March 2023- The landfill company has appealed the administrative law judge's decision in our case. Against all common sense, the will of the community, and the decision of the administrative law court, this company still thinks it's a good idea to put an illegal landfill next to neighborhoods, elementary schools, and the Satilla River. Our organization will continue to fight for our river and the Brantley County community as this case travels through the courts. Satilla Riverkeeper has already filed our own appeal, and we will do whatever we can to stop this illegal landfill.
Feb. 2023- The permit for the proposed Brantley County landfill was found unlawful!
“This victory for the Brantley County community confirms that developers cannot come into a community and mislead the local government and the public on the location of a proposed landfill,” says Chris Bertrand, Satilla Riverkeeper. “Local voices matter, and we are grateful the court heard our call to reverse the permit for this ill-conceived project.”
You can read about the case decision by clicking the link below!
Brantley County is not a suitable place for a Landfill.
Brantley County Development Partners, LLC is attempting to build a landfill in Waynesville (Brantley County). The site they have chosen contains several wetlands, is prone to flooding, and it is nearby 2 elementary schools, private residences, and churches. It is not an appropriate location for a landfill.
Recap: What has happened so far?
Facility Negotiations Process: Over 300 people signed a petition requesting that Brantley County initiate the Facility Issues Negotiations Process as described in the Georgia Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Act § 12-8-32. Satilla Riverkeeper is one of 10 serving on the Citizens Committee, attempting to negotiate safeguards for the community and the environment in case the project moves forward. After 45 days of the negotiations process, the Brantley County Development Partners refused to consider the safeguards the citizens and the County requested. A public meeting about the outcome of the process should be scheduled in early 2021.
Site Suitability: EPD invited public comments on Draft Site Limitations in December 2019. These Site Limitations were drafted based on the applicant's Site Suitability Report. EPD received 9,517 public comments, all but three were in opposition to the draft site limitations. On May 28, 2020, EPD issued a Site Suitability Notice, dismissing virtually all of the public's concerns. Read Satilla Riverkeeper's initial comment letter and supplemental comment letter. Read EPD's Responses to the public's concerns.
Sen. William Ligon introduced SB 384 that would prohibit any new landfills within 3 miles of the Satilla River. This bill would protect the river and nearby communities. This bill passed the Senate on March 12th, but stalled out in the House Committee on Rules in the final days of the session in July.
in 2022, the Satilla Riverkeeper sued to stop this illegal landfill.
