Our Legislative Priorities

HB 1338: Reasons for Concern

If passed, HB 1338 will:

1. Establish a three-year time period (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2027) during which the GeorgiaEnvironmental Protection Division (EPD) cannot accept applications for new permits for dragline surface mining for heavy mineral sands in areas where no prior surface mining permit has been previously obtained.
2. Severely restrict how much time judges have to consider citizen appeals of mining permits issued by EPD (after the 3-year moratorium).
3. Allow permit applications currently before EPD to be modified or amended.

This bill is extremely problematic for the following reasons:

Although the bill is intended to target surface mining next to the Okefenokee Swamp, the bill applies broadly to the entire state, placing undue burden statewide (affecting more than 1300 dragline operators throughout Georgia) to address a problem that is very specific to only one geographic area.

The bill does not affect Twin Pines’ “demonstration mine,” which Twin Pines could operate during the moratorium and after the moratorium ends, at which point the company could simply apply for their permit to operate the next, significantly larger phase of its operation.

Though proponents of the bill claim a moratorium will allow time for research, the bill contains no requirement that EPD (or anyone else) collect data concerning dragline surface mining, evaluate the effects of mining next to the Okefenokee Swamp, or review the Surface Mining Act to determine whether any changes need to be made in future permitting decisions on applications for surface mining next to the Okefenokee Swamp or anywhere else in the state.

HB 1338 shortens timelines for the judicial process by removing judges’ discretion to grant continuances and extensions in permit appeals. The provisions grant more power to corporations and less power to the people of Georgia and the Judicial Branch, which will likely result in harm to the Okefenokee Swamp and make it easier to get a mining permit than it is now.

Finally, HB 1338 is a distraction from HB 71, a bill that will protect the swamp by banning all future surface mining operations on Trail Ridge (with the exception of the demonstration mine).

HB 1146: Our Concerns

“Consumptive Use” is not defined by the HB 1146, but is generally understood to mean the use of water that does not result in its return to the aquifer after it is withdrawn.

HB 1146 applies to the entire coast and could result in unbridled growth all in every coastal county.

HB 1146 would allow private water providers to operate like public water providers and locate points of withdrawal outside of the mapped service area, putting them in direct competition with public water providers, who are required to coordinate with local governments to accommodate growth.

HB 1146 could set up the circumstances for developers and private water providers to overthrow responsible planning efforts that are limited by a shared public resource.

Worse, HB 1146 would allow the limited public resource to be privatized by bypassing the public utility mandated by law to ensure its equitable and responsible distribution.

If HB 1146, access to our limited, shared drinking water supply will be granted to the highest bidder.

HB 1146 addresses access to water but not sewer. It is very likely that providing water outside of local government growth priority areas will result in a proliferation of septic tanks to accommodate the growth. This is not a long term responsible or sustainable method for dealing with waste water in higher density residential developments (making it nearly impossible for affordable housing to come from this).

It is likely that HB 1146’s promotion of private water service for growth outside of local government planning will result in inadequate infrastructure for firefighting purposes in these new communities. Especially because these new developments will be outside of previously planned growth areas, the burden of the new firefighting capacity necessary to protect these new communities will fall on the taxpayers.

HB 1146 encourages an increase in private water providers. If a private water operator goes out of business or the private system fails, it will become the responsibility of the taxpayers.

Kristen Clark

12th Grade, South Effingham High School

What Three Words Best Describe You?

Adventurous, Creative, Assiduous

What Is Your Dream Career?

I don’t know exactly what it is I want to pursue later in life, but I know I want it to be something that gives me the freedom to travel and explore the world while still making a difference. I want to do something that allows me to be creative and pursue my passions, something more than just a standard desk job.

What Is Your Claim to Fame?

I’ve participated in South Carolina’s Olympic Development Program for soccer for the past two years.

What Is Your Favorite Place Along Georgia’s Coast? What Do You Like Most About It?

My favorite place probably has to be Saint Simon’s Island. It’s not just about how beautiful and serene it is, though. I like how being there makes me feel. I like that it makes me feel at peace with myself and lets me escape from the world around me.

What Coastal Issue(s) Are You Most Passionate About? Why?

I think that major coastal issues to be concerned about primarily surround plastic pollution and the degradation of beaches and coastal lands. There are so many issues that are important and worthwhile, but I feel that plastic pollution is especially important. It threatens wildlife and chemicals leeched can harmfully impact human health, as well.

What Advice Would You Give to Other Students Who Want to Be Leaders or Make a Difference?

You are never too small to make a difference. Every movement and every change in history has started with one action, one idea, that was built upon to create change. All contributions, big or small, have the power to make a difference.

Stephanie Chewning

Coastal Education Coordinator

Stephanie’s love for the ocean started at a very young age on the beaches of Stone Harbor, New Jersey, searching for and collecting shells with her Nana. This childhood passion never stopped, and she followed her interest in the outdoors by pursuing a degree in Marine Science from American University in Washington, D.C.

After college, Stephanie spent time teaching environmental science in Florida, California, and Georgia. Ultimately settling on the Georgia coast, she worked at Driftwood Education Center on St. Simons Island as the Program Director and later with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources as a Naturalist on Sapelo Island. Stephanie continues to share her love of our coast as a part of the One Hundred Miles education team.

Megan Desrosiers

President and Chief Executive Officer

Megan Desrosiers is the founding President/CEO of One Hundred Miles, Georgia’s coastal advocacy organization. In an effort to elevate the Georgia coast as a recognized place of historical, cultural, and biological significance, Megan spends her time working in local communities, on regional collaboration projects, and lobbying in Atlanta.

Megan and her team have accomplished a remarkable amount since the organization’s inception ten years ago. One Hundred Miles is responsible for improvements to the Erosion and Sedimentation Act which now requires a 25-foot buffer for all salt marsh, galvanizing statewide opposition to offshore drilling, preventing the US Army Corps of Engineers from dredging during the summer when Georgia’s sea turtles come home to nest, and leading citizens’ efforts to stop Spaceport Camden and repeal harmful zoning on Sapelo Island. Under her leadership, One Hundred Miles has built a network of more than 35,000 advocates who stand ready to respond to bad and promote good ideas that will affect our coast. In six short years, the organization has grown from two employees to 14, an annual budget of $250,000 to more than $1.5 million, and a donor base of six to one of more than 1,200 today.

Before coming to Georgia’s coast, Megan spent ten years at the Coastal Conservation League (CCL) in South Carolina. She was instrumental in efforts to conserve land in the Ashley River Historic Corridor and on Johns Island. She also worked to establish the organization’s first climate and energy and agriculture program agendas.

Megan has worked through the years to help start up organizations form and become sustainable coastal advocacy partners in Georgia and South Carolina. In addition to forming One Hundred Miles, she worked with a team to start GrowFood Carolina, South Carolina’s first local food hub, and collaborated with a group of diverse leaders to initiate Charleston County’s Greenbelt Program. Megan has also served on the founding boards of the South Carolina Outdoor Education Program (SCOEP) and Charleston Moves, a bicycle/pedestrian advocacy organization.

In 2024, Megan was honored with the James S. Dockery, Jr. Southern Environmental Leadership Award from the Southern Environmental Law Center for her excellent and longstanding environmental leadership in the Southeast.