October 3, 2006

Liberty Harbor Meets with Coastal Environmental Organizations
 

   The uplands present several challenges.  The site has been used for a number of different industries, from Liberty ship building during World War II, to boilers, fabrication, warehouses, and paint formulation.  During the history of the site, massive cement structures were placed across the property, and other contaminants were released.

   Previously used industrial properties are commonly called "Brownfields".  The State has a Brownfields program to encourage the redevelopment of property with environmental challenges, into which the Liberty Harbor project has entered.  Being a Brownfield property gives several advantages to the developer in limiting liability and streamlining the cleanup process. 

For the section of the site currently under construction, a Compliance Status Report (site contamination investigation) and Corrective Action Plan (cleanup plan) have been completed and are currently under review by the GEC.

The second part of the Liberty Harbor project, the marina, received much more attention from the environmental organizations attending the meeting.  The marina will be very large by any standard.  In addition to environmental concerns, many questions were asked about how the marina would deal with the seas generated during storms in St. Simons Sound.

   The Liberty Harbor project is just getting underway and all the environmental studies, construction plans, and other details are still sketchy.  We will keep you informed as this very challenging Brownfields project moves forward.