WARNER ROBINS -- The Georgia Environmental Protection Division is no longer watching Warner Robins projects closely since the city has passed inspections for a year.

“It has been determined through these inspections that the (local issuing authority) is adequately implementing and enforcing its adopted storm water ordinance,” said a letter to the city dated Dec. 17 that spokeswoman Ruby Hamb-Holmes released Friday.

The city was placed on a provisional status, or probationary period, a year ago after the EPD found that permitting requirements for maintaining Bay Gall Creek were not followed.

The city said at the time that it was cleaning out the creek near Kimberly Road, but residents said they were digging and disrupting the natural vegetation.

The EPD and Army Corps of Engineers launched investigations based on residents’ complaints. The corps found that the city didn’t need a permit from its organization.

The EPD fined the city $50,000 and required the city to undergo inspections and for pertinent city employees to attend classes on the requirements for permitting.

“It was actually a learning experience for the city,” Mayor Chuck Shaheen said at the time. “This is going to happen in cities, because a lot of rules have changed.”

To contact writer Christina M. Wright, call 256-9685