ARK News Summer 08

16 Pages·2008·1.37 MB·English

by  Leroy Reagin

Summer 2008 Newsletter
Altamaha
Stand Up and Renew Your Support
for Watershed Protection
The drought and Georgia’s exploding population are threatening our water supply. In
2007, thousands of fish and mussels died as Georgia streams and reservoirs dried up. Add
to that, the draining and filling of thousands of acres of wetlands, marshes, and swamps
for development and water protection becomes more important than ever.
The issues are not just the droughts themselves but problems created during the
drought such as cities taking out more water or putting in more wastewater, the cause
attributed to last August’s fish kill on the North Oconee River.
Sadly, our state and federal agencies are not keeping up with doing the job of
protecting our natural resources. The Altamaha Riverkeeper is responding to and
CONTINUED ON PG. 4
Students Work to Protect Marsh
Agroup of Vicki Klan’s 9th grade students from
Risley Memorial Center and Glynn Academy in Brunswick
were inspired when James Holland spoke to their class.
They created the Salt Marsh Soldiers, adopted a spot on
Academy Creek, and have been cleaning the highly littered
area almost quarterly for 2 years.
To make people aware of the problem the Salt Marsh
Soldiers are taking beer bottles, the most common type of
trash found in the area, and building a wall depicting plants
and animals in the salt marsh ecosystem. Since glass is not
Salt Marsh Soldiers begin the Glass Wall Project at Mary recycled in Brunswick, the students are demonstrating how
Ross Waterfront Park. L-R: Victoria Edwards, Justin Walker, to create beautiful things out of trash. The Soldiers will
Temekia Williams, Shaneice Armstrong, Patrick Mack, Tyree also include a plaque as a tribute to local environmentalists
Sams, Eric Hughes, David Smiley, and local environmental- and James Holland’s name will be the first on the list.
ist / glass wall engineer Chris Daughtry
ARK News
Welcome Aboard: continuing their service on the board.
• Carl Poppell, Tracey Adams, and Walter Ogden for
• 2008 officers: Len Hauss, President; Bruce
their past service on the board.
Berryhill, Vice President; Wright Gres, Treasurer; and Neill
• Former ARK staff members Debbi Davis, Mathew
Herring, Secretary.
Teti and Billie Jo Hagan.
• New board members: Becky Wood, Walt Wood, and
Wendy Galan is the new Altamaha Coastkeeper. Wendy
Whit Wright.
was raised fishing, shrimping, and crabbing in the rivers and
• New staff members: Coastkeeper Wendy Galan and
creeks that separate St. Simons and Sea Island with her
Operations Manager Bryce Baumgartner.
father, Captain Frank Mead, a charter boat guide for over 30
Thanks to:
years. Before Joining ARK, Wendy, a graduate of
• Past President Mary Ellen Wilson (2003-2007). Armstrong State University, worked at Sea Island as the
• Past President and founding member Robert DeWitt assistant to the Executive Chef where she learned how to
(2000-2003). Robert was presented the Carolyn Hodges juggle many changing priorities and manage culinary chaos.
award at the 2007 Annual Meeting. Wendy says that as the Altamaha Coastkeeper, she feels like
• Neill Herring, board member honored with the she has the job that she has trained for all of her life.
Ogden Doremus award. Mary Ellen, Robert, and Neill are Bryce Baumgartner is ARK’s new operations manager.
After 20 years as an electrical engineer and
manager in telecommunications, Bryce was ready
to move away from the hustle and bustle of South
Florida. Attracted by the country living and
friendly lifestyle, he and his wife Melissa Pope
Scott, an artist, moved to McIntosh County where
they enjoy the area’s wildlife, fishing, and
kayaking with their three grown sons who visit
often. Bryce says the job at the Altamaha
Riverkeeper gives him a chance to make a
meaningful contribution and to give something
back.
ARK board and staff development retreat with Waterkeeper Alliance
(WKA) at Little Ocmulgee State Park in McCrae, January 2008. L-R:
Support ARK’s work...
Emily Egginton WKA, Kristine Stratton WKA, Bryce Baumgartner,
Bruce Berryhill, Deborah Sheppard, James Holland, Becky Wood, Walt become a member today!
Wood, Neill Herring, Mary Ellen Wilson, Wright Gres, Len Hauss,
Wendy Galan, Mark Yaggi WKA, Constance Riggins
Altamaha 2
Get
Active
at Your Local Level
by Walt and Becky Wood your elected officials. You will gain nothing but grief by
Here’s How & Why doing so. If they do something you like, praise them
publicly; or if someone else attacks them, try to defend them
Participating in local land use planning is the first step to
— you will reap huge rewards by doing this.
protecting water quality. Your local zoning board makes
• If there is something you really want done, put it in
critical decisions about a development’s size, density, roads,
a properly written, grammatically correct format. If it
water, and sewer systems. Local meetings provide numerous
requires signatures, present a smooth document ready for
opportunities for involvement in economic development and
their signatures along with a cover letter explaining why you
land use decisions by your local city council, county
want what you are requesting, especially in the case of
commission, development authority, and planning and
resolutions. Be absolutley certain that you spell each name
zoning board.
correctly! Present a copy for each individual whose signature
Most meetings are required to be open to the public,
you are requesting. Also, attach a CD or disk and present this
advertised, publicly posted, and provide agendas and
to the Mayor or Chairperson. If they want to make changes
meeting minutes. ARK encourages you get involved, unite
they can easily load the document into their computer and do
with your neighbors, and join a growing number of
so — this will pay dividends! In a few days after you have
watershed citizens who are working to protect water quality
delivered the documents, contact the Mayor or Chairperson
at the local level. Start today by finding meeting
and ask if they have questions and if they will present it, or
announcements in your local newspaper and attending
let you present it to the Commission or the Council or
meetings. Helpful tips for getting involved:
Board. Follow your request until you get disposition on it.
• Don’t try “one up-man-ship” — YOU will lose; be
• Arrive at meetings early — what you can learn from
congenial, not adversarial.
casual conversation or what you overhear can be valuable.
• Make yourself known to officials and establish
Also, do not disrupt the meeting by coming in late.
credibility and name recognition. Speak in facts, not
• Get to know secretaries and office personnel and
emotions. Do your research and know of what you speak,
make sure they know you by sight, name, and reputation. If
then speak concisely and avoid repetition.
they don’t want you to see or speak to whomever you ask for,
• Attend meetings of your county commission, city
you aren’t going to see or speak to them except by chance.
council, school board — become aware of what is going on
• Dress appropriately for meetings. You won’t get a
BEFORE it is in your backyard. If you don’t, it soon WILL
second chance to make a first impression!
BE in your backyard. Request copies of meeting agendas
• Be absolutely certain that you turn off your cell
several days in advance. Some local governments require
phone or pager when you go into a meeting.
you to sign up and state the subject of your remarks several
• Don’t be afraid to take them some homemade
days in advance if you wish to address your elected officials
cookies, candy, or other goodies at Christmas or other
in open meetings. Some have a “Public Comments” section
special occasions. Tell them that you appreciate their efforts.
in the agenda. Call your county or city offices to find out
• Volunteer to help with special projects and to serve
how this is done. You should expect questions and if you
on Boards and Committees. Let them know you are willing
don’t know the answer, then so state and offer to get back to
to get involved.
the individual asking the question. Do not try to bluff your
• Remember there is strength in numbers so get as
way through the question because the individual who asked
many people to these meetings as you can. Get your friends
probably already knows the answer — if you tell them you
and neighbors to contact the officials and lobby for the
will get back to them, then do not fail to do that!
common interest.
• Read the legal ads, public notices, and public
hearing announcements in your local newspaper – legal
requirements are specific for how far in advance and how
many times these notices have to be published.
• Submit your own agenda items for meetings, but
don’t try to surprise your officials — provide them with a
smooth outline of your agenda. You can also request one-on-
one meetings with officials.
• Get to know your local media personnel who cover
these meetings — ask to contribute to their coverage.
• Write “Letters to the Editor” to your local
newspaper, but DO NOTpublicly admonish or embarrass
3 Altamaha
Stand up...
CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
reporting more problems throughout the watershed than ever
before. We are using our investigations to encourage
citizens to insist that our government officials enforce
environmental regulations.
In light of the growing need we are especially pleased
to announce a new challenge from the Malcolm Fraser
Foundation to match dollarfordollarall contributions
made before June 15, 2008. Please take advantage of this
generous offer and renew your commitment to support
ARK’s work by increasing your tax-deductible donations
through a monthly pledge, gift of stock, or donation on line.
Encourage your friends, co-workers, and family to support • ARK and Darien Neighborhood Association
ARK now and double the value of their donations. Your identified problems that led to Darien’s development of
support makes hundreds of accomplishments possible. improved ordinances and zoning procedures
• After ARK’s air survey and report, Hartley Station • Army Corp of Engineers acknowledged errors in
development in Macon was ordered to halt work that was wetland delineation at Cottage Grove subdivision in Glynn
contaminating a wetland with widespread erosion County after ARK’s research and reporting showed
• McIntosh County Commissioners committed to inconsistencies in delineation
develop a wetlands protection ordinance after local action • Wildlife in the Altamaha photography show was
from concerned ARK members presented by James Holland at Middle Georgia College
• ARK’s appeal of a post disturbance buffer variance • James Holland was
for Aiken Island in Brunswick led to judge’s ruling against named as one of Georgia’s
granting buffer variances after an area is already disturbed “Most Influential in 2008” by
• After ARK reports, owners of Chakmak subdivision Georgia TrendMagazine
in Pine Harbor, McIntosh County were ordered by EPD to • Citizens concerned
clean up a dump on Sapelo River filled with old cars, over development of Julienton
modular homes, roofing, generators, appliances, and tires Plantation and Young Man’s
• Andrews Island site next to Hwy 17 near Jekyll’s Road united for better planning
Sidney Lanier Bridge was required to restore salt marsh after and wetland protection in
ARK documentation of marsh destruction McIntosh County.
Houston County Board Members Get Involved
ARK and seek assistance when needed.
The Wood’s were asked to assist in a county Storm
Water Stakeholders’Committee made up of the building and
development industries, local businesses, and concerned
citizens. The group painted storm water drains with
environmental logos to remind residents not to dump waste
oil and other pollutants into the drains. Becky and Walt also
designed a brochure for auto parts stores and quick lube
locations urging citizens to recycle oil and other automotive
waste products rather than dumping the pollutants into storm
water drains or garbage cans for transport to the landfill.
Walt and Becky met Altamaha Riverkeeper James
Holland several years ago when he was in Houston County
After moving back home to Houston County, Becky and
investigating a complaint. James has been instrumental in
Walton Wood have become active in political and
encouraging their interests in environmental issues and
environmental issues that affect the middle Georgia area.
provided on the job training so they can engage in watershed
They attend all County Commission and most of the Perry
protection.
City Council meetings and spearheaded the drive to adopt
the “Water Resolution.” They communicate local issues to
Altamaha 4
A Glimpse into the Past
If walls could talk, the ARK’s new office in Darien
would tell a story. It occupies part of what was known by
many as the Hardware Store, built in 1890 by Theodore
Gronwald. According to the Darien Timber Gazette,
“Theodore Gromwald, a native of Holland moved to Darien,
immediately made his home here, and proceeded to become
thoroughly interested in the welfare of the town. Energizing
in business, he erected a large brick building to
accommodate his increasing customers.”
Over the years, Gromwald’s building was owned by A.
Johnny and Sheila Parker working on renovation at 105
Konetzko, George Noble Jones, Robert Strain, and Sally and
West Broad Street
William Wylly, among others. In 1915, George Patelidas
bought the building and later passed it onto his son Stelio There was quite a fur trade in Darien during the 1930’s
Patelidas. In 1985, Patelidas sold the lot consisting of the and ARK’s meeting room now occupies the original fur-
Darien Hotel, Patelidis Hardware, and Rogers Drugstore to drying room. Reflecting the building’s origins, the original
Linda Miller and Sheila Parker for an antique store. Since beaver boards used to stretch the hides of beaver, mink, and
then, the hardware store has housed several businesses fox are mounted on the office walls. Other period artifacts
including the Tea Cup Inn Tearoom, This Old House on display reflect Darien’s timber industry, including an
Antiques, and Shaw’s Antiques. early 1900’s chipping tool used to cut into pines for draining
In 2007, Sheila and Johnny Parker restored the spacious sap for turpentine and a log ruler used to measure timber
1,830 square foot historic building retaining many original before shipping. Areconstructed upstairs balcony in the back
elements including the windows, yellow pine floors, and red of the building overlooks what was once the Darien Hotel
brick walls. The stairs to the second-story are constructed courtyard.
from the pine tongue and groove boards, which once graced Deborah Sheppard, ARK’s Director, says, “We are
the walls of Purvis Elementary School in Brunswick. The grateful to be part of the Parker’s historic preservation work
stair banister is an early twentieth century oak wagon tongue in Darien; it compliments our work to preserve our area’s
complete with a wrought iron hinge and ring. priceless natural resources.”
The Problem with Rayonier Continues...
Rayonier's wastewater flows down the Altamaha with pol- Altamaha Coastkeeper Wendy Galan holds her breath while
luting dark colored discharge on the left. On the right, the taking water samples at Rayonier. Her face shows a common
tributary from Morgan's Lake is not impacted, as indicated reaction to the smell in the area.
by the lighter colored water, until it reaches the Altamaha.
Six years after a voluntary settlement of ARK’s appeal of Rayonier’s NPDES wastewater Discharge Permit, Rayonier’s
dark colored, foul smelling discharge into the Altamaha continues to offend and frighten boaters, fishermen, and swimmers
many miles downstream of the discharge pipe near Jesup. In a Halloween 2007 trick to ARK and Georgia’s citizens, Rayonier
and the EPD negotiated a consent order to allow more time and less clean up of the discharge color than ARK agreed to in
revisiting the settlement agreement.
ARK no longer has reason to believe that Rayonier is committed to a timely clean up of its discharge. We need to hear
about your experiences and concerns with Rayonier’s discharge. Please contact the ARK office if you want to help ARK get
the Altamaha’s biggest polluter cleaned up.
5 Altamaha
Citizens Support Wetland Protection
On Valentines Day, the McIntosh County Commission County
responded to a packed room of citizens’calling for wetland assurances
protection by voting to develop and adopt a county wetland that the
protection ordinance. This move came after citizens rallied marsh and
to express their frustration and concern over the destruction wetlands are
of salt marsh and fresh water wetlands on Young Man’s protected by
Road and the rezoning to increase development density for state and
Julienton Plantation adjacent to the largest clam growing federal
operation in Georgia. agencies lack
Many McIntosh citizens no longer believe the state and credibility.
federal government are protecting our freshwater wetlands, After seeing
coastal marshlands, and water quality after seeing many our wetlands
critical areas destroyed without the proper permits or review. and marshes
While citizens watched the daily destruction of a large cleared,
site on Young Man’s Road, the McIntosh County ditched, and drained to allow for more development with
Commission marginalized their concerns and rezoned the greater densities, residents want change. ARK applauds
nearby Julienton Plantation property from Conservation local citizens and the County Commission for their effort to
Preservation (CP) allowing 1 house on 3 acres to Residential develop a model wetland protection ordinance to protect our
(R1) allowing from 1 to 3 houses per acre depending on the remaining wetland resources.
availability of community water and/or sewer.
Judge’s Ruling Protects State Waters
“The jurisdiction line (where the marsh meets the upland) led to
Environmental the developer bulldozing marsh and dumping 126 truckloads
Protection of dirt into the marsh.
Division The suit could have been avoided. The EPD and CRD
(EPD) failed are responsible for protecting salt marshes but it took the
to protect state judge’s ruling to enforce the law.
waters by
improperly Science Fair Awards
granting a
buffer Coastkeeper Wendy Galan presents ARK awards to
variance to a two eighth graders at the 2008 Georgia Regional Science
Cabretta and Blackbeard Island Brunswick and Engineering Fair sponsored by Coastal Georgia
developer.” That Community College in Brunswick.
was the June 2007 decision of Judge John B. Gatto, a state
administrative law judge in a suit won by the Altamaha
Resse Parshley from Need-
Riverkeeper (ARK) and Satilla Riverkeeper. The court
wood Middle School, 1st
concluded the developer, Robert M. Torras, Sr. repeatedly
Place winner for his project:
disturbed the buffer and failed to stabilize the site. The two-
Canals and floodgates in the
acre site in Brunswick is being developed into the “Brunswick
fresh water and salt water-
Landing Marina.”
mixing zone.
The judge ruled “the developer failed to provide the
EPD director with evidence that impacts to the buffer had
been avoided or minimized.” Therefore, the Court concluded
that EPD Director Carol Couch improperly granted a
Camille Hattaway from St
variance application.
Francis Xavier School, 2nd
In the course of ARK’s three-year investigation
Place winner for her project:
beginning in 2004, ARK filed numerous complaints with the
Fertilizer. Photos by Glynn
Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Department of
Environmental Coalition.
Natural Resources and EPD officials. According to ARK,
CRD’s failure to establish the correct location of the marsh
Altamaha 6
Altamaha Riverkeeper, One of
1 0 0 M O S T I N F L U E N T I A L G E O R G I A N S
Georgia Trend magazine has sifted through a lengthy list
of people throughout the state who seem to carry a lot of
weight. In the January edition of the magazine covering
business, politics, and economic development, the staff
released the names of the ‘100 Most Influential Georgians.’
"You will recognize most of the names on this year’s
roster; the usual suspects; the CEOs, statesmen, college
presidents, and the like. There are some you’ve probably
never heard of; people who cast their influence from behind
the scenes. Altamaha Riverkeeper James Holland is one of
these people," says Georgia Trend.
Holland wasn’t always an environmental activist. As a
boy in Cochran, he loved hunting, fishing, and almost any
activity that involved the natural world. At 17, he became a
Marine. Then he moved to Brunswick and decided his life’s
work would be on the water as a crabber. For years, his crab
and environmental well-being are one and the same. I
pots were always brimming with 1,500 pounds of crabs a
encourage everyone to report pollution and demand action
day. Ultimately development upstream warmed and polluted
from regulatory agencies and elected representatives. "
the water to the point that the crabs began to disappear and
his catch dwindled to less than 200 pounds a day. That’s
when he became one of the founding members of ARK.
When you look at the photographs of the most
influential people in Georgia, Holland is the only one in the
entire magazine who is not smiling. He says he has no
reason to smile, because neither the Environmental
Protection Division nor the Army Corps of Engineers are
doing their job to protect our environment.
"We are in the middle of a state water crisis and yet our
wetlands, swamps, and marshes are being destroyed daily by
development. Natural wetland systems are natures' way of
storing and gradually releasing water when it is needed, " he
said. "The agencies must do a better job of enforcing
regulations to protect our natural resources. Our economic
Proposed Coal Plant on the Oconee River
Plant Washington, a coal-fired power plant is proposed dioxide for generations to come.
near Sandersville in Washington County in rural east-central Georgia already has 10 coal-fired power plants, one of
Georgia. According to the plant’s website, the company which, Plant Scherer just to the north of Macon, is often
estimates beginning the operation in 2013 to provide base cited as one of the most polluting coal-fired plant in the
load electricity to nearly 700,000 Electric Management nation. The cycle of building power plants to serve over-
Corporation (EMC) members. projected needs and then promoting consumption to pay for
The Washington County plant would negatively impact expensive polluting power plants needs to end now. ARK
Georgia’s water and air quality according to the Southern urges you to get directly involved in reducing the negative
Alliance for Clean Energy. To obtain water for the plant, the impacts of centralized power plants on our water, air, global
EMCs are proposing to build a 30-mile pipeline to the warming, and our pocketbooks by working to reduce energy
Oconee River. In addition, they plan to dig 16 wells consumption and promoting investments in efficiency and
throughout Washington County to draw from groundwater conservation. Let’s challenge the utilities to spend the
during periods of drought. The proposed plant will also emit same amount of money to save energy that they do on
smog-forming nitrogen oxides, mercury, soot-forming sulfur generating energy. Contact ARK for ways to get involved
dioxide, and global warming pollutants such as carbon in finding better energy choices than Plant Washington.
7 Altamaha
Superfund Site Fees Donated to Environmental Groups
Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper, and Satilla
Riverkeeper.
“These funds will support the Altamaha
Riverkeeper and the Altamaha Coastkeeper’s work
to protect our coastal estuary and marsh systems,”
said Deborah Sheppard, Executive Director of the
Altamaha Riverkeeper. “We are fortunate to have
attorneys whose skill and dedication created this
legal victory which makes LCPaccountable for
their damage to the Glynn County marshes.”
In November 2006, the attorneys settled the
case against the Allied/LCPchlor alkali plant in
Brunswick, for a total of $50 million plus
additional cleanup at the site. The attorneys, Joel
Wooten (Butler, Wooten & Fryhofer) of
Columbus, Robert Killian (Killian & Boyd) of
Brunswick, John Bell (Bell & Brigham) and Pam
James (Pam James Law) of Augusta settled the
Attorneys present check to ARK. Left to right: L-R Wendy Galan,
pending cases on behalf of Glynn County and
Mathew Teti, Robert Killian, Deborah Sheppard, Joel Wooten, James
over 200 Glynn County property owners.
Holland, John Bell and Constance Riggins.
Honeywell’s records show that from 1957
In December 2007, a team of attorneys who won the until 1994, the Allied/LCPplant knowingly
largest environmental legal settlement in Georgia history discharged hundreds of thousands of pounds of mercury and
presented several local and statewide organizations with PCBs directly into the outfall that drained into Purvis Creek
checks totaling $100,000. Recipients of the funds include and the Turtle River. It is one of the most contaminated sites
the Altamaha Riverkeeper, Georgia Conservation Voters, in Georgia’s history and was designated Georgia’s first
GreenLaw, Georgia Watch, Glynn Environmental Coalition, Superfund site.
Water vs. Energy
Acorn ethanol plant within a few miles of the Altamaha for the Floridian aquifer compared to the nearby Rayonier
River is in the permitting stage before construction in Mount pulp mill, which uses 60 million gallons a day. Frechette
Pleasant, a community between Jesup and Brunswick. The said, “State law says the water use is reasonable. EPD can
East Coast Ethanol, LLC website says the company is only ask: is the water available? The answer is yes. Are there
organizing, financing, and constructing four 110 million any unreasonable impacts on the aquifer? The answer is no.”
gallon per year grain-ethanol production facilities to be He told the group the state did not regulate noise or truck
located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and traffic because those were local issues.
Florida. Many citizens attending the meeting including Ernie
The GAEnvironmental Protection Division (EPD) is Brooks were dismayed. “Why can this plant draw millions
reviewing requests from the Mt. Pleasant plant to withdraw of gallons of water a day, but I can only water my lawn on
almost 2 million gallons of water a day from the Upper Tuesdays and Thursdays?” he asked.
Floridian aquifer. The estimate for the plant’s discharge into ARK is concerned because ethanol production uses
the Altamaha River is around 250,000 gallons of water daily. massive amounts of water, industry standards indicate
In a February meeting, Bill Frechette, a hydrologist with between three and six gallons of water to produce one gallon
EPD, met with citizens from Mt. Pleasant like Kim Smith. of ethanol. According to the Institute for Agriculture and
“Most area residents totally depend on well water from the Trade Policy- “Shortage of water is the Achilles heel of corn-
aquifer. How will the plant’s water withdrawal plans affect based ethanol.”
our water supply? With the plants close proximity to our In a state where water resources are already stressed,
homes and the predicted 100 trucks a day going down our what is the effect of a water sucking industry on our water
road, we are also concerned about traffic and safety quality and supply? In the rush to cash in on ethanol, we do
problems,” Smith said. not want to give away our area’s greatest natural resource,
Frishette said the plant’s request was not a lot of water the Altamaha River.
Altamaha 8
ARK’s Nature Photos
Featured
As Altamaha Riverkeeper, James Holland
witnesses the devastating effect of pollution. His
genuine affection for the wildlife and habitat that he
works so hard to protect was evident in his March
2008 photography exhibit at Middle Georgia College.
In the opening reception and gallery talk, Holland
reflected that in coming back to his hometown of
Cochran, his life had gone full circle. He admitted that
growing up he had hunted but now his biggest
pleasure was shooting wildlife with a camera,
especially butterflies.
Holland talked about the diminishing wetland
habitat, an area that many animals depend on. He said
“I’m not against development but some areas are
better suited than others. How would you feel if one
day you came home and discovered that your home
and entire neighborhood was destroyed? “
Holland said he hoped his photography would give
people an opportunity to connect with our beautiful
wildlife so they would appreciate and protect it. Stop
by our office in Darien and see the current display.
Why Wetlands are Important
More than one-third of the United States’
threatened and endangered species live only in
wetlands, and nearly half use wetlands at some point
in their lives. Estuarine and marine fish and shellfish,
various birds, and certain mammals must have coastal
wetlands to survive. Most commercial and game fish
breed and raise their young in coastal marshes and
estuaries. Menhaden, flounder, sea trout, spot, croaker,
and striped bass are among the more familiar fish that
depend on coastal wetlands. Shrimp, oysters, clams,
and blue and Dungeness crabs likewise need these
wetlands for food, shelter, and breeding grounds.
For many animals and plants, like wood ducks,
muskrat, cattails, and swamp rose, inland wetlands are
the only places they can live. For others, such as
striped bass, peregrine falcon, otter, black bear,
raccoon, and deer, wetlands provide important food,
water, or shelter.
Many of the U.S. breeding bird populations—
including ducks, geese, woodpeckers, hawks, wading
birds, and many song-birds— feed, nest, and raise
their young in wetlands. Many species of migratory
birds are completely dependent on certain wetlands
and would become extinct if those wetlands were
destroyed.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
9 Altamaha
Homage to Water
Canopy Studio Repertory Company, an
Athens dance company known for aerial dance,
performed “Water Body” and part of the
proceeds from the performance were a benefit for
the Atlamaha Riverkeeper.
“The Water Body performance on April 18-
20 and 25-27, 2008 was about the preciousness
of water, how we can be stewards of it, how we
pollute it, and how we need to reclaim it as an
essential and spiritual element,” says Canopy
Director Susan Murphy”
The show included a video designed by
show Co-Director Michelle Dodson, a graduate
student in the UGAtheater and film department.
Dodson shot portions of the video montage in the
Altamaha River estuary on a boating trip with
L-R, Bottom row: Dana Skelton, Julie Phillips, Melissa Roberts,
Riverkeeper James Holland.
Susan Murphy, Jenna Hencinski, Carlynn Kenna. Middle row:
Ecological writer, naturalist, and former ARK
Deborah Sheppard, Constance Riggins, Megan Cattau, Chris
Board member, Janisse Ray, wrote the poem used
Knightes, Rabun Dekle, Julia Franz, Amy Powell, Allyson Mann,
for the production’s spoken word.
Michelle Dodson, James Holland. Sitting on Tetra: Lindy Pals,
The Altamaha Riverkeeper appreciates the
Lauren Puls, and Annette Byrd.
combination of talent, creativity, and generosity.
We thank Susan Murphy, Don Carson, Janisse Ray, Michelle Dodson, Dana Skelton, and all of the Canopy dancers for
the honor of ARK’s association with the beautiful performance.
Young Man’s Road
McIntosh Citizens discovered the hard way that state and federal agencies are not
keeping wetlands from being destroyed, even in high profile cases like this one on
Young Man’s Road in North McIntosh County. Stunned residents joined ARK in
repeatedly reporting suspected violations on this site to state and federal officials. We
watched in horror as this vegetated wetland and marsh front property was devastated.
The Coastal Resources Division, EPD, & the Corp of Engineers received reports
and responded to developers but said they could not stop this destruction. These
agencies have met for months with the developer to devise a plan to restore this site.
ARK supports restoration of the site and meaningful fines for the developers. We join
with citizens in
asking why
wetlands and
marshes have to be
destroyed before
any government
agency will act.
Now we have a
devastated site and
lots of agency
attention and tax
payer money being
spent on fixing
something that
should have never
been destroyed.
Altamaha 10