River Basin Surveys and Investigations

The vision of the USDA National River Basin Program is to provide our customers quality and useable assistance in solving water and related land resource problems in a timely and efficient manner utilizing the total resource planning process to set priorities and direction that will create a nation in harmony with the environment and economy.  The River Basin Program is authorized by the Watershed Protection and Flood Prevention Act (PL 83-566) and gives NRCS the authority in cooperation with other Federal, State, and local agencies to make investigations and surveys of the watersheds of rivers and other waterways as a basis for the development of coordinated programs.

River Basin Management Planning is the framework used by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to implement water protection programs across the state. Georgia ’s Mission Statement for river basin management planning is “to develop and implement a river basin planning program to protect, enhance, and restore the waters of the state of Georgia that will provide for effective monitoring, allocation, use, regulation, and management of water resources.” Associated with this mission are a variety of goals which emphasize coordinated planning necessary to meet all applicable local, state, and federal laws, rules, and regulations, and provide for water quality, habitat, and recreation.

The NRCS Water Resources Team assists in the planning process and in the preparation of reports and other documents related to this program.  This process includes programs addressing both water quantity and water quality issues and places the entire process on a five year cycle.