Those concerned with protecting Georgia’s 387,000 acres of salt marshes (and the $2 billion they bring to Georgia’s coastal economy) won a major victory this month.
A guest column by John Shibley, former president of the Georgia Conservancy, details a recent decision by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that rescinded some of the protections of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970 and the Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975.
"One of the most effective practices for protecting our resources under the Act is the 25-foot buffer around waters of the state within which land-disturbing activities are restricted," explains Shibley.
"In April, however, Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division removed the requirement for a buffer in marsh conditions, and thus, "[the] EPD’s approach left hundreds of thousands of acres of Georgia marshes vulnerable to the contamination the [Erosion and Sedimentation] Act was adopted to prevent."
The Georgia Court of Appeals, however, came to the rescues of the buffer requirement, deciding that the requirement "protects all waters of the state, including marshes."
FULL STORY: Court of Appeals’ ruling protects Georgia’s marshes; let’s hope state leaders will do the same next year
Louisiana Approves Coastal Restoration Master Plan
The latest update to a state-mandated coastal protection and restoration plan calls for wetlands restoration and new levees to protect communities from flooding.
Manchin’s Permitting Bill, Supreme Court Case Could Dramatically Alter the Clean Water Act
The future of the Clean Water Act could look much different after fossil fuel interests and the Supreme Court done with it.
Baltimore Plans 'Floating Wetlands' to Revitalize Inner Harbor
The National Aquarium wants to recreate the tidal marshes that once lined the city's waterfront.
Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?
King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.
Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.
Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie