ARK News Summer 08 - Altamaha Riverkeeper

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
Salt Marsh Soldiers begin the Glass Wall Project at Mary
Ross Waterfront Park. L-R: Victoria Edwards, Justin Walker,
Temekia Williams, Shaneice Armstrong, Patrick Mack, Tyree
Sams, Eric Hughes, David Smiley, and local environmentalist / glass wall engineer Chris Daughtry
A group 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
recycled in Brunswick, the students are demonstrating how
to create beautiful things out of trash. The Soldiers will
also include a plaque as a tribute to local environmentalists
and James Holland’s name will be the first on the list.
ARK News
Welcome Aboard:
• 2008 officers: Len Hauss, President; Bruce
Berryhill, Vice President; Wright Gres, Treasurer; and Neill
Herring, Secretary.
• New board members: Becky Wood, Walt Wood, and
Whit Wright.
• New staff members: Coastkeeper Wendy Galan and
Operations Manager Bryce Baumgartner.
Thanks to:
• Past President Mary Ellen Wilson (2003-2007).
• Past President and founding member Robert DeWitt
(2000-2003). Robert was presented the Carolyn Hodges
award at the 2007 Annual Meeting.
• Neill Herring, board member honored with the
Ogden Doremus award. Mary Ellen, Robert, and Neill are
continuing their service on the board.
• Carl Poppell, Tracey Adams, and Walter Ogden for
their past service on the board.
• Former ARK staff members Debbi Davis, Mathew
Teti and Billie Jo Hagan.
Wendy Galan is the new Altamaha Coastkeeper. Wendy
was raised fishing, shrimping, and crabbing in the rivers and
creeks that separate St. Simons and Sea Island with her
father, Captain Frank Mead, a charter boat guide for over 30
years. Before Joining ARK, Wendy, a graduate of
Armstrong State University, worked at Sea Island as the
assistant to the Executive Chef where she learned how to
juggle many changing priorities and manage culinary chaos.
Wendy says that as the Altamaha Coastkeeper, she feels like
she has the job that she has trained for all of her life.
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:
Emily Egginton WKA, Kristine Stratton WKA, Bryce Baumgartner,
Bruce Berryhill, Deborah Sheppard, James Holland, Becky Wood, Walt
Wood, Neill Herring, Mary Ellen Wilson, Wright Gres, Len Hauss,
Wendy Galan, Mark Yaggi WKA, Constance Riggins
Altamaha
Support ARK’s work...
become a member today!
2
GetActive
at Your Local Level
by Walt and Becky Wood
Here’s How & Why
Participating in local land use planning is the first step to
protecting water quality. Your local zoning board makes
critical decisions about a development’s size, density, roads,
water, and sewer systems. Local meetings provide numerous
opportunities for involvement in economic development and
land use decisions by your local city council, county
commission, development authority, and planning and
zoning board.
Most meetings are required to be open to the public,
advertised, publicly posted, and provide agendas and
meeting minutes. ARK encourages you get involved, unite
with your neighbors, and join a growing number of
watershed citizens who are working to protect water quality
at the local level. Start today by finding meeting
announcements in your local newspaper and attending
meetings. Helpful tips for getting involved:
• Don’t try “one up-man-ship” — YOU will lose; be
congenial, not adversarial.
• Make yourself known to officials and establish
credibility and name recognition. Speak in facts, not
emotions. Do your research and know of what you speak,
then speak concisely and avoid repetition.
• Attend meetings of your county commission, city
council, school board — become aware of what is going on
BEFORE it is in your backyard. If you don’t, it soon WILL
BE in your backyard. Request copies of meeting agendas
several days in advance. Some local governments require
you to sign up and state the subject of your remarks several
days in advance if you wish to address your elected officials
in open meetings. Some have a “Public Comments” section
in the agenda. Call your county or city offices to find out
how this is done. You should expect questions and if you
don’t know the answer, then so state and offer to get back to
the individual asking the question. Do not try to bluff your
way through the question because the individual who asked
probably already knows the answer — if you tell them you
will get back to them, then do not fail to do that!
• 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-onone 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 NOT publicly admonish or embarrass
3
your elected officials. You will gain nothing but grief by
doing so. If they do something you like, praise them
publicly; or if someone else attacks them, try to defend them
— you will reap huge rewards by doing this.
• If there is something you really want done, put it in
a properly written, grammatically correct format. If it
requires signatures, present a smooth document ready for
their signatures along with a cover letter explaining why you
want what you are requesting, especially in the case of
resolutions. Be absolutley certain that you spell each name
correctly! Present a copy for each individual whose signature
you are requesting. Also, attach a CD or disk and present this
to the Mayor or Chairperson. If they want to make changes
they can easily load the document into their computer and do
so — this will pay dividends! In a few days after you have
delivered the documents, contact the Mayor or Chairperson
and ask if they have questions and if they will present it, or
let you present it to the Commission or the Council or
Board. Follow your request until you get disposition on it.
• Arrive at meetings early — what you can learn from
casual conversation or what you overhear can be valuable.
Also, do not disrupt the meeting by coming in late.
• Get to know secretaries and office personnel and
make sure they know you by sight, name, and reputation. If
they don’t want you to see or speak to whomever you ask for,
you aren’t going to see or speak to them except by chance.
• Dress appropriately for meetings. You won’t get a
second chance to make a first impression!
• Be absolutely certain that you turn off your cell
phone or pager when you go into a meeting.
• Don’t be afraid to take them some homemade
cookies, candy, or other goodies at Christmas or other
special occasions. Tell them that you appreciate their efforts.
• Volunteer to help with special projects and to serve
on Boards and Committees. Let them know you are willing
to get involved.
• Remember there is strength in numbers so get as
many people to these meetings as you can. Get your friends
and neighbors to contact the officials and lobby for the
common interest.
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 dollar for dollar all 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 now and double the value of their donations. Your
support makes hundreds of accomplishments possible.
• After ARK’s air survey and report, Hartley Station
development in Macon was ordered to halt work that was
contaminating a wetland with widespread erosion
• McIntosh County Commissioners committed to
develop a wetlands protection ordinance after local action
from concerned ARK members
• ARK’s appeal of a post disturbance buffer variance
for Aiken Island in Brunswick led to judge’s ruling against
granting buffer variances after an area is already disturbed
• After ARK reports, owners of Chakmak subdivision
in Pine Harbor, McIntosh County were ordered by EPD to
clean up a dump on Sapelo River filled with old cars,
modular homes, roofing, generators, appliances, and tires
• Andrews Island site next to Hwy 17 near Jekyll’s
Sidney Lanier Bridge was required to restore salt marsh after
ARK documentation of marsh destruction
• ARK and Darien Neighborhood Association
identified problems that led to Darien’s development of
improved ordinances and zoning procedures
• Army Corp of Engineers acknowledged errors in
wetland delineation at Cottage Grove subdivision in Glynn
County after ARK’s research and reporting showed
inconsistencies in delineation
• Wildlife in the Altamaha photography show was
presented by James Holland at Middle Georgia College
• James Holland was
named as one of Georgia’s
“Most Influential in 2008” by
Georgia Trend Magazine
• Citizens concerned
over development of Julienton
Plantation and Young Man’s
Road united for better planning
and wetland protection in
McIntosh County.
Houston County Board Members Get Involved
After moving back home to Houston County, Becky and
Walton Wood have become active in political and
environmental issues that affect the middle Georgia area.
They attend all County Commission and most of the Perry
City Council meetings and spearheaded the drive to adopt
the “Water Resolution.” They communicate local issues to
Altamaha
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
investigating a complaint. James has been instrumental in
encouraging their interests in environmental issues and
provided on the job training so they can engage in watershed
protection.
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.
Konetzko, George Noble Jones, Robert Strain, and Sally and
William Wylly, among others. In 1915, George Patelidas
bought the building and later passed it onto his son Stelio
Patelidas. In 1985, Patelidas sold the lot consisting of the
Darien Hotel, Patelidis Hardware, and Rogers Drugstore to
Linda Miller and Sheila Parker for an antique store. Since
then, the hardware store has housed several businesses
including the Tea Cup Inn Tearoom, This Old House
Antiques, and Shaw’s Antiques.
In 2007, Sheila and Johnny Parker restored the spacious
1,830 square foot historic building retaining many original
elements including the windows, yellow pine floors, and red
brick walls. The stairs to the second-story are constructed
from the pine tongue and groove boards, which once graced
the walls of Purvis Elementary School in Brunswick. The
stair banister is an early twentieth century oak wagon tongue
complete with a wrought iron hinge and ring.
Johnny and Sheila Parker working on renovation at 105
West Broad Street
There was quite a fur trade in Darien during the 1930’s
and ARK’s meeting room now occupies the original furdrying room. Reflecting the building’s origins, the original
beaver boards used to stretch the hides of beaver, mink, and
fox are mounted on the office walls. Other period artifacts
on display reflect Darien’s timber industry, including an
early 1900’s chipping tool used to cut into pines for draining
sap for turpentine and a log ruler used to measure timber
before shipping. A reconstructed upstairs balcony in the back
of the building overlooks what was once the Darien Hotel
courtyard.
Deborah Sheppard, ARK’s Director, says, “We are
grateful to be part of the Parker’s historic preservation work
in Darien; it compliments our work to preserve our area’s
priceless natural resources.”
The Problem with Rayonier Continues...
Rayonier's wastewater flows down the Altamaha with polluting dark colored discharge on the left. On the right, the
tributary from Morgan's Lake is not impacted, as indicated
by the lighter colored water, until it reaches the Altamaha.
Altamaha Coastkeeper Wendy Galan holds her breath while
taking water samples at Rayonier. Her face shows a common
reaction to the smell in the area.
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
responded to a packed room of citizens’ calling for wetland
protection by voting to develop and adopt a county wetland
protection ordinance. This move came after citizens rallied
to express their frustration and concern over the destruction
of salt marsh and fresh water wetlands on Young Man’s
Road and the rezoning to increase development density for
Julienton Plantation adjacent to the largest clam growing
operation in Georgia.
Many McIntosh citizens no longer believe the state and
federal government are protecting our freshwater wetlands,
coastal marshlands, and water quality after seeing many
critical areas destroyed without the proper permits or review.
While citizens watched the daily destruction of a large
site on Young Man’s Road, the McIntosh County
Commission marginalized their concerns and rezoned the
nearby Julienton Plantation property from Conservation
Preservation (CP) allowing 1 house on 3 acres to Residential
(R1) allowing from 1 to 3 houses per acre depending on the
availability of community water and/or sewer.
County
assurances
that the
marsh and
wetlands are
protected by
state and
federal
agencies lack
credibility.
After seeing
our wetlands
and marshes
cleared,
ditched, and drained to allow for more development with
greater densities, residents want change. ARK applauds
local citizens and the County Commission for their effort to
develop a model wetland protection ordinance to protect our
remaining wetland resources.
Judge’s Ruling Protects State Waters
“The
Environmental
Protection
Division
(EPD) failed
to protect state
waters by
improperly
granting a
buffer
variance to a
Brunswick
Cabretta and Blackbeard Island
developer.” That
was the June 2007 decision of Judge John B. Gatto, a state
administrative law judge in a suit won by the Altamaha
Riverkeeper (ARK) and Satilla Riverkeeper. The court
concluded the developer, Robert M. Torras, Sr. repeatedly
disturbed the buffer and failed to stabilize the site. The twoacre site in Brunswick is being developed into the “Brunswick
Landing Marina.”
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
variance application.
In the course of ARK’s three-year investigation
beginning in 2004, ARK filed numerous complaints with the
Coastal Resources Division (CRD) of the Department of
Natural Resources and EPD officials. According to ARK,
CRD’s failure to establish the correct location of the marsh
Altamaha
jurisdiction line (where the marsh meets the upland) led to
the developer bulldozing marsh and dumping 126 truckloads
of dirt into the marsh.
The suit could have been avoided. The EPD and CRD
are responsible for protecting salt marshes but it took the
judge’s ruling to enforce the law.
Science Fair Awards
Coastkeeper Wendy Galan presents ARK awards to
two eighth graders at the 2008 Georgia Regional Science
and Engineering Fair sponsored by Coastal Georgia
Community College in Brunswick.
Resse Parshley from Needwood Middle School, 1st
Place winner for his project:
Canals and floodgates in the
fresh water and salt watermixing zone.
Camille Hattaway from St
Francis Xavier School, 2nd
Place winner for her project:
Fertilizer. Photos by Glynn
Environmental Coalition.
6
Altamaha Riverkeeper, One of
100 MOST INFLUENTIAL GEORGIANS
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
pots were always brimming with 1,500 pounds of crabs a
day. Ultimately development upstream warmed and polluted
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
and environmental well-being are one and the same. I
encourage everyone to report pollution and demand action
from regulatory agencies and elected representatives. "
Proposed Coal Plant on the Oconee River
Plant Washington, a coal-fired power plant is proposed
near Sandersville in Washington County in rural east-central
Georgia. According to the plant’s website, the company
estimates beginning the operation in 2013 to provide base
load electricity to nearly 700,000 Electric Management
Corporation (EMC) members.
The Washington County plant would negatively impact
Georgia’s water and air quality according to the Southern
Alliance for Clean Energy. To obtain water for the plant, the
EMCs are proposing to build a 30-mile pipeline to the
Oconee River. In addition, they plan to dig 16 wells
throughout Washington County to draw from groundwater
during periods of drought. The proposed plant will also emit
smog-forming nitrogen oxides, mercury, soot-forming sulfur
dioxide, and global warming pollutants such as carbon
7
dioxide for generations to come.
Georgia already has 10 coal-fired power plants, one of
which, Plant Scherer just to the north of Macon, is often
cited as one of the most polluting coal-fired plant in the
nation. The cycle of building power plants to serve overprojected needs and then promoting consumption to pay for
expensive polluting power plants needs to end now. ARK
urges you to get directly involved in reducing the negative
impacts of centralized power plants on our water, air, global
warming, and our pocketbooks by working to reduce energy
consumption and promoting investments in efficiency and
conservation. Let’s challenge the utilities to spend the
same amount of money to save energy that they do on
generating energy. Contact ARK for ways to get involved
in finding better energy choices than Plant Washington.
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 LCP accountable for
their damage to the Glynn County marshes.”
In November 2006, the attorneys settled the
case against the Allied/LCP chlor 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
until 1994, the Allied/LCP plant knowingly
In December 2007, a team of attorneys who won the
discharged hundreds of thousands of pounds of mercury and
largest environmental legal settlement in Georgia history
PCBs directly into the outfall that drained into Purvis Creek
presented several local and statewide organizations with
and the Turtle River. It is one of the most contaminated sites
checks totaling $100,000. Recipients of the funds include
in Georgia’s history and was designated Georgia’s first
the Altamaha Riverkeeper, Georgia Conservation Voters,
Superfund site.
GreenLaw, Georgia Watch, Glynn Environmental Coalition,
Water vs. Energy
A corn ethanol plant within a few miles of the Altamaha
River is in the permitting stage before construction in Mount
Pleasant, a community between Jesup and Brunswick. The
East Coast Ethanol, LLC website says the company is
organizing, financing, and constructing four 110 million
gallon per year grain-ethanol production facilities to be
located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and
Florida.
The GA Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is
reviewing requests from the Mt. Pleasant plant to withdraw
almost 2 million gallons of water a day from the Upper
Floridian aquifer. The estimate for the plant’s discharge into
the Altamaha River is around 250,000 gallons of water daily.
In a February meeting, Bill Frechette, a hydrologist with
EPD, met with citizens from Mt. Pleasant like Kim Smith.
“Most area residents totally depend on well water from the
aquifer. How will the plant’s water withdrawal plans affect
our water supply? With the plants close proximity to our
homes and the predicted 100 trucks a day going down our
road, we are also concerned about traffic and safety
problems,” Smith said.
Frishette said the plant’s request was not a lot of water
Altamaha
for the Floridian aquifer compared to the nearby Rayonier
pulp mill, which uses 60 million gallons a day. Frechette
said, “State law says the water use is reasonable. EPD can
only ask: is the water available? The answer is yes. Are there
any unreasonable impacts on the aquifer? The answer is no.”
He told the group the state did not regulate noise or truck
traffic because those were local issues.
Many citizens attending the meeting including Ernie
Brooks were dismayed. “Why can this plant draw millions
of gallons of water a day, but I can only water my lawn on
Tuesdays and Thursdays?” he asked.
ARK is concerned because ethanol production uses
massive amounts of water, industry standards indicate
between three and six gallons of water to produce one gallon
of ethanol. According to the Institute for Agriculture and
Trade Policy- “Shortage of water is the Achilles heel of cornbased ethanol.”
In a state where water resources are already stressed,
what is the effect of a water sucking industry on our water
quality and supply? In the rush to cash in on ethanol, we do
not want to give away our area’s greatest natural resource,
the Altamaha River.
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 1820 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 UGA theater 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
ARK & Coastkeeper Appeal CMPC Decisions
Harrington Creek at low tide, not deep enough for the
current dock, the proposed and permitted dock, nor boats.
Dock Improvement or Plan for New
Commercial Marina?
“The Coastal Marshland Protection Committee (CMPC)
made a mistake by granting a permit that could allow a
commercial marina on Harrington Creek on St. Simons
Island.” This is the opinion of over 300 citizens and the
Altamaha Riverkeeper & Coastkeeper who say the fragile
and shallow site location is unsuitable for the proposed
marina and the proposed 6,000-gallon underground fuel
storage tank.
The permit applicant, P & M Cedar Products, denies the
project is for a commercial marina. They claim they only
want to repair a dilapidated dock at Village Creek Landing
for an embarkation point for guests and staff of the nearby
ecotourism resort, Little Saint Simon’s Island (LSSI).
The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act (CMPA) states
that to receive a permit the applicant is required to
demonstrate the proposed alteration is not contrary to the
public interest and that no feasible alternative public
facilities exist. However, for years, boats and guests going to
LSSI embark from the nearby Hampton River Club Marina.
Recently Hampton River Club Marina requested a major
expansion and has more than enough slip space, parking, and
fueling capacity to serve both LSSI and other members of
the public.
ARK says the applicant submitted erroneous information
in its application and the state did not verify Harrington
11
Creek’s depth measurements. James Holland Altamaha
Riverkeeper and Wendy Galan Coastkeeper followed up by
conducting an extensive depth survey of this section of the
creek. According to ARK’s information: from mid outgoing
to mid incoming tide, the channel is only passable by
kayakers and johnboats. At low tide, it is not deep enough
for other boats. The applicant has already discussed
dredging the creek with state and federal officials.
Other problems exist for modifying the only free public
access to the water on St Simons Island. The committee did
not impose conditions to prevent pubic fuel sales or to limit
fuel usage to LSSI vessels even after various members of the
public and a CMPC member observed that the proposal
appeared to be a commercial marina in disguise. The
committee also failed to adopt any restrictions on the number
and size of vessels that use the dock or the tidal ranges in
which they use the public ramp. The project goes far beyond
what LSSI needs and the island is not the permit applicant or
even a co applicant. For instance, a 6,000-gallon
underground storage tank will hold substantially more fuel
that little St Simons Island would require on a monthly basis.
The CMPC and P & M have attempted to derail the
appeal by challenging ARK's standing or right to appeal this
decision. This technical manuever delays the resolution of
the case on its merits and increases ARK's legal costs.
Earlier attempts by the state to challenge ARK’s standing to
appeal permit decisions have failed. We question why the
state is spending money to waste ARK’s time and resources,
when they could be addressing citizen concerns by
improving permitting decisions with critical review and
proper evaluation of applications.
ARK and its Coastkeeper program have also appealed
the permit for a 1300 + foot dock rider system at Tranquility
on the South Newport in North McIntosh County. As in the
Harrington Creek marina case, the CMPC failed to properly
review and evaluate the proposal in light of the CMPA. The
proliferation of docks created by high-density upland
development is increasing negative impacts to the salt marsh
ecosystem. These cases illustrate the necessity for accurate
applications and proper review.
Altamaha
CLAM JAM 2007
The Altamaha River Keeper celebrated Georgia’s coastal bounty with Clam Jam 2007 on November 17. The event
was held at Pelican Point’s Restaurant in Belleville, a small community in McIntosh County overlooking the Sapelo River.
The food served at the party slept in the river the night before, and the local shrimp, oysters, and clams were
representative of the party’s purpose: to emphasize that citizens, seafood and wildlife all demand healthy water.
Support for protection of our magnificent coastal resources began with scores of businesses and individuals donating
wonderful auction items for the party. Clam Jam sponsors were generous, hosts abundant, bringing their family and
friends from throughout the watershed. Once the auction began, guests were fierce and liberal in their bidding. The
Dappled Grays and Noel Hamilton and Friends, Jonny Hibbert and John Riley provided music for dancing following the
auction. The party was a great success and ARK thanks everyone who participated.
Clam Jam Sponsors
Boone’s Seafood
Brighter Day Natural Foods
Market
Don and Karen Stewart
Garth Bray and Kathryn Baxter
Georgia Shrimp Company
Krull and Company
Mary Ellen and Dick Wilson
Melaver, Inc.
Mr. and Mrs. Ray McPhail
Phillips Seafood
Piggly Wiggly
Poppell, Bolin, and West,
Attorneys at Law
Russell and Molly Kent
Sapelo Sea Farms
Southeast Georgia Health
System
Stormwater Systems
The Peninsula at Golden Isles
Whitworth Law Firm, P.C.
Hosts
Alice Bealer
Ann and Andrew Hartzell
Bill and Frances Landel
Bill, Jan, and Brittany Merriman
Charles Seabrook
Charlie Phillips
Christa Frangiamore
Christi Lambert
Cliff and Saundra Altekruse
David and Mindy Egan
Emmy and Al Minor
Greg Bayard and Maggie Kelly
Jane and Joe Fulcher
Kate Smith
Katie Shellman
Lane and Flip Chalfant
Linda Lamb and Paul Griffin
Lisa Norton
Michelle Lane
Nancy Smith
Robyn and Daron Joffe
Sheila and Johnny Parker
Contributors
Al Kline
Alan Campbell
Altamaha Coastal Tours
Andy Palmer
Antonio Raimo Galleries, Atl.
Ben Foster
Bonnie and Steve Newell
Brad Baugh
Brent Daniel
Cargo Portside Grill, Brunswick
Mark your calendars for
September 27, 2008 Clam Jam
Please volunteer now to help. We need auction items,
sponsors, and party hosts to put
together tables of friends. It will
be an exciting event with music,
dance, and seafood to celebrate
our coastal estuary and its
bountiful gifts. Party location
will be in McIntosh County,
Georgia’s leader in shellfish
harvesting. We will provide
more information as the date
draws closer.
Altamaha
Dan and Ginger Troy
Dapple Grays
Daron (Farmer D) Joffe
David and Betty Lewis
Don and Karen Stewart
Don Carson
Fiddlers
Frances Landel
Gordon Rogers
Half Moon Outfitters,
Charleston SC
Helen Findley
Ivan Bailey
Janisse Ray
Jeannine Cook
Jekyll Island Artist’s Association
Joe Durrett
John Riley
Jonny Hibbert
Kate Smith
Kristen Strezo
Len Poleszak
Linda Armstrong
Lucian DeBacker
Lydia Thompson
Maria Mixon
Marty Whitthoft
Melissa Pope Scott
Mike Buckner
Noel Hamilton
Ogeechee-Canochee
Riverkeeper Chandra Brown
Open Gates Bed and Breakfast,
Jeff and Kelly Spratt
Peter Wagner
Raven Buchard
Robert Filippo
Richard Meeder
Rod Squires
Ruth Kelly
Savannah Bee Company
Scottie Lingerfelt
Shelia Parker
Sheryl Schooley
St Catherine’s Island
Foundation
Stacia Hendricks
Sue Gertis
Taylor Denny
Tim Blackledge
Tradewinds of Coastal Georgia
Waterfront Wines
Wild Birds Unlimited, Savannah
Wright Gres
Richard Madray
(1923-2007) Jesup
Quick with a smile, Richard
loved his family and the Altamaha.
He was a leader on ARK’s Board of
Directors from the beginning of the
organization up until his death. His
knowledge of the river and his enthusiasm to protect it
was inspiring to us all. Richard was an avid historian and
served as a Wayne County Commissioner, member of the
Wayne County Historical Society and the Jesup First
Free Will Baptist Church. People like Richard who loved
the river, enhance ARK’s mission and make our work
more meaningful.
12
Don Cohrs (1926- 2008) Darien
Don Cohrs acted every day in countless ways to support
his community and protect the environment he cherished.
According to his wife Doris, he always said “I wish
everyone would take a walk in the woods and look and
listen to nature's awesome wonders.” An avid and expert
birder, Don's favorite bird was the one he was looking at.
We honor his memory by sharing our favorite wildlife
photos throughout the newsletter.
In Honor Of
Mr and Mrs Jerry Amerson by Dr and Mrs Tyrus Ivey
Stacia Hendricks by Jane Beadles
Mandy Schmitt by David Dod
Deborah Sheppard & her lovely children by Joel and Vicki Breman
Alice Bealer by Emily Calhoun
Wendy Galan by James B. Gilbert
Wendy Galan by David Hobbs and Karen Evans
Gift Memberships
Hunter Hurst and Barbara Foster from Susan Earl
Mrs. George U. Strosnider, Mr. Merle A. Bessey, Mr. and Mrs. Al Bilotti,
Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Peterson, Mr. and Mrs. Josh Chamberlain, Mr.
and Mrs. Sam Vollen, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Nance, Mr. and Mrs. Blake
Henry from Janice and Larry Lamattina
Mrs. Ida Cecil from Mr. and Mrs. John Cecil
James L. Harrell from James R. Harrell
John and Anne Donaldson, Gus and Sally Camacho, Keld Agnar and
Judith Ryerson from Capp Cappelmann
Tom and Tricia Bass from Gayle Findlay
Ben and Patricia Cochran from Gayle Findlay
Bill Fanning Jr. from Honey Fanning
Laura Toal from Russell Toal
Johnny and Sarah Johnson from Kyla Hastie
Chris Crouse, Andy and Tina Pusser from George and Ann Fuller
J. Andrew Summerour from Martha Summerhour
In Memory Of
Richard Madray by: Dorothy Hires, Emily Harris, Joan and Winton
Westberry, Lynne Hanks and Family, Mr. and Mrs. Jeff Adams, Mary
Ellen Wilson, Len and Janis Hauss, Wayne County Retired Educators
Association, Linton and Olene T. Lewis, Monica Oquinn, Marilyn Lanier,
Wilson and Tracy Elder, Dayne and Evelyn Deloach, Piney Grove
Cemetery Trust Fund, Mr. & Mrs. Tommy Houston and family, Warren
and Sharon Whidden, Riley and Shirley Reddish, Onnie Osborne, Major
General and Mrs. William Holland
Ogden Doremus by: Joel and Vicki Breman, Chandra and Doug Brown,
Patsy Bowen, Savannah Presbytery M.K. Pentacost Ecology Fund
Lana and Leah Meadows by Jeanie and Wendell Meadows
Howard Reddish by Len and Janis Hauss
William Bryan Jr. by: Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Hale, Mr. and Mrs. William
Bryan III, Jim Connah
Mrs. Margaret Somers by Mr. and Mrs. E. Kay Stafford Jr.
Robert L. Osborne by Linton and Olene T. Lewis
Kay Slavinsky by Pam and Lewis Shropshire
Hannah Lardin Swearingen by Joan Lardin
Milton Newton Hopkins Jr. by: Susie Humphries, Don and Doris Cohrs
Dr. Peter Holliday by Jack and Barbara Jenkins
Christopher Dickinson by Lewis and Pam Shropshire
Emmitt F. Yearty by Timothy Parker
Aaron Sweerus by Marjorie Sweerus Bell
John Kraus by Chris and Ward Milner
Mr. Bad, a good kitty by Jane Fraser
Bob and Margina Dunlap by Gina Dunlap-Cogswell
Dr. C. E. Patton by Tracy Elder, Jack Patton, Steve Patton, Rob Patton
Ray Jessup by Dr. and Mrs. John W. Bembry
Ida Cecil by: Wesley and Molly Cottingham, Edward and Susan
Reynolds, Jimmy and Nancy Cain, David and Tina Jimmerson, Mary
Severance and Kay Eisenhower
Earl B. Fazekas by B. J. Fazekas
Johnny Adams by Kathryn Shellman
Byron Lewis by Capp Cappleman
Tommy Hogg by Boree and Dora Watson
13
Ogden Doremus (1921- 2007) Metter
As spring comes again to the Altamaha, we celebrate
Earth Day in memory of our friend, teacher, and protector of
Georgia's environment.
Special Thanks to Friends & Volunteers
Adam Kron
Akin Memorial United Methodist
Church
Alice Bealer
Allen Dubose
Ann Hartzell
Aoki Yanigiya
Becky and Walt Woods
Bill Sapp
Brian Gist
Bruce Berryhill
Bryce Baumgartner
Bub and Mary Lynde Way
Cabrinia Wright
Caitlan Kelley
Cap Cappelmann
Carrie Knapp
Catherine Wannamaker
Chandra Brown
Charlie Agnew
Charlie Phillips
Christa Frangiamore
Claudia Hafner
Cliff and Saundra Altekruse
Dana Beach, Georgia River
Network
Daniel Parshley
Danny Grissette
David and Mindy Egan
David Kyler
David Mixon
David Pope
Don Stack
Doris and Don Cohrs
Dortha Myers
Ed Henderson
Ed McDaniel
Ed Stelle
Elizabeth Nicholas
Ellie Legg
Elliot Brack
Emily Egginton
Emmy and Al Minor
Erica Overstreet
Frances and Bill Landel
Fred and Sallye Hooks
Fred Marland
Georgia Conservancy
Gordon Rogers
Gray Cat Gang Dulcimer Band
Hutton Brown
James Bryan, Jr.
Janisse Ray
Jason Chapman
Jay St Vincent
JD and Linda Daniel
Jeanne Norris
Jeremy Maslak
Joe and Jane Fulcher
Joe Durrett
John Baker
John Cleveland
John Evans
Johnny Bembry
Joyce and Chuck Ellison
Justine Thompson
Kate Marks
Kathryn Kappler
Kathy Wilcox
Katie Shellman
Kelly and Jeff Spratt
Kim Harper
Krista Frangiamore
Kristine Stratton
Kurt Ebersbach
Len Hauss
Lisa Sanders
Mac and Neill Herring
Marilyn Lanier
Marion Ricker
Mark Yaggi
Marshall Gaddis
Mary Ann Overstreet
Mary Ellen Wilson
Michelle Dodson
Motoki Yanigiya
Nanae Yanagiya
Neil Carey
Patagonia Atlanta
Patricia Rugaber
Patrick Hagan
Paul Christian
Peter Krull
Phil Fortune
Renee and Amy DeWitt
Rett Davis
Rev Gary Abbot
Robert Dewitt
Robert Oberman
Rosa Parks
Sandy Pharr
Scott Cunningham
Sheila and Johnny Parker
Susan Murphy
Tommie Kapplar
Tracey Huskey
Vicki Klahn
Walt and Becky Wood
Wendell and Kathleen Berryhill
Wendell Meadows
Altamaha
Adriane Wood
Al Kline
Alan and Pat Sproles
Alan Campbell
Albert Way
Alice Bealer
Alice L Steyaart
Alison Hawk
Allan NeSmith
Allan Sproles
Allan Sproles
Allen McDaniel
Alpha J Watson
Altamaha Coastal Tours
Alvin Tuten, Jr.
Amelia Lasater
Andrew and Ann Hartzell
Andrew Cabero Jr.
Andrew Wetherington
Andy and Amy Broderick
Andy and Tina Pusser
Andy Palmer
Angela Donaldson
Angie and Kenny Gatewood
Ann and Bell Carswell
Ann and George Fuller
Ann and Jim Trapnell
Ann and Ralph Hemphill
Anna Campbell
Anna Tillman
Anne Armstrong Davis
Anne Hoyt
Anne Langford
Anne Mueller
Anne Smith
Antonio Raimo Galleries
April Ingle
Aurelia Adams
B. J. Fazekas
Barbara Ann Simons
Barbara Lumpkin
Barlow Rhodes
Barry Hannah
Barry Hudson
Bell & Brigham
Ben and Zay Foster
Ben Blount
Ben Ogbogu
Berkeley and Dan Minor
Bertha and Paul Marsden
Betsy Lerner
Betty Herrin
Betty Scott
Betty Vaughn and Don Schoonover
Bill and Frances Landel
Bill Eisenhauer
Bill Heinz
Bill Jones
Bill Liggin
Bill Sapp and Allison Burdette
Blake Lisenby
Bo McAdams
Bob and Jackie Gunn
Bob Biebel
Bob Livingston
Bonnie and Steven Newell
Boones Seafood
Boree and Dora Watson
Brad Baugh
Breezer Molton, Half Moon Outfitters
Brenda Strickland
Brian Strange
Brighter Day Natural Foods
Brockington and Associates, Inc
Bruce Berryhill
Bub and Mary Lynde Way
Bud and Mary Alice Thomas
Bud and Niki Queen
Burt Cousar
Burton Family Foundation
Butch and Pat Hall
Altamaha
Thanks to our supporters
Butch Zell
Butler Wooten & Fryhofer, LLP
C. Brooks and Othilla Bailey
Calvin and Lillie Ann Yawn
Capp Cappelmann
Cargo Portside Grill
Carl Kitchens and Carole Dixon
Carlton Herrin and Carla Jernigan
Carlton Rowell
Carmine Carpenter
Carol Kemker
Carol M. Williams
Carol Moldoveanu
Carol Stangler
Carol Williams and Roderic Johnson
Carole Lyons
Caroline and Terry Harrington
Cary Smith
Cassina Garden Club
Cecil and Sandra Hudson
Chandra and Doug Brown
Charles A. Daley
Charles and Belitje Bull
Charles and Claire Cox
Charles and Grace Kerns
Charles and Joyce Baugh
Charles and Joyce Ellison
Charles and Laura Seabrook
Charles and Marjorie Bell
Charles Andrew
Charles Andrew, Jr.
Charles Baugh
Charles Heinz
Charles Smith
Charlie Agnew
Charlie Belin
Charlie Phillips
Chester Parker
Chip and Gina Sasser
Chris and Ward Milner
Chris Crounse
Chris Depkin
Christa Frangiamore
Christi Lambert
Christina Nichols
Christine Rodick
Christine Salberg
Christopher Miller
Cindy McDonald
Claire Daughtry
Clare Buchanan
Clark and Tammy Heindel
Clementi L. Holder
Colonel (R) John E. Rourke
Constance Johnson
D. Alan West
Dale and Sonny Thorpe
Dale Bishop
Dan and Ginger Troy
Dan Good
Dan Stone
Dana and Chris Skelton
Daniel Krauss, Jr. and Daniel Krauss
Daniel Parshley
Danny and Kim Smith
Danny Grissette
Dapple Grays
Darien Telephone Company
Daron Joffe
David and Betty Ann Lewis
David and Kim Wittenberg
David and Mindy Egan
David and Tina Jimmerson
David Dickerson
David Dockery
and Rosemarie Griggs
David Dod
David Higgins
David Hobbs and Karen Evans
David Pope
David Rickerson
David Wright and Mary Mcgee
Dawn and August Stitzel
Debbie Kearney and Dale Williams
Deborah Oder
Del and Beverly Presley
Delores Coy
Denise Holland
Dennis and Amy Walker
Dennis and Betty Benner
Dennis and Faren Crews
Diane Lewis
Dianne Russell
Dick and Barbara Kasak
Don and Dortha Myers
Don and Karen Stewart
Don Carson and Susan Murphy
Donald Richardson Jr.
Donny Screws, Jr.
Dot Cowart
Dot Moss
Dr. and Mrs. E. L. Harrell
Dr. and Mrs. E. R. McDannald, Jr.
Dr. and Mrs. John Bembry
Dr. and Mrs. Stanley Brobson
Dr. and Mrs. Thomas McKee
Dr. Dale Bishop
Dr. Eugene and Charlsie Keferl
Dr. Gary Lewis
Dr. Lloyd Newberry, Jr.
Dr. Melissa Booth
Dr. Richard and Ginger Boswell
Dr. Roger and Annette Branch
Dr. Thomas Fassuliotis
and Ginger Lowery
Dr. Walter Ray Davis Jr.
Dusty and Wright Gres
Dwain Christian
E. Jack Davidson
E. Turner Collins
Ed and Linda Hunt
Ed Jordan
Ed McDaniel
Eddie and Wana Brown
Edward and Susan Reynolds
Edward Boshears
Edward Byron "Bo" Lewis
Elaine and Charles Nash
Elbern Lowery
Eliose Thompson
Ellen and Michael Kiley
Ellie Legg
Eloise B Thompson
Emily Calhoun
Emmy and Al Minor
Farm 255
Faye D. Parker
Faye Hinson
Faye Sisson
Fiddlers - Darien
Foye L. Tinsley III
Frances and Bill Landel
Frank and Lois Quinby
Frank and Patty McIntosh
Frank and Patty Parrish
Frank Giusta
Frank Watson
Frankie and Guy Clark
Frankie Pennone
Frankie Snow
Gaby Ivie
Gail S Bleichner
Garden Club of Gerogia
Garth Bray and Kathryn Baxter
Gary Fowler
George A Rogers
George and Ethel Pruden
George and Juanita Davis
George and Lisa Trexler
George and Susan Dupree
George C. Carson
George Eshliman
George Rogers
Georgia Graves
Georgia River Network
Georgia Shrimp Company
Gina Dunlap-Cogswell
Glenn Carroll Boatenreiter
Glover and Joanne Rae McGhee
Golden Island International, LLC
Gordon and Gina Rogers
Grace Jackson
Gray Cat Gang
Greg and Lisa Milks
Gregg Bayard and Maggie Kiley
Gregory and Joyce Kennedy
Griffin and Carolyn Lotson
Guy and Nancy Carter
Guy and Robin Cheek
Guy and Valerie Fried
Gwyneth Moody
H.P. Nunnally Jr.
Hamilton Plantation Garden Club
Harold and Virginia Hicks
Harriet Jardine
Harriet Langford
Harry Mitchell
Hazel Lowery
Helen Findley
Helen Meadors
Helen, Alexis and Julianne Aberle
Henry and Audry Phillips
Henry and Diane Parkman
Henry Freeman Bacon
Holli Bailey
Honey Fanning
Horst Beall
Howard and Rose Browning
Huey R. Ham
Ivan Bailey
Ivy and Terri Rozier
J. Bryan Fobbus
J. Burton Cousar
J. M. Starr, Sr.
J.M.M. Harrison
Jack Amason
Jack and Barbara Jenkins
Jack and Patti Sandow
Jack and Sherry Jones
Jack F. Godfrey
Jackson Lake Homeowners
James Harrell
James and Jeanne Manning
James and Lisa Cheney
James and Mabel Hicks
James and Sue Gertis
James Drake
James Buttimer and Theresa Wexel
James L. Jackson Jr.
James P. Cifrino, Jr.
Jan and Bill Merriman
Jane and Joe Fulcher
Jane and Malcolm MacKenzie
Jane Clark
Jane Hildebrand
Jane Walker
Janice Browning
Janiece and Peter Broadhead
Janisse Ray and Raven Burchard
Jean and Bob Melton
Jeanie and Wendell Meadows
Jeannine and Rundle Cook
Jeff and Kelly Spratt
Jeffery Brown
Jeffrey and Judy Jennings
Jennifer J. Zimmerman
& Yvonne V. Miller
Jim B. Gilbert
Jim Connah
Jim Grode and Julie Mayfield
Jimmie Ann Abner
Jimmy and Charlotte Harrell
Jimmy and Nancy Cain
14
Jimmy Johnson
Jo and Jack Godfrey
Joan C. Lardin
Joan Hutcheson
Joan Lardin
Joann C. Cook
Joanne Sharpe
Joe and Jane Magnum
Joe Durrett
Joe M Blanton
Joe Vinson
Joel and Vicki Breman
John and Geraldine Train
John and Karen Traylor
John and Lane Mitchell
John Baker
John Branch
John E. Ladson III
John Link
John McCord
John Pasto
John Riley
John Sparrow
John Wegner
Johnny and Sarah Johnson
Jonny Hibbert
Jon Schwartz
Joy Kennedy
Joyce Murlless
Joycelyn Young
Judy and Phil Bates
Julia Spivey
Karen Hunt
Kate Broyles
Katherine Mountcastle
Kathryn Shellman
Kay Beynart
Kaye T. Bracewell
Keith and Shirl Parsons
Keith Haskell
Ken and Celia Bush
Ken and Linda Tucker
Ken and Marjorie Neuhart
Ken Medernach
Ken Neuhart
Ken Suttles
Keta Davenport
Killian & Boyd, PC
Kim and Thomas Tyler
Kitty and Philip Spivey
Kitty Kellogg
Krull & Company
Kyla & Keith Hastie
Lane and Flip Chalfant
Larry Hodges
Larry Kennedy
Laura Chenault
Laura Fabrizio
Laurens County Sportsman Club
Laurie Fahs
LaVada Kendrick
Len and Janis Hauss
Len Poleszak
Leslie B. Davenport, Jr.
Lewis and Pam Shropshire
Lillian Jenkins
Lillian Schaitberger
Linda Armstrong
Lindsay and Marie Holliday
Lisa Davidson
Lisa Mason
Lisa Norton
Lori and David Morley
Lorraine Koenn
Louie Talmadge Lumley
Lucian DeBacker
Lucy and Edgar Shaw
Lucy J. Mercuri
Luke and Anne Smith
Lydia Thompson
Lynne Bayens
15
Thanks to our supporters
Lynne Dobbins
Mac and Brenda Rawson
Malcom Fraser Foundation
Marcus and Chrissy Pearson
Mardy Greer, Fidlers
Margaret Anne and George
Carswell
Margaret Lee
Margaret Rose Jones
Maria Mixson
Marian and Wayne Owens
Marilyn Lanier
Mark and Betsy Friedman
Mark Turpen
Marston Dyche
Martha Summerour
Marty Witthoft
Mary Eleanor Wickersham
Mary Ellen and Dick Wilson
Mary Lou Forsyth
Mary Lynn and Edmund Dukes
Mary Severance & Kay Eisenhower
Mattie and David Gladstone
Maurice Hatfield
Max Brugh
Max Davis
McReynolds Family Foundation
Melaver, Inc.
Melissa Pope-Scott
Michael and Benita Muth
Michael and Joyce Russell
Michael and Pamela Browning
Michael Moody
Michelle Hendry
Michelle Lane
Mick Allen
Mike and Laurie Hawks
Mike and Rosie Ozaki
Molly Martin
Monica O'Quinn
Morgan Fordham
Mr. & Mrs. Richard Madray
Mr. and Mrs. Bradley Hale
Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Peppiatt
Mr. and Mrs. Carlton Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Claude Bird
Mr. and Mrs. Dennis Holder
Mr. and Mrs. Dubose Porter
Mr. and Mrs. Guy Carter
Mr. and Mrs. H. Ray McPhail
Mr. and Mrs. Harry Hagerty
Mr. and Mrs. Horace Wishart
Mr. and Mrs. James Hicks
Mr. and Mrs. John Cecil
Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Lindsey
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gossage
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Tomberlin
Mr. and Mrs. W. P. Thompson, Jr.
Mr. and Mrs. Wilson Thorpe
Mr. and Mrs.Paul Mathis Jr.
Mrs. Sam R. Cecil
Nancy and Hank Boshears
Nancy and Hank Ringeling
Nancy Shipman Coursey
Nancy Zeigler
Nathan and Joyce Klaus
Neal Priest
Nellie Sparrow
Neptune Garden Club
Nila Geiger
Noel Hamilton
Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper
Olen Williams
P Edmonds
Parker and Mandlon Blount
Pat Wilkinson
Patricia and Wilson Thorpe
Patty Martin
Paul & Jane Christian
Paul and Annabelle Salter
Paul and Brenda Kordizikowski
Paul and Cathy Glenn
Paul and Joan Sykes
Paul and Rene Kane
Paul Cushing
Paul E. Brown
Paul Griffin and Linda Lamb
Payson and Sara Sullivan
Peggie Harris
Peggy Lee
Pete Peteet and Ana Vizurraga
Peter Paluch and Judi Holley
Peter Wagner
Phil and Jan Fortune
Philip I. Friedman DDS
Pierre Howard
Piggly Wiggly
Poppell, Bolin & West,
Attorneys at Law
Preston Foskey
Price and Rogena Cordle
R. Don Lewis
R.E.M.
Ralph and Ann Hemphill
Ralph and Ellen Shapiro
Randal Walker
Randy Brown
Randy Coody
Ray and Georgia Hawkins
Ray E. Colglazier
Ray Garrett and Mary Jane
Coleman
Reba Stone
Rebecca Bell
Rebecca R Shortland
Regina Beatie
Rep. Debbie & Mike Buckner
Richard and Carol Hatcher
Richard and Gia Lillie
Richard and Martha Armstrong
Richard and Michelle Brown
Richard Lowrance
Richard Neal and Ginger Boswell
Rick Parrish
Rick Smith
Rita Kilpatrick
Robbie Griffith
Robert and Carol Fudge
Robert and Carolyn Hargrove
Robert and Tracie DeWitt
Robert Baker
Robert Davis
Robert N. Saveland
Robert Saveland
Rod Squires
Roger and Susan Mathews
Roger Frobe
Rogers Family Trust
Ron and Jennifer Kneib
Ronald and Willene Frost
Rooney and Peggy Tillman
Rosemary Griggs
Rowland Cliatt
Royce Hayes
Russell and Molly Kent
Russell and Whit Perrin Wright
Rusty Quarterman
Ruth Kelly
Sally Bethea
Sally Mathis
Sam Elliott
Sandra Cerrato
Sandra Stribling
Sara Barczak and Anthony Jernigan
Sarah & Wilson Barmeyer
Satilla Riverkeeper, Inc.
Saundra and Cliff Altekruse
Savannah Bee Company
Savannah Presbytery M.K.
Pentacost Ecology Fund
Scott Cunningham
Scottie Lingerfelt, Sailfish Inn
Sean Galvin
Senator Jack Hill
Sheila and Johnny Parker
Sheryl Rentz
Sheryl Schooley
Sidney Bacchus
Skip Slocum and Sara Taylor
Southeast Adventure Outfitters
Southeast Georgia Health System
Spring Tide Communities
Stacia Hendricks
Stanley Smith
Stephanie and Tom Coffin
Stephen and Barbara Ryner
Steve & Barbara Ryner
Steven and Gail Willis
Steven Scott Battle
Stormwater Systems, Inc.
Sue Gertis
Summer Teal Simpson
Suntrust Bank - Robert W. Owen
Susan Inman
Susan Thomas
Susie Humphries
Suzanne H. Williams
Suzy Cohen
Taylor and Marie Schoettle
Taylor Denny
Terri and Ivy Rozier
The Keith Brasher Family
The Sapelo Foundation
The Turner Foundation
The Walter Boone Family
Thomal Patrick and Bretta Perkins
Thomas and Doris Tomberlin
Thomas and Stephanie Coffin
Thomas Black
Thomas Gaines
Thomas Ingram
Thomas Lowndes
Tim Blackledge
Timothy Parker
Tina and Walton Harris
Tom Fanslow
Tommie and Kathryn Kappler
Tommy Wallace
Toni and Jimmy McCook
Tradewinds of Coastal Georgia
Troy and Paula Winebarger
Upper Oconee Watershed Network
Urbana Garden Club
Venetia Butler
Veolia Environmental Services
Vickie S. Traylor and Jeremy T.
Schneider
W. E. Fraser
Wallace Floyd
Walt and Becky Wood
Waterfront Wine - Darien
Wayne and Marian Owens
Wesley and Jan Rogers
Wesley and Molly Cottingham
Whitworth Law Firm
Wild Birds Unlimited
William A. Parker Jr.
William C. Eisenhauer
William Harden
William J Ellis III and Jane Watt
Balsley
William Jones
William Laws
William M Lester Jr
William Meadows
Wilson and Patrica Thorpe
Wilson and Tracy Elder
Winn and Carolyn Baker
Zeke Gilmore
Altamaha
PRSRT STD
US POSTAGE
Altamaha
PAID
P.O. Box 2642
Darien, Georgia 31305
(912) 437-8164
www.altamahariverkeeper.org
PERMIT #15
DARIEN, GA
RETURN ADDRESS REQUESTED
Board of Directors
Staff
Bruce Berryhill, Cochran
Robert DeWitt, Darien
Wright Gres, Baxley
Kyla Hastie, Athens
Len Hauss, Reidsville
Neill Herring, Jesup
James Holland, Brunswick
Christi Lambert, Darien
Marilyn Lanier, Cobbtown
John Pasto, Cochran
Ann Trapnell, Metter
Mary Ellen Wilson, Eastman
Becky Wood, Kathleen
Walt Wood, Kathleen
Whit Perrin Wright, Jasper
Bryce Baumgartner
Operations Manager
James Holland
Altamaha Riverkeeper
Wendy Vazquez Galan
Altamaha Coastkeeper
Constance Riggins
Development Director
Deborah Sheppard
Executive Director
Your membership contributions allow us to keep working for our watershed. Your membership
expiration date is listed on your mailing label. Please send your tax deductible donation today.
Where is the Watershed
and why is it important?
Thanks to the Initiative to Protect Jekyll Island,
with special thanks to David and Mindy Egan,
Senator Jeff Chapman, Representative Debbie
Buckner, Jekyll Island Authority member Ed
Boshears, and the thousands of citizens who are
working to protect Jekyll. For more information
go to: www.savejekyllisland.org.
The Altamaha Riverkeeper
and
its
Altamaha
Coastkeeper program
are working to protect
and restore the habitat,
water quality, and flow of the
mighty Altamaha from its
headwaters in the Oconee,
Ocmulgee, and Ohoopee to its
terminus at the Atlantic Coast.
The Altamaha River Watershed is Georgia’s largest, covering 14,000
square miles. Beginning near Atlanta and Athens, in the foothills of the
Appalachian Mountains, the water system sends one hundred thousand
gallons of fresh water a second to the Atlantic Ocean. Once it reaches
the coast, the watershed creates one of the most productive estuaries in
the country.
Georgia’s coast is less than a hundred miles long, but it contains one
third of the salt marsh on the United States’ Eastern coast. The
watershed’s rivers, small creeks, and streams feed the bountiful estuarine
ecosystem that provides the nursery grounds for commercially and
recreationally valuable fish and food for thousands of migratory birds.
More than 120 species of rare or endangered plants and animals live
in the Altamaha River Watershed - the largest documented cluster of
globally imperiled plants and animals of any watershed in Georgia.
Thousands of residents depend on the Altamaha River Watershed
for recreation, food, and drinking water.
How ARK Works: Assisting citizens with
water pollution problems, the Altamaha
Riverkeeper investigates sites to stop
pollution. ARK’s work includes water testing,
documentation, and follow up reports to
local, state, and federal regulatory agencies to
encourage the enforcement of water quality
laws. Through education, environmental
advocacy, citizen action, negotiation, and if
necessary, legal action, ARK finds solutions to
protect the health of our rivers and estuary.