The commissioner shall designate a technical panel for the review and processing of
applications for authorized encroachments. The technical panel shall be comprised
of at least three staff professionals in the department of watershed management certified
by the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 12-7-19
in the field of pollution, erosion, and sedimentation control at the plan reviewer
level (Level II). Technical panel members shall serve for a period of two years renewable
by the commissioner, and should have expertise in the following areas: stream buffer
revegetation, erosion and sedimentation control, stream and wetland restoration, mitigation
(as defined herein), and riparian habitat restoration. The technical panel shall meet
not less than once monthly, shall develop procedural rules, maintain a docket, and
make records available for review upon request.
