FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – January 3, 2005
CONTACT: Daniel Parshley, 912-466-0934 

Glynn Environmental Coalition Receives Grant for Water Monitoring Equipment 

   The Norcross Wildlife Foundation awarded a $1,700 grant to the Glynn Environmental Coalition (GEC) to purchase water monitoring equipment and a Global Positioning System (GPS) to record the sampling locations.  “We purchased two Dissolved Oxygen Meters to cover both freshwater and marine environments,” said Daniel Parshley, GEC Project Manager. 

   The YSI-550A Dissolved Oxygen Meter will be used primarily by Altamaha Riverkeeper to monitor the 14,000 square miles watershed from its headwaters to its terminus at the Atlantic coast, which include the Oconee, Ocmulgee, and Ohoopee Rivers.

   The YSI-85 Dissolved Oxygen Meter will be used in support of the ongoing study of Turtle River and the Pulp and Paper Mill’s waste water discharge and cooling water temperature.  “The meter does more than just measure dissolved oxygen; it also measures temperature and salinity,” said Parshley.   “In addition, we are collecting water samples that are being analyzed by a laboratory for color.”

   The Pulp and Paper Mill’s NPDES Permit (wastewater discharge permit) was appealed by the GEC and Altamaha Riverkeeper with the assistance of Georgia Center for Law in the Public Interest.  As part of the settlement, the Mill is conducting a one-year study of Turtle River.  “The Mill is conducting four sampling events over a one year period,” said Parshley.  “The GEC and Altamaha Riverkeeper are conducting sampling to supplement the Mill’s study.”

   “Both the GEC and Altamaha Riverkeeper receive reports of spills and septic conditions from our members,” said James Holland, Altamaha Riverkeeper.  “Quite often we arrive at a site prior to the EPD and we can use this new equipment to collect water quality in the event that water conditions at the site change before the EPD arrives.”

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