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Brunswick, Georgia 31521
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Press Room

Press Releases Last Updated - 6-24-08
February 28, 2008 - Third Annual Lipscomb Science Fair Award Won by Hailey B. Wetzel	Hailey B. Wetzel, a 16-year-old 10th grader at Glynn Academy, became the third recipient of the annual Dr. William T. Lipscomb Science Fair Award this past Saturday at the award ceremonies at Coastal Georgia Community College.
January 4, 2008 - EPA Responds to Dr. Bull's Request to Test Altama Elementary	Instead of resolving the uncertainty caused by the previous erroneous testing for the pesticide toxaphene at the school, which did not report all the toxic chemicals present, the EPA has requested a meeting.
November 12, 2007 - Dr. Bull Supports Efforts to Test Altama Elementary - Community Waits for EPA Response	Glynn County Schools has joined the GEC, The Brunswick News, the Altama Elementary School PTA President, and others in requesting the EPA to follow the advice of the EPA Office of Inspector General and retest the school.
November 1, 2007 - Hercules Toxaphene Manufacturing Plant Cleanup Doubtful - Public Hearing November 8th	The GEC is questioning whether the proposed cleanup of toxic soil at the Hercules Plant will actually be a cleanup. The proposed plan appears to assure that the Toxaphene Plant area will be covered up rather than cleaned up.
July 10, 2007 - Erroneous Testing Leaves Doubts about Altama Elementary School Safety	The GEC is asking the Board of Education to join us in seeking correct testing for toxaphene at an elementary school lying next to the 009 Superfund Site.
March 28, 2007 - Out of Control BWP Superfund Site Unites Community for Action	Toxic water from a Superfund Site flooding neighborhoods is high on the list of concerns of residents near the defunct Brunswick Wood Preserving (BWP) site. They want answers from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at an upcoming April 5th meeting.
February 20, 2007 - Second Annual Lipscomb Award Won By Wicker J. Tuten	Wicker J. Tuten, an 8th grader at Glynn Middle School, became the second recipient of the Dr. William T. Lipscomb Science Fair Award.
April 21, 2006 - EPA Fights Efforts to Protect School Children from Toxic Air Pollution in Brunswick, Georgia	On March 16, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) removed from enforcement under the Clean Air Act the Georgia law, which protects children from toxic air that, "... is injurious or which unreasonably interferes with the enjoyment of life or use of property." The GEC responds.
February 27, 2006 - FIRST ANNUAL LIPSCOMB SCIENCE FAIR AWARD WON BY NATALIE DEMARKO	Natalie Demarko, a 9th grader at Brunswick High School, became the first recipient of the Dr. William T. Lipscomb Science Fair Award this past Saturday at the award ceremonies at Coastal Georgia Community College.
February 27, 2006 - GIBBS JOINS LOCAL CITIZENS IN PROTEST OF HERCULES POLLUTION	Fifteen people gathered outside of the Hercules Plant in Brunswick Saturday morning, Feb 25, to call for an end to "foot-dragging" and immediate clean-up of the 39 toxic sites on its property.
February 9, 2006 - LOIS GIBBS TO PRESENT FIRST ANNUAL LIPSCOMB SCIENCE FAIR AWARD	The award created by the GEC to honor our former Secretary will be presented Feb. 25 by Lois Gibbs, founder and director of the Center For Health, Environment & Justice.
January 26, 2006 - Environmental Leadership Conference to feature Lois Gibbs	Long-time environmental activist Lois Gibbs, who became famous in the late 1970's for her fight to rescue her Love Canal, NY, neighborhood from toxic contamination, is bringing the organizational expertise of her 24-year-old Center for Health, Environment and Justice (CHEJ), to southeast Georgia for an Environmental Leadership Conference at the Coastal Georgia Community College Conference Center on Saturday, Feb. 25, 2006. The event is being co-sponsored by the College and the Glynn Environmental Coalition (GEC).
December 23, 2005 - EPA Seeking Removal of Georgia Law Protecting Property and Health	Relying upon a two-sentence e-mail from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has decided to delete a decades-old Georgia law that protects citizens from the cumulative impact of air pollution from major polluters. If they get away with this, the GEC's air quality lawsuit will be mooted.
October 12, 2005 - EPA Inspector General Finds Appropriate Toxaphene Testing Need in Glynn County	The EPA Inspector General released his report on the Hercules 009 Landfill Superfund Site, and recommended appropriate testing for toxaphene. The report was prepared as a result of numerous inconsistencies with toxaphene containment the GEC identified.
September 29, 2005 - Superfund 25th Anniversary Report - Report Finds America’s Safety Net is Weakest When Needed Most	GEC calls on EPA to contain Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site. Government agency plays hide and seek with toxic information.
August 23, 2005 - GEC Announces New Officers and Board Members	A report on our June Annual Meeting.
May 3, 2005 - Seafood Safe Consumption Campaign Begins	Official launching of educational campaign concerning safe amounts and preparation of local seafood.
April 6, 2005 - Precautions Advised for Goodyear Elementary	Health Consultation recommends taking steps to protect certain workers until more study can be analyzed.
March 14, 2005 - Chemicals Entering Drinking Water Aquifer at LCP Chemicals Superfund Site	Attempts by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to get U.S. Environmental Protection Agency action to stop leakage of chemicals into the drinking water aquifer have not been successful.
January 3, 2005 - Glynn Environmental Coalition Receives Grant for Water Monitoring Equipment	The Norcross Wildlife Foundation awarded a $1,700 grant to the Glynn Environmental Coalition to purchase water monitoring equipment and a GPS to record sampling locations.
May 18, 2004 - Press Conference Arco Community Meeting about EPA sampling plan for LCP Chemicals Superfund Site Contamination	Eight years ago, the U.S. EPA promised the Arco community that they would test around their homes for chemicals from LCP Chemicals Superfund Site. Eight months ago, the EPA again promised to test , and recently released the draft sampling plan.
May 8, 2004 - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Continues to Disregard Clean Air Act	"The law is on the side of healthy air. Now, if we could only get the agencies responsible for regulating those laws on the side of healthy air.”
March 3, 2004 - Glynn Environmental Coalition and Center for a Sustainable Coast Sue the U.S. EPA Over Hercules Air Permit	"We have been more than patient with the EPA," said Daniel Parshley, with GEC. "We waited more than 10 extra months for a decision that should have been made back in March 2003."

Recent Newspaper Articles	Behind the Story

June 3, 2008 - Clean up of Superfund site progresses	The headline for this article should be 'exceeding expectations.' Everything is really moving along.
January 10, 2008 - Editorial - Federal agency should honor request School’s soil testing needs to be done now	No valid, comprehensive soil sampling and test has been done at Altama Elementary to date, not by the Environmental Protection Agency or anyone else.
January 8, 2008 - School soil test still a worry	If there is the least bit of doubt, Bobbi Gearhart hopes the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will re-test soil at Altama Elementary School for toxaphene, a carcinogen. As the mother of three and president of the school's Parent-Teacher Association, she feels no stone should be left unturned when it comes to determining if the health and safety of children are at risk.
December 26, 2007 - Focus on Golden Isles' hotspots	Brunswick and the Golden Isles have a number of environmental hazards, known as hotspots, which industries and government officials will work on cleaning up in 2008.
December 12, 2007 - Altama testing important	In the wake of chilling indifference to this problem by the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, our very own taxpayer-funded federal regulator of environmental dangers, we are heartened by your urgent message of community concern.
December 7, 2007 - EPA follow-up needed at elementary school	If there is any concern, even the slightest, tiniest bit, about what's in the soil at any school campus in this nation, then the federal government ought to do what it can and as fast as it can to put all suspicions or fears to rest.
November 24, 2007 - School's soil to be re-tested	Environmentalists and school officials are waiting to hear if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will re-test the soil at Altama Elementary School for toxaphene, a carcinogen

November 6, 2007 - Hercules proposing cleanup	A toxic chemical cleanup plan proposed by Hercules Inc. in Brunswick has environmentalists asking questions

July 17, 2007 - School Grounds Should Be Tested	A Brunswick News editorial agrees with the GEC

July 14, 2007 - Toxic Site Adjacent to School Still Issue	Altama Elementary School grounds need to be re-tested to assure the safety of our children.

April 13, 2007 - Group Denied County Funds	Glynn County turned down the GEC's request for money to continue the Seafood Consumption Awareness Project.

April 5, 2007 - Residents in Glynn want EPA to come clean	The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has some explaining to do about its plans for cleaning up the site of the former Brunswick Wood Preserving operation.

April 4, 2007 - Residents fretting over water quality	Neighbors of the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site hope that work to contain the pollution emanating from the Site is finally about to begin.

April 3, 2007 - Out of Control Superfund Site Unites Community for Action	Residents, the Development Authority, and our Congressman all agree that the EPA needs to act to protect citizens from the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site.

February 23, 2007 - Glynn Middle Schooler Wins Lipscomb Award	Second annual Lipscomb Science Fair Award presented by GEC to 8th grader Wicker J. Tuten

January 27, 2007 - Watchdogs have their eyes on marsh	So-called development in coastal GA will result in ecological disaster and increased flooding

September 13, 2006 - Activist cites water worry	Contamination at the LCP Superfund site threatens the Miocene aquifer, and it's getting worse

August 28, 2006 - Sholan Asphalt Plant Air Permit Application Draws Public Fire	A report on the public hearing held August 24th

August 22, 2006 - Proposed Asphalt Plant Drawing Concern	If the Georgia Environmental Protection Division decides to grant a permit to Sholan Asphalt, Glynn County will have two asphalt plants right next to each other - and within close proximity to three schools.

August 14, 2006 - BOE Silent on Asphalt Plant	Although it objected the first time an asphalt plant was permitted near two of its schools, this time the Glynn Board of Education is unmoved.

July 26, 2006 - Asphalt Plans Rocking Up Fears	A second asphalt plant is planned on Whitlock Street. How much can neighbors & children in nearby schools take?

July 18, 2006 - Public Transit Could Roll	There's a proposal for another try at local public transit. GEC member supports it as environmentally friendly.

July 5, 2006 - Big Dig Set For Gas Site	Groundwater at the GA Power - Atlanta Gas Light site is still contaminated, so a new clean-up is planned.

July 3, 2006 - Asphalt Plant Issues	GEC summary of problems with proposed permitting of a second asphalt plant on Whitlock Street.

June 3, 2006 - Mysterious Waters	High levels of bacteria result in near-constant advisories against swimming at our beaches, but there is no agreement about the cause.

May 6, 2006 - Causes that are as basic (and dry) as dirt	A synopsis of several local environmental organizations and the work they do, including GEC.

February 2006 - Environmentalist Lois Gibbs to Present First Annual Lipscomb Science Fair Award	Lois Gibbs will present an award at the Science Fair honoring Dr. William Lipscomb, former GEC Secretary.

February 2006 - CGCC and Glynn Environmental Coalition Co-Sponsor Environmental Leadership Conference with Lois Gibbs	This is the promo article in the College paper about the Gibbs Leadership event

January 17, 2006 - EPA Seeking Removal of Georgia Law Protecting Property and Health	Rather than go to court over its refusal to help the GEC get the GA-EPD to enforce the rule in Georgia's clean air plan which requires consideration of cumulative effects of all air pollution sources, the EPA wants to strike that part of the plan!

November 10, 2005 - Pollution Threatens Dolphins	People, of course, are not the only victims of industrial contamination.

November 10, 2005 - Deaths of Fish in Arco Waters Still a Mystery	Still no agreement as to cause of the fish kill, but there is agreement that fecal coliform levels were too high.

October 26, 2005 - Arco fish deaths draw more questions	Evidence mounts that a sewage spill is the cause.

October 19, 2005 - Toxaphene tests futile	The GEC has been right along. The EPA Inspector General concurs that local testing for toxaphene was flawed. Retesting urged for Superfund sites, neighboring areas.

October 12, 2005 - Tainted Site Riles Nearby Residents	Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site is still a threat, but is not being cleaned up.

October 12, 2005 - Death of Arco Fish Stirs Pollution Worry	Natural causes or pollution? EPD thinks one thing. GEC suspects another.

October 11, 2005 - Water Under Review: Flooding May Have Tainted Residents' Wells	The EPA had claimed that the Brunswick Wood Preserving site posed no public health threat (see July 30, 2005 article below), but flooding has sent water from there into an adjoining neighborhood..

September 24 - Festival honors coast	GEC offers music for CoastFest

August 9, 2005 - Goodyear soil is safe	After years of our working on this, State officials say the grounds around Goodyear Elementary School no longer pose a health hazard to students and school employees. Another GEC victory!
August 9, 2005 - School's dirt gets passing grades


July 30, 2005 - EPA says health risk gone at BWP site	EPA continues to try to avoid cleaning up our community by falsely claiming there is no threat to public health! Events will prove them wrong.

July 28, 2005 - Brunswick schoolyard cleanup done	Glynn County School System has completed removal of contamination from Goodyear Elementary School.

July 26, 2005 - Glynn to get update on cleanup of schoolyard	Contaminated soil at Goodyear Elementary expected to be gone in time for new school year

July 2, 2005 - WATER WOES	Saltwater intrusion threatens Glynn County's water supply.

June 30, 2005 - Glynn schedules schoolyard cleanup	Removal of tainted soil begins next week

June 29, 2005 - Contaminated soil found at Goodyear	It's official: Some soil at Goodyear Elementary School is potentially unsafe and has to go.

June 25, 2005 - Tests find property in Arco not risky	EPA claims testing shows little public health risk in Arco neighborhood.

June 24, 2005 - Arco Children Get Free Testing	Children are at the highest risk from lead poisoning, so free testing is available for those who live in Arco.

June 24, 2005 - Arco Test Eases Concerns	Soil sampling indicates only one "hot spot". Was the sampling sufficient?

June 22, 2005 - Study finds lead in Arco	A federal health agency has found elevated traces of lead in the Arco community and is recommending that preschool-aged children be tested for poisoning.

June 16, 2005 - Elementary soil faces toxin testing	Goodyear's latest examination to cost $75,000, will begin next week

June 9, 2005 - Glynn, feds disagree about ditching pests	Glynn County wants to re-ditch. Feds say the permit is old. GEC says there needs to be a real plan.

May 17, 2005 - Seafood may be good for you but a local educational campaign is addressing more about eating fish	Our Seafood Safe Consumption Campaign continues to receive good media coverage.

May 9, 2005 - Safe Seafood Campaign Launched in Glynn	GEC announces the Seafood Safe Consumption Campaign, designed to educate local fishers about where seafood consumption advisories exist and how often and best to prepare and eat the various types of fish caught there.

May 6, 2005 - Fish Risks Will Linger	It will be at least a decade before any significant decrease is seen in levels of toxins.

May 5, 2005 - Fish Pose Risks	Contamination of certain areas of Glynn County waters means consumption of fish from those areas must be limited and done carefully.

April 30, 2005 - Mosquito Wars	Glynn County is struggling to develop a plan for controlling mosquitos. Do we stick with the traditional ditching or try an integrated pest management approach?

April 16, 2005 - Tainted Soil Worries School	As a result of a Health Consultation declaring Goodyear Elementary School an "Indeterminate Public Health Hazard" due to soil contamination, children are prohibited from going onto the playground.

April 5, 2005 - DANGEROUS CHEMICALS ENTERING DRINKING WATER AT LCP CHEMICAL SUPERFUND SITE	Despite requests from GA-EPD to act expeditiously, the EPA is dragging its feet on cleanup of LCP groundwater contamination, even as drinking water aquifers are being contaminated.

March 10, 2005 - Water Concerns Pouring In	GEC alerts the public to the threat of LCP's caustic brine pool to drinking water aquifers

Dec. 7, 2004 - Dead Ships Skip Isles. Brunswick site out of running for yard salvage	Plan for using old LCP docks for mothballing Navy support ships is itself scrapped.

November 12, 2004 - Asphalt plant may find new home. Developers looking to move proposed plant away from homes, clashes	Reynolds Construction Company, looking for an acceptable location for an asphalt plant, is considering the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund site.

November 5, 2004 - Arco Undergoes Soil Testing	The Environmental Protection Agency concluded an initial round of soil sampling in the Arco neighborhood in an attempt to find what contamination in the area came from an old LCP Chemicals plant.

July 27, 2004 - School Site Put On Hold. Board wants to see options before acting on Habersham	After spending more than $250,000 in preparation for building an elementary school in Brunswick, the Glynn County Board of Education voted Monday to call a time-out on the project.

June 19, 2004 - Chemical Clean Up. Industrial sites look to clean up their acts	Brief synopsis of the four Superfund sites in Glynn County.

March 17, 2004 - Environmentalists question G-8 motives	Groups gather to discuss ties of international meetings and Glynn environment.

March 8, 2004 - Emissions Prompt Lawsuit	The Glynn Environmental Coalition is filing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency after the agency ignored complaints about toxic emissions at a Brunswick plant operated by Hercules Inc.

February 22, 2004 - Church finds a mission in front yard Brunswick congregation adapts emphasis toward helping poor residents of former industrial area	The EPA has yet to fulfill their 1996 promise to test the Arco neighborhood. Meanwhile, banks refuse to make loans in the area due to the uncertainty about contamination from the LCP Chemicals Superfund Site

February 11, 2004 - Proposed Glynn school site tests negative for chemicals Brunswick location once was used as a "common trash dump."	Chemicals on the proposed school site will result in listing as a toxic waste site, if not removed within 30 days. Georgia Environmental Protection Division communications speculate that the chemicals are from the LCP Chemicals Superfund Site.

February 3, 2004 - Groups sue EPA to block permit They say existing air pollution in Brunswick was not considered	Our 15 year struggle for clean air, and EPA refusal to even respond has led to us filing in federal court.

October 1, 2003 - EPA tests to monitor private well water for contaminants	Until recently, the EPA illegally used residential drinking water wells to monitor for movement of chemicals from the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site.

September 4, 2003 - EPA again urged to study cleanup site Agency promises thorough testing September 4, 2003 - Arco Danger is Unclear	Broken promises by the EPA led the GEC to getting all parties together to resolve potential health threats and property contamination that is keeping banks from making loans in the Arco area.

June 10, 2003 - Seafood must be eaten cautiously	One problem is allergies, but another is contaminants. This article describes some advisories.

May 14, 2003 - Water risks resurface Area's toxaphene levels in fish remain murky	There is not some giant conspiracy here", the EPA claims but the GEC disagrees. See How to Hide the Poison

December 6, 2002 -Air quality meeting causes a stink	After filing a 60 day notice of intent to suit, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued a permit that fails to protect the citizens of Brunswick.

April 30, 2002 - Unclean creek water strikes fear	EPA unresponsiveness worries residents near the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site.

November 1, 2002 - School sites safe - Study finds schools' soils low in toxins	Failure to follow-up (or a cover-up) on toxic chemicals found on schoolyards in 1996 led to the GEC testing 4 schools. One very toxic area was found, and the Health Department is completing a health assessment to be completed in 2004. (Note: came out 3/05)

January 31, 2001 - GEC Says Hercules Could Be Another LCP	The GEC bases its belief on the results of a U.S. EPA investigation detailing areas of concern and non-compliance with environmental laws at the plant. "How could the Georgia Environmental Protection Division stand by while another plant is literally run into the ground?"

June 3, 2000 - The muck and the congressman	EPA warns not to eat vegetables from gardens and to keep kids out of Burnett Creek next to the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site. Cancer warning from Health Department.

May 15, 2000 - For nearby residents, little is 'super' about polluted site	The continued hemorrhage of chemicals from the Brunswick Wood Preserving Superfund Site concerns residents.

For interviews, visuals, or additional materials, contact the GEC at (912) 466-0934