Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division is proposing water quality standards become “less stringent” at Lake Lanier, a move that doesn’t worry area lake watchdog Wilton Rooks. “As the lake has matured over the years and land uses have changed, you need a different yardstick to say what reflects a reasonable standard today,” said Rooks, a vice president with the Gainesville-based Lake Lanier Association. The EPD, which falls under the state Department of Natural Resources, is looking to increase the amount of chlorophyll-a allowed in samples to 6 parts per billion from 5 parts per billion at its Flowery Branch testing site and 7 parts per billion from 5 parts per billion at its Browns Bridge Road site.
EPD eyes loosening water quality standard on Lanier
Original standards cannot be met, official says