Senate · Passed · 2025-2026 Regular Session

SR519: SR519 South River Watershed Alliance; recognize

Last action April 2, 2025 · Senate Read and Adopted

A Georgia Senate resolution recognizes the South River Watershed Alliance for 25 years of advocacy work protecting the South River, which flows through metro Atlanta into the Ocmulgee River system.

In plain language

This is a ceremonial resolution from the Georgia Senate rather than a change to state law. It honors the South River Watershed Alliance, described as the only organization dedicated to protecting the South River, on the occasion of its 25th anniversary. The resolution recounts facts about the South River, including that it flows about 60 miles from metro Atlanta to Jackson Lake where it becomes the Ocmulgee River, and that its watershed drains roughly 544 square miles across Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, and Butts Counties. The Senate formally commends the group's mission of raising awareness, advocacy, and ecological restoration, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to send the group an official copy of the resolution.

What the bill does

Formally recognizes and commends the South River Watershed Alliance for 25 years of work protecting the South River.
States the Senate's congratulations on the group's advocacy and extends wishes for its continued growth.
Directs the Secretary of the Senate to prepare and distribute an official copy of the resolution to the organization.
Creates no new laws, funding, or regulatory requirements; it is a symbolic statement rather than binding legislation.

Who it affects

The resolution directly names the South River Watershed Alliance, a nonprofit group. It also references residents and local governments in Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Henry, Rockdale, Newton, and Butts Counties, which sit within the South River watershed described in the text.

Why it matters

Because this is a commendatory resolution, it does not change any Georgia law, create funding, or impose requirements. Its practical effect is limited to an official, public acknowledgment from the Georgia Senate of the organization's 25-year history of river advocacy work.

Key provisions

The whereas clauses describe the South River's geography, including its 60 mile path from metro Atlanta to Jackson Lake where it becomes the Ocmulgee River.
The whereas clauses state the watershed drains about 544 square miles across seven named Georgia counties.
The first resolving clause has the Senate recognize and commend the Alliance's impact and congratulate it on 25 years of advocacy.
The second resolving clause directs the Secretary of the Senate to make a copy of the resolution available to the Alliance.

From the bill

“as metro Atlanta booms with development, the South River continues to flow14 from the earth - undervalued and insufficiently protected”
Describes the Senate's characterization of the river's environmental challenges amid regional growth.

Status timeline

2025-04-02Senate Read and Adopted (Senate)
2025-03-31Senate Hopper (Senate)

Topics

water conservation
South River
environmental advocacy
metro Atlanta
legislative recognition