Georgia and other states in the South are now the Nation’s “wood basket.” More timber is harvested in this region than in any other part of the country (Adams et al. 2006). At the same time, Georgia is one of the fastest growing states; between 1990 and 2000, the state’s population increased by 26 percent, ranking it 6th nationally in terms of percentage increase in population (USDC Census Bureau 2001b). Domestic migration played a major role in this increase (Perry 2006), and this trend is expected to continue.

Four watersheds were analyzed for this case study: Oostanaula, Conasauga, Coosawattee, and Etowah. These watersheds are located north of the Atlanta metropolitan area. Interstate 75 traverses the western portion of the study area north to south.