Conservancy director urges protection of Chattahoochee River, cites its role for Metro Atlanta water

Britney Jones, executive director of the Chattahoochee National Park Conservancy, told attendees at the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area that protecting the river is essential to the health and recreation of the surrounding communities.

Jones described the park as "very special to the community" and said it "welcomes over 3,000,000," a figure she did not further specify in the remarks. She noted the park hosts tubers, paddlers and anglers and cited trout and bass fishing as key recreational uses.

Why this matters: Jones said the Chattahoochee provides "70 to 80% of the drinking water for Metro Atlanta," a point she used to underline that the river’s condition affects residents beyond park visitors. She also said the river runs through four counties and nine cities up to Lake Lanier and serves roughly a 50-mile corridor used by the public.

Jones outlined the Conservancy’s role as the park’s nonprofit "friends" group, saying the organization raises funds, builds awareness and seeks to cultivate a community of people who will steward public lands. "We raise funds for the park, but we also raise awareness," she said, and added that the goal is to inspire people "to feel responsible and become a steward to our public lands."

The presentation was informational; no formal actions or votes were recorded in the transcript. Jones’s remarks focused on the river’s recreational value, regional reach and the Conservancy’s request for public stewardship and support.