Tag: hyundai

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RELEASE: GORA Request Reveals Hyundai Trucking Wastewater Offsite

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper March 6, 2025

03/06/25
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Meaghan Gerard
Communications and Administrative Director
meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

GORA REQUEST REVEALS HYUNDAI TRUCKING WASTEWATER OFFSITE
Wastewater created by industrial processes failed to meet pretreatment standards

Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) has been notified that wastewater created by the Hyundai Megasite’s industrial processes has been hauled away via tanker trucks since September 2024. Documents obtained through Georgia Open Records Act (GORA) requests reveal at least four months of trucking wastewater off-site.

The original plan – agreed to by the City of Savannah, Hyundai, JDA, and state and local regulators – was to send the industrial wastewater via miles of purpose-laid pipe to the City of Savannah’s wastewater treatment plant. This process quickly ceased when the wastewater did not meet the agreed-upon pretreatment standards needed for the City’s facilities to be able to effectively receive and safely treat it. The wastewater exceeded acceptable standards for pH, solids, and metals including copper and zinc. As a result, the City rejected further acceptance of the wastewater until it met standards. 

Additionally, Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) also became aware of a potential issue with Hyundai’s alternative approach. EPD sent a letter of concern, outlining potential issues with having this wastewater hauled away in tanker trucks, including the need for the wastewater to still meet the pretreatment standards at each individual public treatment facility within the State of Georgia. 

It is unclear where the trucks are taking the wastewater, what pretreatment standards those locations may require, and whether Hyundai can meet those standards or have received the necessary pretreatment permits. However, EPD did issue a Notice of Violation following its initial inquiries with Hyundai. 

Hyundai confirmed that its industrial wastewater was taken away by a number of third-party haulers. Hyundai has also since acknowledged that one hauler was taking the wastewater to a treatment plant that did not have the required permits for industrial wastewater. Hyundai said they ceased using that hauler when they learned of the issue.

Meanwhile, the City of Savannah and Hyundai corresponded on the problems and how to fix them. As of mid-February 2025, it is unclear if the City of Savannah’s pretreatment standards have been met by Hyundai or if the City has begun receiving the wastewater again.

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 20 counties in Georgia. More at ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.

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Download PDF of release

Download documents from GORA request (Batch 1)

Download additional documents from GORA request (Batch 2)

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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

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Public Meeting Groundwater Applications for Megasite

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper July 8, 2024

Bulloch County has submitted an application to EPD for two Floridan aquifer wells sited in Bulloch County, asking for up to 3.125 million gallons a day (mgd) on an annual average. Bryan County has submitted an application to EPD for two Floridan aquifer wells sited in Bulloch County, asking for up to 3.500 mgd on an annual average. The cumulative total of 6.625 mgd on an annual average will be used to provide water to the Bryan County Mega-Site and associated development.

The draft groundwater withdrawal permits have been released for public comments on EPD websites at https://epd.georgia.gov/water-withdrawal-permitting and https://epd.georgia.gov/watershed-protection-branch-public-announcements.

In addition to the meeting, stakeholders may choose to send written comments to EPD. Written comments may be sent to EPDComments@dnr.ga.gov or mailed to Environmental Protection Division, Watershed Protection Branch, Suite 1470A East Tower, 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr., Atlanta, GA 30334. The comment period closes on Tuesday, August 20. Please include the words “Groundwater Applications for Bryan County Mega-Site” in the subject line to help ensure that your comments will be forwarded to the correct staff.