Carol Couch resigns as head of state EPD
We’re picking up word that Carol Couch, director of the state Environmental Protection Division, has handed in her resignation. Here’s the e-mail that’s going around:
I can say without hesitation that I work with the finest public servants in Georgia government and it is a privilege and honor to do so. However, after six years it is time that I undertake new personal objectives and provide the opportunity for fresh leadership and energy in the position of EPD Director. I am this afternoon announcing my resignation as Director effective on October 26. Governor Perdue and the DNR Board will soon announce the new Director.
I want to thank each and everyone of you for the outstanding work you have accomplished in the stewardship of Georgia’s natural resources. This past couple of years have been particularly challenging as we have experienced both record drought, floods and budgetary pressures while making significant improvements in service delivery. The record of your stewardship is reported in EPD’s “The State of Georgia’s Environment.”
After some time off, in December I will join the faculty of the College of Environment and Design at UGA. (Apologies to my fellow Yellow Jackets!)
Gov. Sonny Perdue is expected to recommend her replacement on Tuesday, to be approved by the state Department of Natural Resources board next week.
The governor confirmed receipt of Couch’s resignation at 3:30 p.m. this afternoon, with this formal statement:
“Dr. Couch has been an invaluable member of this administration for more than six years. Serving as the first female director of the EPD, she has passionately defended our natural resources, worked closely with the business community to implement sustainable environmental policies and led our technical team in water negotiations with our neighboring states.
She also led the enormous task of drafting a proposal to create Georgia’s first Statewide Water Management Plan, helping it receive passage from the General Assembly…
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15 comments Add your comment
findog
October 19th, 2009
3:47 pm
no development means nothing to manage
Daedalus
October 19th, 2009
4:30 pm
EPD has been a nothing-burger under Perdue. Carol’s a good person but she was never a good fit for the good old boys on the DNR Board.
As for that Statewide Water Management Plan, I’m not sure I’d include that on my resume if I were her.
GA Worker
October 19th, 2009
4:37 pm
After working with Dr. Couch a few times, I must say I really enjoyed her and she was always very helpful. I hope she finds continued happiness at UGA.
Athens Water person
October 19th, 2009
4:49 pm
Dr. Couch has certainly proven herself as Director of EPD. When I moved here five years ago I didn’t know what to expect from EPD. Working with them on a regular basis I find they are quite professional and helpful in many instances. Certainly there are those times when I shake my head in disbelief regarding one of their decisions. However, I have to say she is a very capable leader; it is unfortunate she was caught up into the political arena so often.
UGA is quite fortunate to have her on their staff.
LBM
October 19th, 2009
4:52 pm
I suspect Dr. Couch could not work with the new moron in charge at DNR. He is an egotistical control freak who has his own career in mind – not the best interest of Georgia.
Chuck Carswell
October 19th, 2009
5:03 pm
Is this a lead from Twitter? I read about this Monday morning on Twitter.
NegNews
October 19th, 2009
5:15 pm
Georgia has a Evironmental Protection Division? Could of fooled me.
F-105 Thunderchief
October 19th, 2009
5:28 pm
You’re picking up word? Geez, what great investigative reporting. Perdue’s press office confirmed it long before your “breaking news.” Go back to sleep now.
Diehard
October 19th, 2009
8:19 pm
Seems to me this would be a great career move for Eric Johnson. He doesn’t have a job right now, right?
joey
October 19th, 2009
10:32 pm
Couch announces resignation and a new publicly funded job in the midst of the Tri State water suit appeal. Is this a reward for her leadership of EPD in the suit which GA lost? She predicted a win a few weeks before the judge’s ruling. I suspect she’s a better scientist than she was an advocate and strategist.
Slugworth
October 20th, 2009
9:29 am
Couch was the best thing Georgia had going, balancing the interests of a whacked out environmental lobby and the well-heeled developers that run the Capitol/Governor’s mansion. Good for her and we wish her luck. She was never given the funding or support she needed and now that she’s gone, get ready for more lawsuits on Georgia’s failure to abide by federal environmental mandates. She’ll be missed.
Base
October 20th, 2009
1:17 pm
Sounds like Carol got fed up the Sonny meddling and moved on.Thanks Sonny.
James Lee Adams
October 21st, 2009
8:14 am
Worked with her and she is a dedicated, very competent public servant. She will be missed as we navigate thru the water wars. Apology accepted
Flo
October 22nd, 2009
9:02 am
Enter your comments here
Carol had the unenviable task of working under Governor Perdue’s misunderstanding that all the water that originates in Georgia belongs to Georgia. She knew better, but her hands were tied. With the Supreme Court now telling the Governor the truth — that Alabama and Florida have an equal claim — perhaps Carol’s successor will have better luck in solving the problem.
Taliaferro County Victorious « The Way It Was Blog
August 22nd, 2010
5:08 pm
[...] next key player in the process was Dr. Carol Couch, Director of the State Environmental Protection Division. She and her staff rejected the [...]