Riverkeepers file 60-day notice to developers in Swainsboro

On Dec. 14, 2005, Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper (OCRK) and Altamaha Riverkeeper (ARK) sent a 60-day notice letter to local developers alleging violations of the Clean Water Act at the construction site in the front of the new Wal-Mart Super Center in downtown Swainsboro.

A 60-day notice letter is required by the Clean Water Act prior to filing a lawsuit. The letter outlines the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act and gives the defendants 60 days to correct the problems. The Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest represents OCRK and ARK in this matter.

Prior to filing the notice letter, field work conducted by OCRK and ARK staff documented numerous problems on the construction site. The local developers plan to pipe a small stream that runs through the middle of the site in order to place additional buildings where the stream and associated wetlands are located now.

"Even though this stream is small, it is very important since the stormwater from the City of Swainsboro runs into it after rainfall," said Deborah Sheppard, executive director of Altamaha Riverkeeper. "This small stream used to provide an important and free function for the people of Swainsboro by allowing the rainfall to slowly enter Crooked Creek and eventually the Ohoopee River, as well as providing fish habitat."

The violations alleged in the 60-day notice letter include:

• Failure to properly install and maintain erosion and sedimentation controls
• Destruction of the mandatory 25-foot vegetated buffer along the stream
• Illegal placement of fill material in wetlands

Currently, the Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest and attorneys for the developers are discussing possible resolution of the case.

"Unfortunately, our small waterways that protect downstream property from flooding, provide homes for fish, such as redfin pike, and wildlife, are rapidly being lost to careless development," said Chandra Brown, Riverkeeper and executive director of OgeecheeCanoochee Riverkeeper. "Throughout the Ogeechee and Altamaha River Basins, powerful insiders are trying to make a quick buck at the expense of our quality of life. If small streams that feed rivers are destroyed, how can we expect our rivers to be clean?"

The 60-day notice letter may be viewed at the website, www.ocrk.org.