The current Georgia Stormwater Management Manual (Blue Book) was completed in 2001. Over the last 10+ years, new information about managing stormwater has become available as well as more clarity on the costs and benefits of better managing stormwater. Recognizing the changing landscape and the need for more innovative and flexible approaches, the time is right to revise the Blue Book to better accommodate these needs.
The Council has named Alan Neal, P.E. with Foresite Group, to serve as the Council for Quality Growth Representative to the Advisory Committee. Alan has more than 16 years of experience in Civil Engineering Design and Consulting Engineering throughout the Southeast, from small commercial sites, to large & complex mixed use developments. Alan is also experienced in Land Surveying, Real Estate Project Management, Graphic Design, IT Management, and Construction Estimating, and Value Engineering. Alan presently serves on the Forsyth County, GA Planning Commission. He is a licensed Professional Engineer, Certified Floodplain Mmanager (CFM), Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC), and Certified Professional in Stormwater Quality (CPSWQ). Alan specializes in hydrology and stormwater hydraulics.
Over the next 12 months, a team made of people representing federal, state, regional, and local governments as well as non-profits, universities, and industry groups will work as a Technical Advisory Group (TAG) to revise the Blue Book. These revisions are expected to take newer approaches to stormwater, such as green infrastructure, and blend them with current approaches to give local governments and other users a useful management tool. These revisions will also address key regulatory requirements such as MS4 Stormwater permits as well as cost, benefits, and long-term costs of stormwater practices.
The ARC selected a team being led by Council Member AECOM. Their team includes the Center for Watershed Protection, Center Forward, Mandel Designs, and Hussey, Gay, Bell, & DeYoung. They bring a wealth of experience and perspectives to the project.
We look forward to working with the other TAG members and AECOM as we continue the process of revising the Blue Book to meet the needs of the community as a whole.