PRESS RELEASE: Hancock County adopts ordinances to protect Ogeechee River, residents

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
11/22/21
Ogeechee Riverkeeper
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

Southern Environmental Law Center
Contact: Emily Driscoll, 404-521-9900
Director of Program Communications
edriscoll@selcga.org

HANCOCK COUNTY ADOPTS ORDINANCES TO PROTECT OGEECHEE RIVER, RESIDENTS
Update petitioned by Ogeechee Riverkeeper and drafted by Southern Environmental Law Center

Last week, the Hancock County Board of Commissioners amended its zoning ordinance to require some special use permit applicants to explain in detail how their proposal would impact the surrounding community and environment.

In March 2021 Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) helped organize a group of concerned citizens to prevent the development of a quarry in Hancock County. The site was along the banks of the Ogeechee River and immediately adjacent to a residential neighborhood. County commissioners ultimately denied the special use permit to the developers, but the process revealed just how vulnerable the county’s rural areas are to other damaging developments. 

ORK and Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) worked with local citizens and municipal officials to draft the amendments for Hancock County. The updates require the permit applicant to provide a community impact assessment that analyzes environmental conditions, water and air pollution, and truck traffic. Importantly, it also requires information on vulnerable populations, socioeconomic standards, public health data and protection, and other demographic data. The developer must now submit all of this information with their application. 

“These changes bring added transparency for the public and for county officials when considering a permit application,” says Damon Mullis, riverkeeper and executive director of ORK. “Both county residents and leaders need to know the true effects these proposals will have on their quality of life.” 

ORK opposed the quarry development due to its proximity to the Ogeechee River, and possible adverse effects on water quality, potential damage to the aquifer that locals use for drinking water, and likelihood of it becoming a pollution source.  While residents’ reasons varied, concerns included complications from silica dust, negative health effects to livestock, infrastructure damage, social and housing inequities, disturbance to local businesses and tourism industry, historic property damage, and more. 

Mullis added: “We appreciate the Hancock County commissioners for recognizing the need to make these improvements. We are confident that they will protect the community and our environment.”

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 22 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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ORK’s statement regarding the quarry defeat (March 2021)

Catfish and the Quarry – The Bitter Southerner (October 2021)

 

Riverfest

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) will host Riverfest at the Ogeechee River Mill, on the border of Warren and Hancock counties, on Saturday, April 15, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Outdoor events and activities on the grounds of the Riverview Farms and the Ogeechee River Mill will include:

Music, cornhole, rubber duck race, archery demonstration, tractor display, mule-drawn wagon rides, raffle and more! Guests are also welcome to paddle or fish but must bring their own equipment. The mill will have fresh ground cornmeal and a chance to ‘bag you own’.

Admission is FREE for Ogeechee Riverkeeper members, and for children 12 and under. Admission is $10 per person for all others. Tickets will only be sold at the door.

All proceeds from the event will support Ogeechee Riverkeeper’s efforts to protect, preserve, and improve water quality throughout the basin.

Food, drinks, and snacks from Mill Rock Missionary Baptist will be available for purchase throughout the day. A limited number of vendors will also be on site. Note: All sales will be CASH ONLY.

There is no reliable GPS, internet, or cellular service in this area. The event is rain or shine. Outside food and drink is not allowed. No alcohol is allowed on site.

Download a PDF of the Flyer



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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Ogeechee River protected from a quarry in Hancock Co.

STATEMENT: Wednesday, March 24, 2021, 6:30 P.M.

This evening the Hancock County Commission voted to deny the zoning permit application for a proposed quarry. The permit would have allowed Mayfield Natural Resources to open a gravel quarry in Hancock County which would have endangered the health of their community. 

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) opposed the quarry development due to its proximity to the Ogeechee River, and possible adverse effects on water quality, potential damage to the aquifer that locals use for drinking water, and likelihood of it becoming a pollution source. 

In addition, ORK has been working with local residents for the past four months to help citizens mount robust opposition. While residents’ reasons vary, concerns included complications from silica dust, negative health effects to livestock, infrastructure damage, social and housing inequities, disturbance to local businesses and tourism industry, historic property damage, and more. 

Thank you to Stack and Associates for representing the concerns of ORK and the citizens whose way of life would have been negatively impacted. Thank you to the commissioners for listening to the concerns of their constituents.

Thank you to everyone who helped get this across the finish line. Whether you signed the petition, spoke to a neighbor, donated to the effort, or wrote a letter — it all matters. Your relentless efforts to protect the river and the watershed from dangerous development worked. 

You helped keep the Ogeechee River clean and safe.

In the News

WGXA-TV (Macon)

41NBC-TV (Macon)


A company called Mayfield Natural Resources, LLC, has applied for a special use permit to open a new gravel quarry in Hancock Co. Ogeechee Riverkeeper and the citizens in the area have a number of concerns regarding this proposed quarry.

Read ORK’s official Development of Regional Impact comments

Donate to the effort

The petition closed with more than 2,000 signatures

In summary:

  • This proposed quarry would pose an everlasting threat to the health of our basin, based on its proximity to Fulsome Creek and the Ogeechee River. Additionally, citizens in the area are reliant on groundwater for drinking.
  • Within a few miles of the proposed site are multiple small businesses in the agricultural and tourism industries that would be negatively impacted by quarry blasting and heavy equipment.
  • Mayfield Properties, a community of 50 low-income families and home to ~150 individuals, is located directly across from the proposed location.
  • The additional infrastructure expenses incurred by the county will add additional expenses and reduce property tax revenue due to depressed property values.
  • These types of quarries have a history of struggling to manage silica dust and sedimentation.
  • There is a lack of information on company’s experience and qualifications in operating gravel quarries.