you more of your tax dollars. It is probably appropriate for us to ask the BOE to budget another $200,000 to pay for their portion of the next dredging of Lake Peachtree. That is a conservative 20 percent of what Fayette County could expect to spend when their sediment trap is full again and the water users (taxpayers) will have the cost included in their water bills.

My opinion on this is not one I take lightly or for any personal reason, but what other conclusion is there when it takes such extreme measures by Peachtree City and others to bring the BOE's attention to this issue?

I believe my tax dollars should be spent for needed and appropriate projects, but I find it insulting for the BOE to ask for me to vote next Tuesday to provide them more money when they can't seem to spend the limited money available without violating state laws. You may believe that it is necessary to provide the additional money in spite of these problems on the assumption that they will do better. I simply don't believe that will be the case, as the history of BOE says differently, and the new board doesn't appear to be doing any better.

The worst message of all here is that this whole approach by BOE sends a message to every person, including every school student in Fayette County, that any means justifies the end. In my opinion, it just doesn't have to be this way.

Dennis Chase, now retired, was a fish and wildlife biologist with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 26 years. Since retiring, he has worked as a consultant for Fayette County on environmental concerns, is a volunteer with the Southern Conservation Trust Inc., and has published numerous newspaper columns.

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