Category: Blog Post

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ADVISORY: Concerns about bacteria or waterborne illnesses

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper September 6, 2024

MEDIA ADVISORY
09/09/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

ADVISORY: Concerns about bacteria or waterborne illnesses

Hurricane Debby caused the Ogeechee River and tributaries to flood a number of nearby areas. The extreme amount of water washed over streets, yards, and cars. It damaged homes and buildings. It overwhelmed septic systems and stormwater pump stations. As the water receded, it took the residue of all it touched with it. Oil and gasoline, debris, untreated wastewater, and fertilizer, for example, all washed into the river and eventually out to the ocean. 

We have had a number of inquiries about the safety of swimming in the river or the sounds, or eating the seafood from those areas. Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) does not issue “swim” advisories but shares the information of those that conduct those tests and maintains that data. ORK recommends the public follow the guidelines provided by the leading agencies. ORK is not an emergency response organization or a public health authority.

ORK does water quality monitoring in various locations throughout the watershed, and tracks the levels of dissolved oxygen (DO), pH, conductivity, and certain bacteria, which can be indicators. If something is abnormal, it is reported to the proper agency. ORK will continue to test and follow up on those reports to see if the issue has been resolved.

Recent Enterococcus tests by GA DNR Coastal Resources Division:

August 20, 2024: Ossabaw North was 44 CFU/100 mL
August 20, 2024:  Ossabaw South was 2 CFU/100 mL
Sept 2, 2024: Skidaway was 37 CFU/100 mL

Each of these sampling sites came in with results in the acceptable bacterial level, below 70 colony forming units per 100 mL of water.

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PDF – Advisory_ Concerns about bacteria or illnesses

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RELEASE: ORK secures reevaluation of Megasite permits

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 24, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08/24/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

ORK SECURES REEVALUATION OF MEGASITE PERMITS
USACE: Reevaluation of permit is “warranted”

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) received a letter from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) confirming that a “reevaluation of its permit decision regarding its effects determination for water supplies is warranted.” ORK made this assertion in its letter of intent (LOI) to sue. ORK filed the LOI with the assertion that USACE overlooked water supply concerns during the permitting process of the Hyundai Megasite in June of 2024. 

These reevaluation letters from the USACE confirms ORK’s assessment of the permit and supporting documents. It also confirms that the human and environmental impacts from supplying water to the Megasite were not considered in the initial permitting decision, primarily due to the lack of information provided by the Savannah Harbor-Interstate 16 Corridor Joint Development Authority (JDA) in their application.

The reevaluation decision requests that JDA provide the USACE with an impact assessment of the Megasite’s water supply wells. JDA will need to show that the wells won’t have impacts on the Floridan Aquifer, those who rely on it, and the aquatic resources and environment. The assessment will also include “any groundwater and surface water modelling/data that has been collected.” USACE will then assess that report and determine if the permit needs to be adjusted. Depending on the findings, JDA may also be required to compensate for any resulting impacts.

“These considerations should have been taken into account from day one,” says Damon Mullis, riverkeeper and executive director of ORK, “but we are encouraged to see that the USACE will finally review these issues in full. Once all of the data is on the table, we urge the Corps to independently and vigorously vet and verify this information in its reevaluation, and to be transparent with the public during this reevaluation process.” ORK will also continue to carefully monitor the Corps’ reevaluation process.

“We are proud of our small organization,” added Ben Kirsch, ORK’s legal director. “This action is a response to our watchdog efforts and continued advocacy. Without our efforts, those impacts and effects might not have ever been in front of or considered by the Army Corps of Engineers. Importantly, it puts future applicants on notice that both ORK and the Corps will make sure every step of every project is fully considered and protective of our water resources.”

The reevaluation letters from USACE, ORK’s letter of intent to sue, permit applications, and all documents and data are publicly available at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/megasite.

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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23 AUG 2024_Corps Response to ORK re 9 Aug 24 meeting

23 AUG 2024_Reevaluation Letter to JDA

08.2024 – USACE reeval permit press release – PDF

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RELEASE: ORK to submit official comments to GA EPD on wells

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 8, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
08/08/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

ORK TO SUBMIT OFFICIAL COMMENTS TO GA EPD ON WELLS
Draft permits do not address known concerns and issues 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK), a nonprofit focused on preserving water quality in the Ogeechee River basin, plans to submit comments to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) regarding draft groundwater withdrawal permits for Bryan and Bulloch Counties, intended to supply the Hyundai Megasite and other users. ORK is concerned that the EPD’s review of these permits is inadequate, particularly regarding the impact on the Floridan Aquifer, the effectiveness of conservation measures, and the management of the Well Mitigation Fund.

Key concerns include:

Impact on Aquifer and Rivers: ORK questions the EPD’s assumptions about the lack of hydraulic connection between the Floridan Aquifer and local rivers and springs. Reductions in aquifer levels could negatively affect the Ogeechee and Savannah Rivers and tributaries, as well as endangered species like the Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon.

Conservation Measures: The draft permits lack substantive water conservation plans, relying instead on promises of future actions. ORK urges the EPD to require detailed, actionable conservation measures before issuing permits.

Mitigation Fund: ORK insists the plans for the Well Mitigation Fund need detailed, effective mechanisms for addressing adverse impacts on local wells and water users. There is also a need for stronger enforcement provisions and clear definitions of terms related to impacts.

Transition to Alternative Sources: ORK argues that the proposed 25-year timeline for transitioning to alternative water sources is too long and suggests a shorter, more urgent timeline similar to successful projects elsewhere.

Overall, ORK requests that the EPD deny the permit applications until these issues are resolved, ensuring that all potential impacts are thoroughly reviewed and mitigated.

The public are encouraged to submit their own comments to EPDComments @dnr.ga.gov by Tuesday, August 20.

A copy of ORK’s full comment letter will be available after August 20, 2024.

Not sure how to start on a comment letter? Use this guide or use this email form.

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

Blog Post , ,

Flora: Rhexia aristosa Britton

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper August 6, 2024

Rhexia aristosa Britton
Awned meadow beauty

Rhexia aristosa by Bruce A. Sorrie. via GA Biodiversity Portal

Rhexia aristosa Britton, a stunning flowering plant with its delicate petals and vibrant hues. In the southeast t is commonly known as Awned Meadow Beauty, although it has numerous common names throughout its range. It is a member of the Melastomataceae family, and native to the southeastern United States.

This perennial herbaceous plant is noted for its striking flowers, which range from lavender to bright magenta, and which bloom from late spring to early autumn, in wetlands, meadows, and open woodlands. It often reaches 24-28 inches tall.

It thrives in the wetlands, meadows, and open woodlands that line the banks of the Ogeechee River and its tributaries. The plant’s preference for moist, sandy soils makes it particularly well-suited to the riparian habitats found across the watershed.

Rhexia aristosa Britton Observation © Kyle Rossner via iNaturalist. Creative Commons License.

As a native species, Rhexia contributes to the richness and diversity of ecology within the watershed. Its nectar-rich flowers attract pollinators, while its foliage provides shelter and foraging opportunities for small mammals and birds. As both a food source and habitat, it plays a crucial role in the health of the ecosystem.

Although Bartram described a Rhexia species in his well-known Travels, that was likely the mariana subspecies. The Britton subspecies now found in the Ogeechee watershed appears to be first described by Britton in 1890 in the New Jersey Pinelands.

Rhexia specimen collected by Britton, in the archives at Kew, London. Digital Image © Board of Trustees, RBG Kew http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

Despite its ecological importance, Rhexia aristosa faces threats from habitat loss, habitat degradation, and invasive species. Wetland drainage, urban development, and agricultural expansion pose significant challenges to the survival of this species. It is extremely sensitive to changes in wetland boundaries and reduction in natural spring levels. According to Georgia DNR, “Documented from 30 sites, only 11 populations of Rhexia aristosa have been seen recently in Georgia, most on a single conservation area.” In Georgia, it is considered an imperiled species.

 

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RELEASE: ORK files report, gets Sun Hill Creek cleaned up

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper July 23, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
07/23/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

ORK FILES REPORT, GETS SUN HILL CREEK CLEANED UP
B-H Transfer in Sandersville allowed plastic pellets, soda ash into creek 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) conducted an investigation and entered a complaint with Georgia Environmental Protection Division (GA EPD) regarding plastic pellets found in the Sun Hill Creek, a tributary of the Ogeechee River, located in Sandersville, Washington County, Georgia. ORK found the source to be B-H Transfer on Waco Mill Road and filed the complaint on February 16. As of July 11, 2024, the cleanup has been completed, mitigation efforts are installed, and additional buffer planting is scheduled for autumn.

According to As You Sow, “plastic pellets are produced by petrochemical chemical companies and transported to plastic manufacturing facilities where they are melted down and shaped into a final product. … An estimated ten trillion plastic pellets are swept into waterways annually, adding to harmful levels of plastic pollution in the environment.”

Alongside ORK, GA EPD confirmed the presence and source of the plastic pellets. They also found evidence of soda ash washing into storm drains and into the creek. GA EPD subsequently required the B-H Transfer operation located on Sandersville Railroad Company yard to submit safety data sheets and provide a corrective action plan (CAP). 

At the March 25, 2024 enforcement conference, B-H Transfer requested and was granted an extension to submit their CAP until May. It was submitted to GA EPD on May 8, 2024, and it noted their efforts to remove plastic pellets from the creek and from neighboring parcels. In May 2024, GA EPD noted B-H Transfer installed screens at storm drains and verified a buffer restoration plan was in place.

According to the July 11, 2024 note, GA EPD stated: “300 gallons of plastic pellets had been recovered and 98% removed from downstream property and waterway. Twenty-one tons of spilled soda was also clean-up [sic] in the railcar loading area and sent to Wolf Creek Landfill. … An industrial stormwater permit application has been submitted for the site and should be issued soon. The stream buffer disturbance is being handled by the City of Sandersville Local Issuing Authority (LIA) for Erosion & Sedimentation Control for further compliance.”

ORK will continue to monitor the sites downstream to ensure compliance. 

A full report, images, and additional documents are available here: https://cts.gaepd.org/Public/ComplaintDetails/107816

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: 07.2024 – Plastic pellets Sandersville