Fauna: Platalea ajaja

Platalea ajaja
Roseate spoonbill

The roseate spoonbill is Coastal Georgia’s own flamingo. With its striking pink plumage, distinctive spoon-shaped bill, and graceful demeanor, this elegant bird stands out. Found in coastal marshes, swamps, and other shallow-water environments, they are considered medium-sized wading birds, standing about 2.5 to 3 feet tall with a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet.

Roseate Spoonbill. Darren Clark / Macaulay Library

The roseate spoonbill is a master of subtlety when it comes to its behavior and feeding habits. Somewhat like a pelican, it uses its bill as a specialized tool, and slowly wades through shallow waters. It sweeps its bill from side to side to sift through mud and silt in search of small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. This technique, known as “tactile foraging,” allows the spoonbill to thrive in its habitat, even in areas with murky or tidal waters. Like the flamingo, they get their pink color from the carotenoid pigments in their diet, primarily from crustaceans.

Roseate Spoonbill – Tammy Pick / Audubon Photography Awards

These birds are social creatures, often found in flocks with other wading birds like herons and egrets. They tend to nest in colonies with other birds as well. Their nests can be up to 16 feet high in trees in marshy areas. They lay between 1 to 5 eggs which will hatch in less than a month. The baby birds are white and won’t get their pink color until they start eating wild crustaceans.

Juvenile Roseate Spoonbill – James Rieman / Macaulay Library

By feeding on various aquatic organisms, spoonbills control the populations of various species, which balance the overall health of the ecosystem. Their foraging activities also contribute to the aeration of the water and sediment, promoting nutrient cycling and supporting plant growth.

STATEMENT: Settlement agreement reached between Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Savannah JDA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
01/06/2025
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

STATEMENT: Settlement agreement reached between Ogeechee Riverkeeper and Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority

On Friday, December 27, 2024, the Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) agreed to dismiss its challenge to the groundwater withdrawal permits issued to Bryan and Bulloch counties on October 7, 2024, after reaching a settlement agreement with the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority (“Savannah JDA”).

Pursuant to the terms of the agreement, the Savannah JDA agreed to facilitate a reduction in a long-term surface water or alternative water solution for the Bryan County Industrial Megasite and associated developments from 25 years to 15 years and to provide for additional water quality sampling from the permitted groundwater wells.

The Ogeechee Riverkeeper and the Savannah JDA remain committed to being responsible stewards of the region’s natural resources while ensuring industrial water needs are met to sustain southeast Georgia’s dynamic economic development climate.

“The Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority will continue to bring better opportunities to those that live in the Savannah region. This includes well-paying jobs and preserving the natural resources that make our region such a wonderful place to live,” said Trip Tollison, Savannah Economic Development Authority President and CEO and Savannah JDA Secretary/Treasurer.

“This Agreement demonstrates that environmental protection and smart growth are not mutually exclusive,” said ORK Executive Director and Riverkeeper Damon Mullis. “Indeed, this Agreement is a critical first step in ensuring safe and secure water supplies for people, agriculture and industry. Specifically, the shortened timeline and increased monitoring are important first steps in responsible management of our pristine aquifer and prioritizing drinking water and agricultural needs. ORK will continue to work with all regional stakeholders on responsible long range regional water planning.”

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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PDF of release

Winners of the 2024 Annual Photography Contest

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has chosen the best photographs from across the 5,500 square mile watershed submitted for the annual photography contest. Judges sorted through images that highlighted what makes the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers, and the surrounding areas, ecologically and aesthetically remarkable.

The 2024 winners are: 

Black and White: Timeless Tunnel, Paula Johns
Funny Wildlife: Ride On, Janet Anderson
Landscape: Sunrise on the Vernon, Wanda Turner
Wildlife: Afternoon Snack, Janet Anderson
Portrait: Sunset Paddle, Don Howe
Aerial: Foggy Daybreak, Sydney Warren
Honorable Mention: Morning Dew Dockside Web, Sydney Warren

2024 Annual Photography Contest

All winners and entries are available to view at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or via the Flickr album. ORK has permission from the photographers to share their work. Contact ORK for files to reprint or share in publications.

 

RELEASE: ORK files appeal of well permits

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/06/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER FILES APPEAL ON WELL PERMITS
EPD did not consider the ‘unreasonable adverse effects,’ appeal contends 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has filed an administrative appeal to Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) regarding groundwater withdrawal permits for Bryan and Bulloch Counties, intended to supply the Hyundai Megasite and other users. ORK asserts that the EPD’s conclusions regarding these permits are incorrect, particularly regarding the impact on the Floridan Aquifer, the effectiveness of protective measures, and consideration of ‘unreasonable adverse effects.’ The appeal will require an administrative hearing. 

The appeal maintains ORK’s position that Floridan aquifer groundwater should be used for people, animals, and crops – not industry. It is not in the public interest to prioritize large scale industry over living beings, yet in early 2025, public utilities in the area will have to reduce their withdrawal of pristine groundwater water for drinking and human use. Even with this deadline on the horizon, EPD is approving a permit for massive industrial withdrawals. This groundwater is too precious to be used for industrial processes.

This appeal will show that these issued permits do not protect water resources for citizens and are in direct contradiction to the general welfare and public interest. With all of the potential impacts – acknowledged by the need for a well mitigation fund – and the enormous public concern, EPD still chose to issue groundwater permits with loose margins. The issued permit gives 25 years for the users to find an alternative source of water. ORK maintains a quarter of a century is too long, especially when water usage and aquifer impacts are already being felt. EPD also chose to give an unnecessarily long permit length – 10 years – before a renewal is required, but provided no reasoning why the permits deserve that length of time.

EPD has a mandate to not issue permits that would cause ‘unreasonable adverse effects;’ however ORK doesn’t agree with EPD’s standard of up to a 30-foot water drop as ‘reasonable.’ Additionally, EPD does not explain why that level is acceptable in the coastal region. Furthermore, EPD notes that it is likely the Savannah area will experience a further drop of 1-3 feet, and the Hilton Head area will experience a further drop of up to 6 inches in their cones of depression, exacerbating the ongoing issue of aquifer protection and saltwater intrusion. Yet, by issuing these permits, EPD considers this stated scenario to be ‘reasonable.’ 

The public interest and general welfare will be further harmed by EPD’s deprioritization of restoring Floridan Aquifer-surface water connections in favor of industrial use. Before the creation and persistence of the area’s cone of depression, aquifer pressure fed artesian wells, springs, and other surface water connections. Those naturally occurring connections have been lost due to industrial overutilization of groundwater. Reduction of withdrawals would reconnect these aquatic resources, restoring critical habitat for threatened, endangered, and other constrained species, and improving water quality. The decision to grant these permits is a step in the opposite direction.

Finally, ORK argues that EPD did not conduct a critical evaluation of the volume of water that was requested in these permits. The upper limit of 6.625 million gallons of aquifer water per day (MGD) requires a close analysis of the specific proposed usage. The Megasite alone is listed as a user of approximately 4 MGD but was not required to provide any estimate or justification of need. While every other entity reports its expected ‘unit loading,’ i.e. its rate of water usage for each type of water user, the Megasite section simply states “N/A.” In a groundwater-constrained region, EPD approved these permits without the ability to critically review the requested need or make any necessary reductions in permitted amounts.

The appeal shows that EPD issued these permits without proper consideration of ‘unreasonable adverse effects’ and made decisions contrary to the public welfare.  

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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PDF of press release
PDF of appeal filing

RELEASE: Entries open for ORK annual photo contest

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
10/15/2024
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

ENTRIES OPEN FOR OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER ANNUAL PHOTO CONTEST
Multiple categories will put on a spotlight the beauty of the area

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) invites photographers to submit their best work for its annual photo contest, showcasing the stunning diversity of the 5,500 square mile Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers watershed. This year marks the contest’s fifth edition, highlighting the area’s rich ecological features and providing vital habitats for over 160 rare plant and animal species.

“We’ve been thrilled by the exceptional quality and diversity of previous submissions,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “The creativity shown has been genuinely inspiring. I think my personal favorite, though, is funny wildlife. Those always elicit a smile.”

Photographers can enter in several categories: Landscape, Portrait, Wildlife, Plant Life, Underwater, Aerial, Black and White, and Funny Wildlife. To qualify, all submitted images must be taken within the current calendar year. ORK encourages entries from all 21 counties within the watershed.

In an exciting development, ORK will be considering sponsorships this year. “Winners will receive a household membership and ORK merchandise, but as this is the fifth anniversary of the contest, we’re eager to partner with businesses to offer even more prizes,” Gerard added. Interested companies are encouraged to reach out to ORK.

2023 Annual Photography Contest

All submissions must be received by November 18, 2024, with winners announced in December 2024. For complete rules and submission guidelines, visit ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/annual-photography-contest.

About Ogeechee Riverkeeper: Ogeechee Riverkeeper 501(c)(3) works to protect, preserve, and improve the water quality of the Ogeechee River basin, which includes all of the streams flowing out to Ossabaw Sound and St. Catherine’s Sound. The Canoochee River is about 108 miles long and the Ogeechee River itself is approximately 245 miles long. The Ogeechee River system drains more than 5,500 square miles across 21 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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PDF of release