Boiling Crabs to Save Cypress

December 04, 2008 -- Atlanta
Gathered around a pot of boiling Louisiana blue crabs outside the Home Depot corporate headquarters, members of the Save Our Cypress Coalition once again called on the Home Depot, Inc. to live up to their environmental commitment by ending the sale of unsustainable cypress mulch. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.healthygulf.org

Water Quality

December 01, 2008 -- Water quality is an increasingly important issue in Coastal Georgia and one that we have made a priority at The University of Georgia Marine Extension Services. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.uga.edu

Ware Landfill Lawsuit Stays Alive

November 22, 2008 -- A Superior Court judge had declined to dismiss a lawsuit that could block a Florida company from burying fly ash at Ware County's unused Tri-County landfill. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.gaenvlaw.wordpress.com

Satilla Riverkeeper to meet Saturday

November 19, 2008 -- The Satilla Riverkeeper holds its annual legislative huddle, membership meeting and a picnic on Saturday near Hoboken. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.wtvynews4.com

Ga. high court rules for coastal developer

November 18, 2008 -- In a decision that could allow less regulated coastal development, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled Monday in favor of a developer seeking to build one of the largest private marina projects in the state.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.savannahnow.com

Georgia Supreme Court issues decision in Cumberland Harbor case that fails to fully protect coastal marshlands

November 17, 2008 -- The Georgia Supreme Court issued a ruling in a case against The Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources which centered on a permit granted to the developer of Cumberland Harbor. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.carriagetradepr.com

Woodbine Festival field trip

October 22, 2008 -- Woodbine is a community that is reinventing itself. When I heard this I wanted to make a destination for a field trip. We had 15 on that trip including the leader Steve Wagner and the Satilla Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers. To read more of this story, click the following link
www.coastalgeorgiabirdint-lydia.blogspot.com

Satilla trash a growing urban issue

September 29, 2008 -- Put a message in a bottle, drop the bottle in water inside the city limits and it may just find its way to sea. More likely, it'll end up jammed together with other litter to form a "raft" of trash on the nearby Satilla River. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Georgia Briefs: Clean up to boost health of the Satilla

September 19, 2008 -- Satilla Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers is urging anybody interested in the health of the river to join him Saturday for the second annual Rivers Alive: Satilla Cleanup. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Ware seeks end game to fly ash deal

July 26, 2008 -- Ware County commissioners will examine the cost of buying out a contract to lease the county landfill to a company that wants to bury fly ash there. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Fear of fly ash in Ware County

July 19, 2008 -- Fly ash might seem like big-city trash, but Ware County residents benefit from its production. That's because most homes get electricity through Georgia Power Co., a company that uses coal-fired plants as do most others. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

ATV riders violating laws, destroying habitat

June 08, 2008 -- People driving all-terrain vehicles illegally in state Wildlife Management Areas in Coastal Georgia have destroyed vital wildlife habitat, damaged natural wetlands and exposed the public wilderness to wildfires, state officials said.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Landowners save river by selling land rights

They will maintain some privileges, but can't develop property of cut down trees.

June 05, 2008 -- The Satilla Rivers winds lazily through Southeast Georgia, creating unique and beautiful scenery that also serves as a habitat for a variety of wildlife.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Satilla River: Is it an ATV 'highway to trespass'?

Officials, landowners, environmentalists call for new laws

June 02, 2008 -- Satilla Riverkeeper Gordon Rogers calls the Satilla a "highway to trespass". When the rivers drops in the warm-weather months, all-terrain vehicle riders turn out in droves, using it as a wet, sandy highway through the wilderness.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

AG office seeks to head off challenges

Environmental permits challenges are being held up by questioning legal standing, getting tied up in details

May 23, 2008 -- Attorney General Thurber E. Baker and his staff have altered how they defend legal challenges to state environmental permits, according to private attorneys, focusing on small procedural issues instead of debating the merits of the cases. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.swtlaw.com

Lawyers debate marsh permit

Environmentalists sue to protect land from development

May 20, 2008 -- State officials charged with protecting Georgia's fragile coastal marshlands erred in approving a permit for a waterfront project in Camden County, lawyers for a coalition of environmental groups told the state Supreme Court on Monday. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Marina dispute before GA court could affect coastal growth

May 18, 2008 -- A legal fight over whether the law protecting Georgia marshlands can extend to residential developments on dry land is headed to the state Supreme Court, which could set a precedent imposing tougher standards on construction near salt marshes along Georgia's 100-mile coast. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.accessnorthga.com

Effort to knock out invasive flathead catfish species resumes in Satilla River

April 28, 2008 -- Last year's efforts to eradicate the unwelcome, invasive flathead catfish from the Satilla River resulted in the removal of exactly 4,399 of the fish.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.coastalcourier.com

Satilla, Altamaha Flowing once more

Normal winter flooding is natural and healthy, a riverkeeper reports

March 22, 2008 -- Despite dire predictions of a dry winter, water has flowed at a high level through Southeast Georgia's rivers. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Satilla's flatheads are on the way out

DNR has a lot of big catches, but the invaders aren't keepers

March 09, 2008 -- The Georgia Department of Natural Resources declared war on flathead catfish in the Satilla River in 2007. The war isn't over but the body count is impressive. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Oyster Reef Restoration and the Riverkeeper

February 2008 -- The Jekyll Island Club Hotel is pleased to present two of the area's most dedicated naturalists, Ashby Nix of the University of Georgia Extension Service and Gordon Rogers with the Satilla Riverkeeper. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www. jekyllclub.com

Georgia Supreme Court to weigh in on Marsh Act

January 09, 2008 -- Cumberland Harbor, a luxury development, sites about three miles from downtown St. Mary's. The permit for its marina complex, potentially the largest in the state, is being challenged. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.savannahnow.com

South Georgia's aquifers keep region out of crisis

December 02, 2007 -- As north Georgia dries out with its residents under a complete water ban, some parts of the state face less stringent restrictions. To read more of this story, click on the following link
chronicle.augusta.com

Board ponders private-property rights

The state Natural Resources panel wants it as of its mission statement

November 29, 2007 -- The latest fight over property rights to come before the Board of Natural Resources goes right to the heart of the panel's mission. Literally.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Geographically, Kingsland No. 7 in Georgia

The annexation of about 15,000 acres still must be OK'd by federal authorities

November 15, 2007 -- Kingsland became Georgias seventh-largest city Tuesday when council members approved the annexation and rezoning of nearly 15,000 acres. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

4-wheeled nightmare

All-terrain vehicles tax the Satilla-and are getting on residents nerves

September 30, 2007 -- Free-range four-wheelers are wreaking havoc along the Satilla River. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Interview with Gordon Rogers, Satilla Riverkeeper, Georgia Water Plan

September 06, 2007 -- If you haven't heard of the Georgia Water Plan, listen up!
This is going to be a big deal before the end of the 2008 legislative session and it could impact your future and the future of the state. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.whatisgoinon.com

Join in Saturday to help clean up Satilla

Volunteers are needed; a cookout will take place later

September 05, 2007 -- Volunteers are invited to gather at 8 a.m. Saturday at the U.S. 82 bridge at Atkinson to participate in the Rivers Alive-Satilla River cleanup.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Open letters sent to "The Big Three"!

September 04, 2007 -- Letter to Home Depot. To read the letter, click on the following link
saveourcypress.org

Greenroom: September 2007

September 2007 -- The Altamaha and Satilla Riverkeepers won a legal victory in July when State Administrative Law Judge John Gatto ruled that developer Robert M. Torras Sr. repeatedly disturbed a buffer and failed to stabilize the two-acre Brunswick Landing Marina on Aiken Island. To read more of this story, click the following link
www.georgiatrend.com

Georgia's precious black waters turn green

Fall 07 -- Georgia is home to hundreds of miles of black water streams. These unique stream systems start in cypress and gum (tupelo) swamps and low-lying areas and get their names from the dark-tea colored waters. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.switchstudio.com

Environmentalists win lawsuit

July 13, 2007 -- Two environmental organizations won a landmark lawsuit against a state agency. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.coastalcourier.com

A Win for Georgia's Coast

July 10, 2007 -- The Georgia Environmental Protection Devision (EPD) failed to protect the marsh by improperly granting a buffer variance to a Brunswick developer. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.georgiasbarrierislands.travel

Clean Air News

Proposed mercury rules don't go far enough to protect public health

May 24, 2007 -- Public health, environmental, and river protection groups are urging Georgians to speak out against proposed mercury pollution rules that are significally weaker than those originally proposed by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD). To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.environmentgeorgia.org

Up in Smoke

While Georgia's forests burn, the legislature purges environmentalists

May 21, 2007 -- The state of Georgia's own policies-or lack of policies-may be partially to blame for the past month's destruction of a quarter-million acres by wildfires in the Southeastern part of the state. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.sundaypaper.com

Biologists Remove Catfish from GA river

May 14, 2007 -- State biologists hope electric shock can help them remove a voracious, non-native catfish from a south Georgia river where it is devouring native fish. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.foxnews.com

Voracious Catfish will be stunned and then removed from Satilla River

May 13, 2007 -- The survival rate of flathead catfish, especially in the Satilla River is heading down. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources has launched an all-out-war - one that is more shock than -awe on the non-native invasive species.
To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.flmnh.ufl.edu

DNR ousters have critics worried

3 of the most pro-environment board members lost seats

May 07, 2007 -- The ouster of three of the most pro-environment members of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources board has critics concerned that the department's mission of safe guarding the state's rivers, streams and estuaries will be compromises. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Riverkeeper, industry spar on cypress mulch

The dispute is on whether it hurts wetlands

May 06, 2007 -- Insect-and rot-resistant, chipped cypress is a popular landscape mulch. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www. jacksonville.com

Board ok's new rules on marshes

Environmentalists say the 50-foot building limit weakens the DNR

March 01, 2007 -- Some construction along side the state's coastal marshes would be pushed back 50 feet from the fragile ecosystems under rules approved by the Board of Natural Resources. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Lawmaker introduces bill on marsh buffers

The new 50-foot standard would affect private property

February 08, 2007 -- Development within 50 feet of coastal marshes would be barred under legislation proposed on Wednesday by an Atlanta-are lawmaker. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Committee moves on new rule for marshland

Critics say the policy would weaken laws that protect the marshes

December 07, 2006 -- Over the objections of environmental groups, the state Department of Natural Resources pushed forward this week with new rules that opponents say would weaken a 36-year-old state law protecting coastal marshlands. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

State allots $200,000 to fight flathead catfish

Fish killing native Satilla River species

May 16, 2006 -- There is bad news for the voracious flathead catfish in this year's Georgia budget. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

County's Growth: Camden plans to operate waste

The proposal is meant to centralize water and sewer service as the county grows.

March 12, 2006 -- Camden County's ongoing housing boom has elected officials considering getting into the water and sewer business. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.jacksonville.com

Brantley Worries River Watchdog

FEBRUARY 8, 2006 -- Satilla RIVERKEEPER® Gordon Rogers tells the Georgia Times-Union about Brantley County development standards, erosion and road-maintenance issues, and how those factors are effecting the Satilla and the surrounding watershed. To read the story, click on the following link for www.jacksonville.com

Protecting Natural and Scenic Lands in the Camden County Area

February 02, 2006 -- The Camden County Land Trust, Incorporated is an all-volunteer non-profit organization that works to preserve natural areas, scenic lands, and historic and archaeological sites in the Camden County are. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.camdencountylandtrust.org/

No Takers on Logging Program

Thus far, there have been no takers at the price set by the state to harvest logs.

Jan. 25, 2006

By Dave Williams, Albany Herald

ATLANTA — A new program allowing loggers to harvest vintage lumber from the bottoms of the Flint and Altamaha rivers has gotten some nibbles but no bites, a Department of Natural Resources administrator said Tuesday. To read more of the story, click on the link for Albany Herald.

Marina projects a battleground over whales

Activists fear for endangered northern rights, of which only 300 are left

January 18, 2006 -- The rare northern right whale thrashed the water with its wounded tail, bleeding into the ocean from a long gash inflicted by a 43-foot yacht. To read more of this story, click on the following link
www.msnbc.msn.com

Athens businessman, partner donate land

Jan. 8, 2006

Athens businessman Paul Martin and real estate entrepreneur Joe McDonough of St. Simons Island recently gave nearly 800 acres of coastal land and marsh property in Camden County to the Georgia Land Trust.

Valued at more than $2 million, the deeded undeveloped parcels represent "preservation of significant natural, scenic aesthetic wildlife and open space, which provide considerable ecological and environmental habitat benefits," McDonough said.

The Camden County properties include a 3.1-acre island south of St. Simons; one-half-acre island in the Little Satilla River; 725 acres of saltwater marsh fronting the Little Satilla River, and a 54.66-acre conservation easement adjoining the eastern boundary line of Sanctuary Cover at St. Andrews Sound.

Published in the Athens Banner-Herald.

Earlier articles:

Judge rejects permit for large coastal development near Cumberland Island/Winter 2006, Georgia River Network Confluence

Environment/Cumberland Harbour project has problems Development is harmful (Guest column/response published in The Brunswick News, Jan. 6, 2006)