BOE Silent on Asphalt Plant

After being told about a second potential asphalt plant that would be within a half mile of two public schools and one private school last week, the Glynn County Board of Education (BOE) chose not to make any comments.

Glynn County Environmental Coalition Executive Director Daniel Parshley addressed the boardl with his concerns about the asphalt plants during the ‘open’ portion of the BOE’s regular meeting on Tuesday, August 8.

“The Georgia EPD (Environmental Protection Division) has announced a second asphalt plant has requested an air permit for Whitlock St. in Brunswick,” explained Parshley, “If approved, this would put two asphalt plants within a half a mile of Brunswick High School, Jane Macon Middle School and Heritage Christian Academy (formerly Christian Renewal Academy).

“Locating a second asphalt plant next to our schools would be another significant setback to our efforts to provide a healthy learning environment for our children,” said Parshley.

Parshley said the Glynn County Commission objected to the first asphalt plant’s EPD air permit in 2003.

Parshley said the county objected because “The proximity of this plant to established residential neighborhoods and schools intensifies our (county commission) concerns about monitored and unmonitored toxic emissions from this plant, including formaldehyde, benzene and other chemicals and dust which could be injurious to the health of the surrounding residents and children attending schools in the area.

Parshley noted that officials from the Glynn County Community Development Department visited several asphalt plants in 2004 and noted in their report that blowing dust was a problem.

The report also identified “excessively loud noise as likely for any asphalt plants located on Whitlock St."

“Rail car shakers used to get stone out of the cars have been a chronic problem with asphalt plants located near residential areas,” said Parshley.

“How did this happen a second time when Glynn County objected to the EPD issuing the air permit for the first asphalt plant?,” asked Parshley.

Answering his question for the BOE, Parshiey said, “Glynn County agencies thought the EPD took nearby neighborhoods and schools into consideration when considering air permits. This is incorrect.”

“The EPD leaves land use decisions to the communities, and only considers if the air permit meets their permitting requirements,” explained Parshley.

“And Glynn County does not consider the location of established schools during the planning and approval process,” continued Parshley.  “I learned this from speaking to the chairmen of the Planning and Zoning Commission and the County Commission.

"Until Glynn County has a process to consider schools during the planning and approval process, it will be extremely difficult to maintain a good learning environment at our schools.  Meanwhile, facilities that are incompatible with schools and are potentially harmful to our children will continue to be located near our schools,” Parshley concluded.

The BOE has a policy of not responding to citizens who address them during the open portion of the meeting.  This occasion was no different.  The board did not ask Parshley any questions or respond in any way at any time during the meeting.  Nor did any member ask to put the issue on an agenda for a future meeting.