The public is invited to a meeting regarding improving the water quality of Runs Branch and Ebenezer Creek.

The Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division are developing a new total maximum daily load implementation plan for a 17-mile segment of Runs Branch and Ebenezer Creek from Cowpen Creek to Little Ebenezer Creek near Clyo. This stream segment has been listed as not supporting the use of fishing because of high levels of fecal coliform bacteria.

The preparation and submission of a new TMDL implementation plan initiates a 10-year adaptive management process intended to attain water quality standards and meet the designated use criteria necessary to remove Runs Branch and Ebenezer Creek from the state list of impaired streams.

Staff from the CGRDC and EPD will present the results of their field surveys and draft recommendations Thursday from 6-8 p.m. at the Effingham County administration annex in Springfield. Attendees will be asked to provide their input and insight into the recommendations to improve water quality.

For more information, contact J. Paul Sansing at (912) 264-7363 ext 202 or at jsansing@coastalgeorgiardc.org.