hcp components

The Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan was submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) for review on Dec. 21, 2006.  The FWS state and regional offices returned comments on the HCP in February, 2007.  The comments have been addressed, and significant changes were reviewed by HCP Steering Committee members representing participating local governments.  The revised HCP was resubmitted to FWS on May 10, 2007.

Participating local governments have each passed a resolution to officially authorize the submission of the document on their behalf. Other local governments can opt into the HCP at a later date if they desire, though they may have to go through a separate notice and comment period which may extend the amount of time it will take for them to receive their incidental take permits. (View a list of local governments that have passed the resolution).

Note that adoption of HCP policies is not necessary until after the FWS completes its review of the HCP, at which point the Etowah Aquatic HCP Steering Committee and the FWS must agree on the final version of the document.

hcp documents
The "Complete Draft Etowah Aquatic Conservation Plan" which includes Appendices A-H is a very large file. Therefore, it is also available for downloading in separate sections.

Complete Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan, Dec. 14, 2007 (includes all appendices) (large file, 10.24 MB)

Draft Etowah Aquatic HCP in sections

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan, Dec. 14, 2007 (Plan only) (large file, 5.94 MB)

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix A - Technical Committee Report: Stormwater Management Policy including the Runoff Limits Program (updated 8/21/07)

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix B - Technical Committee Report: Stream Crossing and Culvert Design Policy (large file, 1.28 MB)

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix C - Technical Committee Report: Protocol for Evaluating Water-Supply Reservoir Options for Effects on Imperiled Stream Fishes (updated 8/21/07)

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix D - Technical Committee Report: Conservation Subdivision Ordinance

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix E - Technical Committee Report: Stream Buffer Ordinances

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix F - Technical Committee Report: Utility Stream Crossings Policy (updated 8/21/07; large file, 1.03 MB)

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix G - Technical Committee Report: Standard Operating Procedure for Erosion and Sedimentation Control
and Grading Ordinance

Draft Etowah Aquatic Habitat Conservation Plan Appendix H - Intergovernmental Agreement

the following local governments have approved the HCP resolution:

City of Acworth, April 19, 2007

City of Dawsonville, April 2007

City of Woodstock, April 9, 2007

City of Waleska, unanimous, Feb. 19, 2007

City of Ball Ground, unanimous, Dec. 2006

City of Roswell, unanimous, Nov. 6 2006

City of Dallas, unanimous, Nov. 6 2006

City of Canton, unanimous, Nov. 2 2006

City of Holly Springs, Oct. 16 2006

Pickens County, Oct. 5 2006

Cherokee County, unanimous, Oct. 3 2006

Paulding County, Sept. 28 2006

Bartow County, Sept. 20 2006
(read the article in the Daily Tribune)

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