The division is also accepting written public comments on the proposal, which are due by close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026.
IssueFranklin Countyunder consideration
EPD proposes updates to erosion and sedimentation control rules, sets stakeholder meeting
State environmental regulators are revising buffer variance and local enforcement rules under the state's erosion control law, with a virtual meeting and public comment period ahead of any final decision.
Latest
October 15, 2026: Public comment period deadline for proposed erosion and sedimentation control rule revisions
What happens next
Public comment period closes October 23, 2026, following the October 15 stakeholder meeting.
At a glance
What this means now
The story
The Georgia Environmental Protection Division's Watershed Protection Branch has drafted proposed updates to Chapter 391-3-7, the state's Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control, to incorporate changes required by SB 447 to the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975. The proposal touches definitions, buffer variance procedures, local issuing authorities, and coastal marshlands buffer variance procedures.
EPD scheduled a virtual stakeholder meeting to discuss the proposed changes for Thursday, October 15, 2026, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The division is also accepting written public comments on the proposal, which are due by close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026.
Scheduled
What is on the calendar
Dated steps the official record has already set. They move into the timeline below once they happen.
Appeared on agendaproposedProposed updates to Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Chapter 391-3-7 (definitions, buffer variance procedures, local issuing authorities, coastal marshlands buffer variance procedures)
EPD has prepared draft proposed rule updates to incorporate changes related to SB 447 to the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (GESA) of 1975
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Proposed updates to Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Chapter 391-3-7 (definitions, buffer variance procedures, local issuing authorities, coastal marshlands buffer variance procedures)
EPD has prepared draft proposed rule updates to incorporate changes related to SB 447 to the Georgia Erosion and Sedimentation Act (GESA) of 1975
Appeared on agendaproposedVirtual stakeholder meeting on proposed erosion and sedimentation control rule revisions
will hold a virtual stakeholder meeting to discuss proposed updates to the Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Chapter 391-3-7 on Thursday, October 15, 2026 beginning at 1:00 p.m.
+
Virtual stakeholder meeting on proposed erosion and sedimentation control rule revisions
will hold a virtual stakeholder meeting to discuss proposed updates to the Rules for Erosion and Sedimentation Control, Chapter 391-3-7 on Thursday, October 15, 2026 beginning at 1:00 p.m.
Appeared on agendaproposedPublic comment period deadline for proposed erosion and sedimentation control rule revisions
Written comments are also welcomed and should be received by close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026
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Public comment period deadline for proposed erosion and sedimentation control rule revisions
Written comments are also welcomed and should be received by close of business on Friday, October 23, 2026
What happened
How this issue got here
Open any step for its supporting record. A proposal remains labeled as proposed until later evidence establishes an outcome.
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