City of Augusta Streambank Stabilization Program - Augusta, GA

The City of Augusta’s area-wide streambank stabilization program focuses on identifying existing streambank failures, predicting future trouble spots, and designing and implementing cost-effective solutions to best serve the interests of the City and their citizenry. Pond is currently involved in the evaluation of two perennial streams which pose risks to adjacent properties and are a source of concern and complaints for community members. Pond’s scope of work includes reach evaluation and analysis, survey, concept design, public engagement, preparation of full design documents, environmental permitting, bid support, and CA services.

Pond proactively works with the City to understand the nature of complaints and concerns received from citizens and then determines the root cause to identify pathways for resolution. The streams are typically located within urban areas and transparency with affected property owners are critical for success. While Pond’s original scope of work included traditional public engagement meetings, in close coordination with the City, we are pivoting to online engagement strategies to effectively communicate with the affected public.

Through this program, Pond is also supporting stream habitat improvement projects funded through USEPA’s 319 grant program. Pond is working with the City and other stakeholders to design habitat improvements in urban-impacted streams. Pond has prepared the design plans and is providing on-going support for environmental permitting needs.

In addition to the projects listed above, Pond also provides as-needed support and consulting to the City on general environmental permitting situations. Pond is frequently relied upon to consult on the need for environmental permits associated with other projects in the City’s portfolio. For example, Pond is currently working with the City to evaluate the potential for pursuing a programmatic stream buffer variance from GAEPD which would streamline buffer variance permitting requirements for the City’s program of projects.