Upcoming Events

Saturday, June 24^th, 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