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president of the Georgia Conservancy, details a recent decision by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division that rescinded some of the protections of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970 and the Erosion and Sedimentation Act of 1975.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.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie