Daily Archives: December 18, 2015

EPA stepped back, while opposition ramps up against Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

EPA stepped back, while opposition ramps up against Sabal Trail fracked methane pipeline

Hahira and Albany, Georgia, December 18, 2015— (PDF) Mysteriously contradicting a substantive October letter from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 in Atlanta, a different EPA branch last Friday sent a brief and sketchy letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers uncritically accepting what Sabal Trail’s attorney’s told it, even as multiple environmental and landowner organizations filed objections with the Corps and multiple state agencies against that invading natural gas pipeline.

“I smell a skunk,” said Frank Jackalone, senior organizing manager, Sierra Club of Florida.

Tim Carroll, Valdosta City Council member, said, “I don’t understand how EPA and FERC can say there will not be a negative impact on our environment, aquifer, streams and rivers. A number of experts testified and spoke up saying the likelihood is very high that there could be damage to the aquifer and the environment. Why would we want to allow this to happen, to run the risk of seriously degrading one of the best water resources in the world.,” Valdosta, Moultrie, and Albany, the three biggest cities along the pipeline path in Georgia, all passed resolutions against Sabal Trail, as did the counties of Terrell, Dougherty, Colquitt, Brooks, and Lowndes, in Georgia, and Hamilton and Suwannee Counties in Florida.

“The one government agency actually defending our drinking in the Floridan Aquifer and the many rivers in Georgia and Florida just stifled itself,” Continue reading →

Satilla River Water Trail in Brunswick News

WWALS is pleased to see our neighbors to the east following suit and working toward establishing a water trail like the Alapaha River Water Trail (ARWT). With time, the beautiful blackwater rivers of the coastal plains may become a paddling destination of choice for northern paddlers looking for a pleasant and scenic place to paddle in winter and for locals wishing to reconnect with their regional natural heritage.

-Bret Wagenhorst, WWALS board member

And don’t forget the logo contest for the Withlacoochee and Little River Water Trail (WLRWT), with prizes to be announced at the WLRWT workshop February 27th at VSU.

Gordon Jackson, Brunswick News, 10 Decewmber 2015, Support growing for Water trail along Satilla,

WOODBINE — Organizers believe a proposed 175-mile water trail on the Satilla River could help Southeast Georgia meet the growing demand for outdoor recreation activities.

The Satilla River Water Trail would stretch from Pierce County to Camden County, with public access points with boat launches and highway bridge crossings.

The Camden County Commission joined a long list of municipalities from Pierce, Ware, Brantley and Charlton counties to express support for creating a water trail. They hope to take advantage of the growing demand for outdoor recreation activities in the state. There are more than 1 million paddlers in Georgia, and more than $23 billion is spent Continue reading →