On May 29th, 2007, in Warm Springs Georgia, RiverWay South begins a series of Public Forums throughout the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint (ACF) River Basin. Covering over 19,000 square miles, this magnificent watershed encompasses three states and includes some 65 counties... all within the ACF.

The forums are open but not limited to anyone living and/or interested in the ACF watershed. We especially encourage all stakeholders to participate... city and state government officials, educators, journalists, artists, musicians, environmentalists, historians, preservationists, economic developers, tourism agencies, writers, etc.

During these 2 hour forums we plan to:

• Discuss and determine a community's biggest challenges.
• Identify and reexamine available resources communities don't want to change or abuse.
• Find out which community dreams or goals you share with your neighbors and together, sketch a tentative plan to reach those goals.

These public forums take place in a number of separate watershed communities with 3 or more counties participating together as a group. Some include participation across state borders. If for some reason you cannot attend a meeting within your own county or region, you are welcome to attend any other forum or forums.

The forums become the vehicle to identify resources throughout the watershed with a common purpose to provide a management plan for the future RiverWay South Heritage Trail. We begin to connect the available resources on the ground and on the water.

The ultimate goal is to preserve, protect and promote activities which sustain the Apalachicola, Middle Chattahoochee, and Flint watershed along with sound economic growth for generations beyond our lifetimes.

Additionally, other RiverWay South Goals are accomplished along the way...river cruises, canoe trips, kayak tours, rafting, day trips on the river, as well as educational cruises. The river trips provide the grist for future sustainable economic growth. They are vital if we are to link the watershed communities back to the river.

RiverWay South Public Forums begin May 29th in Meriwether County at the Warm Springs Community Building on Hwy 27/41 at 2:00 EST. Call 706.884.8950 for more detailed directions. For times, places, and participating counties, see chart below.

RiverWay South is a non-profit organization whose mission is to protect, preserve, and promote the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee, and Flint River System... (The ACF). It is funded through a USDA RBOG (United States Department of Agriculture Rural Business Opportunity Grant).