Report Water Pollution in the Upper Etowah
If you see pollution, erosion, or damage along a stream, the right agency can act quickly. This directory lists who to call in Cherokee, Dawson, Forsyth, Lumpkin, and Pickens counties, plus statewide agencies.
Not sure which office handles it? Start with the guide below, then find your county.
Last verified: [Month Year]
What’s the problem?
| If you see… | Who to call |
|---|---|
| A spill, fish kill, or sewage overflow | 911 if anyone is in danger. Then the GA EPD 24-hour spill line, (800) 241-4113 |
| Muddy water running off a construction site or cleared land | Your county’s erosion and sedimentation contact |
| Clearing, grading, or building right beside a stream | Your county’s stream buffer contact |
| Logging near a stream | GA Forestry Commission, (770) 531-6048 |
| Trash dumping in or near a creek | Your county Marshal or code enforcement |
| Runoff from road or highway construction | GDOT Environmental Compliance, (404) 463-3042 |
| Open burning | GA EPD Open Burning, (404) 362-2671 |
After you call, please report it to UERA too. That way, we can follow up and track problems across the watershed.
Cherokee County
Cherokee County
- Erosion and sedimentation — Engineering: (678) 493-6074
- Stream buffers — Planning & Zoning: (770) 479-0504
- Tree ordinance: (770) 479-0480
- Environmental Marshal — Marshal’s Office: (770) 479-6153
- Marshal’s Office (main): (678) 493-6200
- Assistant County Engineer: (678) 493-6077
- Planning & Zoning Director: (678) 493-6101
City of Canton
- City Hall: (770) 704-1500
- Stream buffer variances — Planning & Zoning: (770) 704-1518
- Erosion and sedimentation — Planning & Zoning: (770) 704-1518
- Erosion and sedimentation — Building Department: (770) 704-1549
- Erosion and sedimentation — Development & Engineering: (770) 704-1539
- Planning & Zoning (main): (770) 704-1530
City of Woodstock
- Erosion and sedimentation — Planning & Zoning: (770) 592-6038
- Stream buffers — Planning & Zoning: (770) 592-6038
- Planning & Zoning (main): (770) 592-6000
Dawson County
Dawson County
- Erosion and sedimentation — GA EPD: (770) 387-4900
- Erosion and sedimentation — Natural Resources Conservation Service: (706) 265-2374
- Stream buffers — Planning: (706) 344-3604
- Timber harvest sites — GA Forestry Commission: (770) 531-6048
- Spills — GA EPD 24-hour spill line: (800) 241-4113
City of Dawsonville
- Building inspections — Dawson County Building Inspector: (706) 344-3604
- Sewer spills — GA EPD, 8 a.m.–5 p.m.: (706) 216-8474 (after hours, call 911)
Forsyth County
- Erosion, sedimentation, and stream buffers — Engineering: (770) 781-2165
- Environmental enforcement — Engineering / Keep Forsyth County Beautiful: (770) 781-2165
- Director of Engineering: (770) 781-2165
- Stream buffers — Planning & Development: (770) 781-2115
- Planning Director: (770) 781-2115
- Tree ordinance — Planning & Development: (770) 205-4562
- Erosion and sedimentation — Natural Resources Conservation Service: (706) 265-2374
- Spills — GA EPD 24-hour spill line: (800) 241-4113
Lumpkin County
- Erosion and sedimentation — Natural Resources Conservation Service: (706) 265-2374
- Timber harvest sites — GA Forestry Commission: (770) 531-6048
Pickens County
- Erosion and sedimentation: [number needed]
- Stream buffers — Planning: (706) 253-8850
- Spills — GA EPD 24-hour spill line: (800) 241-4113
State of Georgia
Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD)
- 24-hour spill line: (800) 241-4113
- Erosion and sedimentation: (770) 387-4900 or (404) 675-6240
- Open burning: (404) 362-2671
- Non-emergency complaints: contact your EPD district office
Georgia Soil & Water Conservation Commission
- Region 1 office, Rome: (706) 295-6131
Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT)
For runoff and erosion from road and highway construction.
- Environmental Compliance: (404) 463-3042
- Environmental Compliance (direct line): (404) 463-1050