Glynn County Beach Nourishment

           
   On February 14, 2002, the Glynn County Board of Commissioners received a Shore Protection Act permit from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to "nourish" the beach on St. Simons Island.  This permit is valid through February, 2007. 

            In March, 2002, Residents United for Planning and Action (RUPA) filed an administrative appeal of the State's issuance of this permit.  Subsequent negotiations between RUPA, the DNR and Glynn County (who chose to become a party to the action) yielded an agreement between the parties.  This agreement dismissed the pending appeal, but reserved RUPA's ability to refile the appeal upon the State receiving notice from the County that it intended to begin construction of its shore line engineering project.

            With approximately $800,000.00 to fund a 2.1 million dollar project and over 80% percent of Glynn County voters opposing tax payer funding of beach nourishment (not to mention the guaranty of future litigation) one would easily perceive beach nourishment in our County to be a "dead issue". 

            Not so.  The current (2005-2006) state budget contains a million dollar appropriation for Glynn County for beach nourishment.  RUPA members have been alerted to this funding item and have been encouraged to contact their legislators to educate them on the wasteful nature of beach nourishment projects.  RUPA is anxiously waiting to see whether the funding remains in the budget or is allocated elsewhere. 

            As long as the Glynn County Board of Commissioners holds its shore protection permit and the Georgia General Assembly is willing to fund this unwanted and unnecessary project, the issue of beach nourishment will never die. 

Kim Gollin, Residents United for Planning and Action