An article on Builder Online that local Kensington Home Builders hate the idea of dying sod in front of new homes, but moreover fear a building moratorium in six months due to worsening drought conditions. There are “reports of builders receiving certificates of occupancy without sodding lawns,” which will increase erosion and sedimentation into waterways once rains come during the winter. With the dry conditions, dust is becoming a growing problem.

However sedimentation control has been an ongoing problem for years, where developers have destroyed creeks and streams without regard to regulations. The Brookmont development’s lack of sediment control permanently damaged a creek and a pond on the Kirk’s Family property on Bomar Road. Whereas the Tributary at New Manchester has received startling fines on cutting unauthorized roads, forcing silt into creeks.

The Associated Press reported yesterday about the state officials wanting to construct new reservoirs in a attempt to combat future droughts. However there was no mention about population increases creating more demand on water resources. State agencies have been asked to cut down on the consumption of water, and Douglas County officials have heeded that call according to the Douglas County Sentinel.

According to the article, winter is suppose to a wet season, but the affects of the drought have become too damaging which may result in a worse drought in the summer. Check out the AP article after the jump.

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By contributor writer Mike Moore

Suburban sprawl; unchecked and unprepared for growth; strained reservoirs and other precious natural resources in high demand � the list could go on for hours as to why we must plan for the exponential development that is occurring in Georgia in general and Douglas County in particular.

But I do not wish to sound the alarmist bell with this note. To the contrary, as an MBA and licensed builder, I firmly believe in policies that expand the economic base and provide opportunities to all people to maintain or increase their stations in life. What I do not agree with is the unchecked destruction of our history and the unplanned for mess that all too often characterizes growth in places that are not prepared to see it happen.

Politicians love growth � be it residential or commercial in nature. These well- intentioned folks will understandably proclaim how they have produced jobs for their constituents and increased the revenues of local government without raising taxes by expanding the economic base. Developers and business owners like growth because it creates a scarcity (or a demand) for goods and services that retail, industrial and residential construction can then fill. These are all good, worthy and necessary goals in a free market economy.

The trouble occurs when, in the hysteria to grow for all the good reasons, we downplay and/or downright ignore the negative aspects. All too often a community loses what made it a community in the first place because of unchecked and unmanaged growth. Street corners that defined a unique cross section of community (and Americana) become home to mega-chain restaurants and retailers. Trails that once were trod by early settlers and Native Americans become part of a soul-less mega-development. This is often labeled as �progress�, and those who question its merit are cast aside with dispersion when, in fact, this is the homogenizing of our culture.

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I’m not talking about Michael Moore and his infamous documentaries of controversy. No, I am talking about Michael Moore the licensed builder and award winning historical preservationist. Mike came across the Losing Georgia Project recently and felt compelled to add to its content. After a bit of discussion through some e-mails, Michael is now a contributor writer for the Project that will bring forth various articles from a builder’s perspective on growth and the conservation of history.

Michael also has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management, an MBA, and retired from the U.S. Army. Although born and raised in Michigan, Michael makes his home here in Douglasville with his wife Jenny and two boys, Sean and Brady.

Look for Mike’s article tomorrow.

Since the Douglas County Sentinel no longer allows anyone to freely view articles online, here are the snippets to some of the stories worth reading (if you are registered).

• Despite the rain from Monday and Tuesday, the water level at the Dog River Reservoir did not increase.
• The new fire station out at Mirror Lake will open on Friday.

This week the Douglas County Sentinel and its affiliate newspapers have changed the way for reading articles online. As of now, visitors to the any of the newspaper websites have to register in order to read and comment on stories. Articles that are linked from Losing Georgia or any other website now requires a login in for reading. However the RSS feed for the newspapers are still working, yet only show teasers.

When the revamped websites were launched, the only registration needed then was for the e-version (PDF) of the newspaper.

In the past two days a welcome rain has fallen, but water supplies are still low. The George H. Sparks Reservoir, which is the main water resource for the city of East Point, is thriving from the rains. Prior to the rolling storms of moisture that have come, panoramic photographs of the reservoir were captured to tell the story of the drought.

These sweeping views of the reservoir reflect how much water remains and the scenes that can be seen today. Islands of silt protrude from the water’s surface while fishermen play for a tug on the line. View the whole overflow for the reservoir in its entirety; a place that should have water flowing into Sweetwater Creek on a normal basis.

The dryness is vast and compelling, unlike anything seen in many decades. When will the drought end is an unknown answer. For every day of rain is an added day of drinking water.

The Atlanta Journal and Constitution is reporting today that recommendations from the 2003 Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District have yet to be fulfilled. The 16 county district are in various states of following the recommendations, but like most there has been little implementation of the water conservation plans.

As for Douglas County residents, the WSA is taking heed by revamping their price structure to meet the recommendations made by the pricing district. The pricing structure is described as follows: “at least three tiers of price, with the most expensive rates at least double those of the cheapest. The most expensive rates would be aimed at the highest 5 percent to 10 percent of customers, who typically use 10 percent to 20 percent of all water, according to the district.”

The next day trip to the George H. Sparks Reservoir involved a walk on the far side of the lake where there used to be suitable fishing spots. Entangled roots of pine trees that once hid beneath the waterline are fully exposed. The hunger for water was clear as the roots took on a presence of stretching out for the distant water that lay ahead.

A silt covered floating dock laid helpless to its tie down ropes as the water flowed by yards away. Trekking to the water supply was the discovery of a dry culvert. No water flow, only stagnate bodies that were home to small fishes. This particular culvert was replaced after the roadway had washed out from torrential rains of Hurricane Dennis.

Further down was another culvert spewing out the remaining water of Beaver Creek. The creek usually fills the other reservoir across from Mt. Vernon Road, however it too has run dry. It was then off to the south side of the lake.

Receding water reveals trash about on the lake bed. From pallets to rusted-out trash cans, these are normal objects found along the now-present shore. Not shortly after a turn was the overflow area where excess water from the reservoir would flow into Sweetwater Creek.

This is no longer the case. Hoping over the two-foot concrete barrier led to a discrete drop off. A canyon carved by water ominously silent. Motionless pools reflected the sky like a leaf covered mirror. The overflow remained absent in its duties. The forecast predicted rain, soon.

The presence of the historical drought has hit the state of Georgia with a devastating blow. Lakes and reservoirs are becoming barren lands, crackled skins yearning for the smallest hint of rain. Douglas County has its share of reservoirs, most notably the Dog River Reservoir, but another has yet to see much press.

Tucked away in the Sweetwater Creek State Conservation Park is the George H. Sparks Reservoir. A familiar sight to those that drive down Mt. Vernon Road that serves as a dam. The Sparks Reservoir serves the residents East Point, a city near the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.

Originally known as the Beaver Dam Reservoir, Douglas County sold an extensive amount of land belonging to the McCrary family in 1960 to the City of East Point in order for them to build a reservoir. Later the reservoir would be renamed after George H. Sparks, the Public Utilities Director of East Point.

On average water would cover over 215 acres in the state park. Today it is possible to hike the whole perimeter of the lake with ease, a feat not possible on a normal basis. Floating docks sit restlessly and boats are off limits. The reservoir serves as the major water source for the city of East Point.

These photographs were taken two days before the rains came on Friday.