Ok I've been watching this thread for a while and I feel the need to respond.  I work for the conservancy.  All I'm going to say about the headwaters is that I don't think unregulated access is acceptible.  You can argue that the water level would regulate it, but the fact is we don't have any kind of analysis.  AW dropped a lawsuit before it was completed.

As for all the attacks concerning our motives, everyone who works at the conservancy is a boater.  We are by no means anti-boater.  The fact that someone would suggest it's about money is comical.  We all love the Chattooga and we want what's best for it.  If you think working 10 hours a day and getting paid for 5 is a greedy venture, I would gladly let you take any job here and see how cushy it is.  Our operating budget is one of the lowest in the grass-roots community.

Just for a little Stekoa history, our Stekoa Creek Project manager got a really nasty fecal coliform infection when she was boating Section IV, which is why she's so passionate about the project.  So she's been monitoring the creek for the last 2 years.  You have to have credible evidence if you're going to make a case.  Getting results from bureaucratic agencies is next to impossible.  It takes persistence and perseverance.  You don't just barge into a city council meeting or call the EPD and demand change.  It doesn't work.  Try it.  Now that we've been present in city council meetings and local media, the city is finally taking action and fixing sewer leaks.  The Georgia EPD has levied several fines and mandated riparian restoration from delinquent developers.  The problems are by no means gone, but things are taking a positive turn and we're starting to see real change.  You can accuse us of not doing anything, but what is anyone else doing about Stekoa?  

Eric Orr