HR11: HR11 Georgia Environmental Protection Division and DeKalb County government; resolve sewage pollution and spills; urge

This resolution addresses long-running sewage pollution and spill problems in DeKalb County, which the resolution says have disproportionately affected predominantly Black areas labeled 'nonpriority,' particularly South DeKalb. It states that North DeKalb has received more favorable treatment than South DeKalb in efforts to address these problems. The resolution does not create new law or funding. Instead, it urges the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and DeKalb County government to take immediate action to fix the sewage problems in these areas, to set a firm deadline within a consent decree for resolving them, and to give South DeKalb the same level of priority as North DeKalb. It also directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to officials at these agencies.

• Urges the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the Environmental Protection Agency, and DeKalb County to take immediate action to fix sewage pollution and spills in predominantly Black 'nonpriority' areas.
• Calls for a specific deadline to be set within a consent decree (a court-approved agreement to fix violations) for resolving the sewage problems.
• Encourages the same agencies and county government to treat South DeKalb with the same priority as North DeKalb in addressing sewage issues.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to send copies of the resolution to officials at the named agencies and county government.

Residents of DeKalb County, especially in South DeKalb and other areas described as predominantly Black 'nonpriority' zones, along with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the federal Environmental Protection Agency, and DeKalb County government officials responsible for sewage infrastructure.

The resolution does not force any legal action, but it puts formal pressure on state, federal, and county officials to set a concrete deadline for fixing sewage pollution and to treat South DeKalb equally with North DeKalb, which could influence how resources and attention are directed.

• States that sewage pollution and spills have persistently affected predominantly Black 'nonpriority' areas of DeKalb County.
• Asserts a disparity in prioritization between North DeKalb and South DeKalb.
• Urges immediate and comprehensive action from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, the EPA, and DeKalb County to eliminate sewage pollution in these areas.
• Calls for establishing a date certain within a consent decree to resolve the pollution and spills.
• Encourages equal treatment of South DeKalb and North DeKalb in resource allocation for sewage issues.
• Directs the Clerk of the House to distribute copies of the resolution to the named agencies and county government.

1. 2025-01-15House Second Readers (House)
2. 2025-01-14House First Readers (House)
3. 2025-01-13House Hopper (House)

• Viola Davis (D, HD-087)Primary sponsor

• sewage pollution
• DeKalb County
• environmental justice
• water infrastructure
• EPA