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Camden County rivers in trouble
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| TWO SECTIONS OF the St. Marys River and one section of the Satilla River (above) are under surveillance by a team of planners and scientists. The team is studying contamination and dissolved oxygen levels in order to identify the causes of these problems and develop solutions for them. (Special to the Tribune & Georgian) |
By Emily Goodson
Parts of the St. Marys and Satilla rivers are in trouble. Fecal contamination and low oxygen levels have made sections of the rivers unlivable for fish and other animals. The sections also do not meet the standards set by the Clean Water Act of 1977.
Now, scientists and planners are working on a Total Maximum Daily Load plan to identify the causes of these problems and to offer solutions.
Gordon Rogers, executive director of Satilla Riverkeeper, said the problems being found in the rivers are not limited to Camden County.
"It's a watershed-wide problem," he said. "We intend to clean up the river."
The river sections being studied are Horsepen Creek off the St. Marys River and the section of the same river from Catfish Creek to Millers Branch. The Satilla River is being studied west of Woodbine from Rose Creek to White Oak Creek.
The problems originate from a set of conditions that combine to spell trouble for the rivers, which are popular fishing and boating sites in southeast Georgia.
Those conditions are created when marshes and cypress swamps are drained to make room for new construction along the river. Untouched swamps feed the river with a slow, steady flow of naturally filtered water that eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
However, once those marshes and swamps are drained and a development is put into place, the stormwater runoff coming from streets and rooftops moves quickly through those areas, resulting in a rush of unfiltered water during rainy seasons and little to no flow of water during dry ones.
The unpredictable flow and pollutant-laden water can mean severe habitat disturbance and even destruction for some plant and animal species, Rogers said.
"It quickly gets very complex," he said. "We're going to be looking at all of that in our work."
Property owners and other stakeholders can help the research team by identifying potential sources of contamination near the rivers like poorly managed farms and ranches, leaking septic tanks and wildlife, Rogers said.
Once the problems are identified, the team can develop solutions with the help of stakeholders and local governments, Rogers said.
"It's not a blame game," he said. "It's more of a legal and economic game than a blame game."
Tricia Reynolds, director of planning and government services for the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center, said the goal of the plan is to bring the targeted river sections back into compliance with the Clean Water Act.
In order to do that, Reynolds said, the research team needs the public's support.
"We want to engage property owners and stakeholders along those bodies of water," she said. "It's a collective effort. Each one contributes in his own way."
Keeping the public involved will ensure that the solutions work in the day-to-day lives of those they affect, Rogers said.
"They're truly a stakeholder and deserve to be a part of it," he said.
For more information on the Total Maximum Daily Load project, visit www.coastalgeorgiardc.org.
Now, scientists and planners are working on a Total Maximum Daily Load plan to identify the causes of these problems and to offer solutions.
Gordon Rogers, executive director of Satilla Riverkeeper, said the problems being found in the rivers are not limited to Camden County.
"It's a watershed-wide problem," he said. "We intend to clean up the river."
The river sections being studied are Horsepen Creek off the St. Marys River and the section of the same river from Catfish Creek to Millers Branch. The Satilla River is being studied west of Woodbine from Rose Creek to White Oak Creek.
The problems originate from a set of conditions that combine to spell trouble for the rivers, which are popular fishing and boating sites in southeast Georgia.
Those conditions are created when marshes and cypress swamps are drained to make room for new construction along the river. Untouched swamps feed the river with a slow, steady flow of naturally filtered water that eventually reaches the Atlantic Ocean.
However, once those marshes and swamps are drained and a development is put into place, the stormwater runoff coming from streets and rooftops moves quickly through those areas, resulting in a rush of unfiltered water during rainy seasons and little to no flow of water during dry ones.
The unpredictable flow and pollutant-laden water can mean severe habitat disturbance and even destruction for some plant and animal species, Rogers said.
"It quickly gets very complex," he said. "We're going to be looking at all of that in our work."
Property owners and other stakeholders can help the research team by identifying potential sources of contamination near the rivers like poorly managed farms and ranches, leaking septic tanks and wildlife, Rogers said.
Once the problems are identified, the team can develop solutions with the help of stakeholders and local governments, Rogers said.
"It's not a blame game," he said. "It's more of a legal and economic game than a blame game."
Tricia Reynolds, director of planning and government services for the Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center, said the goal of the plan is to bring the targeted river sections back into compliance with the Clean Water Act.
In order to do that, Reynolds said, the research team needs the public's support.
"We want to engage property owners and stakeholders along those bodies of water," she said. "It's a collective effort. Each one contributes in his own way."
Keeping the public involved will ensure that the solutions work in the day-to-day lives of those they affect, Rogers said.
"They're truly a stakeholder and deserve to be a part of it," he said.
For more information on the Total Maximum Daily Load project, visit www.coastalgeorgiardc.org.
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