Upcoming Events

Saturday,
June 24th, Green Screen, Ritz Theater, Newcastle Street, Brunswick.
You don't want to miss this FREE
community event with both short and feature films, environmental education
booths, food, and networking opportunities. Admission and schedule of events can be found at www.GreenSceneGA.org
(suggested $5 donation at the door).

Saturday,
June 24, 10:00 to 4:00, Rally for Cumberland, Howard Gilman Waterfront Park, St
Marys.
There opportunities for GEC members to participate. Interested - call or email the GEC.

Friday, July 7 - GEC 1st Friday Lunch,
11:15 AM, Olive Garden Restaurant, 600 Glynn Isles, Brunswick. Jason Lee
Nongame Conservation Section Program Manager with DNR’s Wildlife Resources
Division, is giving a presentation about Altama Plantation and the history of
the 4,000-acre nature preserve outside Brunswick which opened to the public a
year ago. He will also share information on its natural resources, what makes
the property a biological gem, and what the property means for state wildlife
goals.

Friday, August
4 - GEC 1st Friday Lunch, 11:15 AM, Olive Garden Restaurant, 600 Glynn Isles,
Brunswick. Maegan
Mack, GEC Safe Seafood Outreach, will be speaking about the Socio-Economic
Decision-Making of Fishers in the Seafood Advisory Area. Maegan has been
studying fisher psychology during outreach activities.
What
We Have Been Working On

- The Twitty
Park Worth Saving initiative remains strong and active Glynn County
Superior Court has requested the parties enter into mediation. Please remind
your elected representatives that public assets like parks, historical sites,
coastlands, and our tree canopy are worth preserving. For updates - Twitty Park
Facebook Page

- The recent
acquisition of Musgrove Plantation by the St Simons Land Trust has
spurred several calls and emails to the GEC concerning usage of Village Road
and proposed development plans. The GEC assisted in getting the neighborhood
and the other numerous parties communicating about their concerns and solutions.

- Proposed
Cumberland Island development on around 1,000 acres on has drawn attention
of many organizations in coastal Georgia and widely different opinions
concerning development or preservation. For updates - Save Cumberland IIsland
Facebook Page

- The Magnolia
Park Neighborhood continues working for relief from odors, dust, and other
nuisances from the adjoining Liberty Rolloffs Trash Transfer Station. The GEC
is providing assistance when requested.

- Safe Seafood Project – Maegan Mack received a Scholarship from Savannah Presbytery to explore
the Socio-Economic Decision-Making of Fishers in the Advisory Area. Maegan will be our August 4 GEC 1st Friday Lunch speaker.
- Inn at
Sea Island
wetland filling enforcement action received additional attention when a letter
was sent in May providing additional information requested by the Savannah Army
Corps of Engineers. The GEC had to wait two years before requesting an
enforcement action due to Nationwide Permit rules.

- The GEC
continues to monitor Georgia Power’s removal of the coal ash pond from Plant
McManus in Glynn County. Georgia Power reports the removal is around 50%
complete and expects to finish the project in 2018. Two well water samples had arsenic, which has
been reported to the Georgia EPD. The
water will be investigated under the Hazardous Site Response Act program. The
coal ash is being placed in a lined cell without other wastes, and financial
assurances to maintain the cells are in place at the Chesser Island Landfill near Folkston.
Photo:

The last of the treated waste at the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site was handled and the final Operations and Maintenance plan is being implemented. The site will be ready for reuse by 2018.
- The Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site cleanup outside the
underground containment walls (called slurry walls) was completed in late 2016.
The cover was planted and has sprouted. The
excess treated material was buried onsite. A Close-Out Report is expected near
the end of 2017 and the site will then be ready for reuse.

Signs warning fishers about the dangers from contaminated seafood are missing from areas where they fish around the LCP Chemicals Superfund Site.
- The LCP Chemicals Superfund Site Consent Decree for the marsh cleanup
and cover-up was released on July 29, 2016, and GEC comment were
submitted September 6. The final Consent Decree and response to comments was
files May 5. The Federal Superior Court hearing date has been set for June 30,
10:00, Courtroom 1 above the Gloucester Street Post Office in Brunswick. READ
MORE
- The GEC continues to monitor the proposed
Municipal Landfill in Brantley County. The GEC is working with the Brantley County
residents and the GA-EPD to learn more about the proposed landfill permit
application. The community recently
started a Facebook page.
- WAIT, WAIT, WAIT…. The list of projects and issues we are waiting for action
or deliverables.

Coal Ash is not always recognizable.
- Coal ash and trash ….Will the question, “What
will be done with the coal ash,” be answered in 2017? Environmental
organizations are advocating for landfills but have not specified appropriate
locations. Meanwhile, proposed landfill
locations are being opposed.

The Sea Island Spit continues to erode rapidly. Photo: James Holland
- Savannah Army Corps of Engineers
(ACE) - The GEC and other coastal organizations continue to wait for a
response to comments concerning the Sea
Island Groin permit. The Georgia Court of Appeals upheld the Coastal
Marshlands Protection Committee approval of the Groin project.
- The Harrington Road Boat Ramp remains
a concern for boaters and fishermen on St. Simons. Efforts continue to preserve
the only public access to creeks and protective waters.

Toxic wastes were emitted from the Hercules Plant outfall during its 100+ year history and is now the focus of a cleanup.
- The Terry Creek Dredge Spoil
Areas/Hercules Outfall Site Proposed Plan comments on the cleanup and
cover-up of the outfall ditch were sent to the EPA in early September 2015. We are waiting for the release of the EPA
Responsiveness Summary and proposed Record of Decision.
Glynn Environmental Coalition: Email gec@glynnenvironmental.org Phone: 912-466-0934
www.glynnenvironmental.org