Category: Press Releases

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RELEASE: Entries open for ORK annual photo contest

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper October 15, 2024

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

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RELEASE: ORK to host oyster roast at Love’s Seafood

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper September 19, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
09/19/2024
Contact: Meaghan Walsh Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

OGEECHEE RIVERKEEPER HOSTS OYSTER ROAST AT LOVE’S SEAFOOD
The event features a silent auction, raffle, and plenty of fun

Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s (ORK) annual oyster roast has a new location this fall! Oysters for the Ogeechee will be held Wednesday, November 13, 6-9 p.m. at the Love’s Seafood and Steaks, on the banks of the Ogeechee River. A ticket includes all-you-can-eat freshly steamed oysters, plus chicken fingers and sides prepared by Love’s and beer from Service Brewing. 

Music will be provided by favorite outlaw country band, Damon & the Sh*tkickers. The riverside party will also include a fabulous silent auction and the return of the popular Mystery ORCA Cooler raffle prize package. Most importantly, it supports the crucial work of ORK. It will also act at ORK’s annual meeting by sharing updates from the past year and highlighting future priorities. 

“We are thrilled to bring our main annual event to the banks of the Ogeechee, and we are especially proud to be part of Love’s recovery from the flood,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director of ORK. “They are a local institution and are honored they agreed to host our event.” 

Event details and tickets: https://www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/events/oyster-roast-24/

Guests must be present to bid in the silent auction or win the raffle prize.

Corporate sponsorships offer perks all year long. Depending on the level of sponsorship, benefits can include tickets to the Oyster Roast. Current annual corporate sponsors of ORK are: Green Truck Pub, Southeastern Fine Properties, Queensborough National Bank and Trust, Stack and Associates, Claxton Chicken, and Academy Lock and Key. View levels and benefits here.

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

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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