Governor Purdue Dumps Dirt in Jackson Lake and Pleads Ignorance

Savannah Daily News
December 1, 2009

On October 3, when Jackson Lake residents Fonnette and Robert Harris saw someone dredging in the lake with a track hoe, they took their pontoon boat across the lake to investigate.

According to the Harris's they confronted the man standing on the dock next to the dredging and asked if he had permits for dredging, the man replied, "Ma'am, I don't know nothing about any permits."

Next the Harris's asked if Governor Perdue knew they were doing this work, the gentleman politely replied, "Ma'am I am the Governor."

Mrs. Harris said, "Governor don't you know you are violating many environmental regulations? "

The Governor replied "I don't know nothing about any environmental regulations."

At that time Ms Harris said "And you are the Governor of Georgia?"

Jackson Lake is on the Ocmulgee River and part of the Altamaha River Watershed. The Altamaha Riverkeeper James Holland (ARK) reported the incidence to the federal Environmental Protection Agency(E.P.A.). Holland says, "This problem requires investigation. It is illegal to dredge in Waters of the U.S. without first obtaining at minimum a Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 404 Permit. It is illegal to discharge a pollutant (dredge spoil) into the Waters of the U.S. without first obtaining a CWA Section 404 Permit to discharge pollutants (dredge spoil) into Waters of the U.S."

ARK talked to Molly Davis at EPA to who said, "Georgia Power is the permit holder for Jackson Lake and ultimately responsible for all actions on the lake. Georgia Power investigated the site and estimated that five cubic yards of dirt were dredged at the Governor's dock and discharged into the lake. After Thanksgiving when Georgia Power lowers the lake levels corrective action will be required of the Governor, he will have to properly remove and dispose of the dredged dirt to a proper confined upland disposal site."

Holland says, "The amount of dredged spoil and discharged illegally is not the question, the question is why Governor Perdue did not obtain any and all permits before dredging in waters of the U.S. as required by law. The Governor saying he did not know a permit was needed is not an acceptable excuse for the Chief Law Enforcement Officer for the State of Georgia. It is common knowledge, every county commission chairman in the state knows that you cannot dredge in U.S. waters without first obtaining Federal Permits, much less discharge the dredge spoil back into the same body of water it came from. We expect everyone to follow the law."

ARK asked Mrs. Harris how she felt knowing the governor will be required to take corrective action and she said "I will believe it when I see it."