Wednesday, April 16, 2025
Good morning! We’re focused this morning on the Georgia Supreme Court, where justices will hear oral arguments related to a thwarted referendum on Sapelo zoning. Next we take a look at the changing control of drinking water supply in the Savannah area, and what it means for the river. Finally, as Earth Day approaches, we list celebrations and fundraisers along the coast.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
NEWS: COMMUNITY
High court hears Sapelo zoning vote
At 10 a.m. today the Georgia Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in three related cases regarding a McIntosh County referendum a judge halted last fall after more than 800 people voted. The question before voters at the time was whether to repeal controversial zoning adopted in 2023 that allowed larger houses in the historic Hogg Hummock neighborhood on Sapelo Island, as The Current’s Mary Landers reports. As with the Camden Spaceport referendum, which the high court ruled in favor of in 2023, local residents gathered enough signatures to force the vote. This time the justices will decide if zoning regulations are fair game for this type of action.
To watch today’s oral arguments live at 10 a.m. go to gasupreme.us. Click the banner on the homepage to be taken to the live stream.
EXPLAINER: ENVIRONMENT
Get ready to drink more river water
An infusion of half a billion dollars from the state for water infrastructure is reshaping water politics in the Savannah area. Effingham County is poised to join Savannah as only the second provider of treated surface water along the coast.
The use of Savannah River water will ease the pressure on the overburdened Floridan aquifer, but environmentalists point out that relying on the river to fuel growth is not without consequences, as The Current’s Mary Landers reports.
“(A)t some point in time, things are going to start breaking, and when they do, I hope we have the right contingency plan,” said Savannah Riverkeeper Tonya Bonitatibus.
NEWS: ENVIRONMENT
Upcoming Earth Day celebrations
Tuesday marks the 55th anniversary of the first Earth Day celebration, held in 1970. Area Earth Day events include:
Guyton & Effingham Earth Day Festival 2025 will take place 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 19 at the Guyton Walking Trail in Guyton. Events include a “giant insect parade” at 9 a.m. The Effingham Herald has a preview here.
Glynn Environmental Coalition will hold an Earth Day fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22 at Broomelli Boys Pizzeria, 760 Scranton Rd #101, Brunswick.
Savannah’s Earth Day Festival will be held from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at Daffin Park. Sponsored by the Lite Foot Environmental Foundation, events include craft stations; recycling stations for items including glass, eyeglasses and electronics; as well as 35 nonprofit organizations sharing their missions.
The Darien Lions Club will hold “The Peace, Love & Native Plants Dance Party,” a “night of groovy music, eco-friendly fun, and a celebration of native plants” from 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday, April 25 at 905 E. Broad Street, Darien.
Also noted
- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ review of the Hyundai permit — prompted by the Ogeechee Riverkeeper last summer — found little of concern. The corps did allow that the EV plant would have “a long-term minor effect” on the area’s drinking water supply, a switch from its initial finding that the impacts would be “negligible,” as the AP’s Russ Bynum reports.
- Georgia shrimpers are hoping tariffs on imported shrimp can help their bottom line after the state legislature failed to pass a bill to support the industry. The Current’s Justin Taylor and Margaret Coker report.
- For the first time, fossil fuels accounted for less than half of U.S. electricity production across an entire month as clean power generation surged in March, Canary Media reports.
- A new report from the Environmental Voter Project finds that far more women than men list climate and environmental issues as their top priority in voting, Jessica Kutz of The 19th reports.
We want to meet your friends! If you like this newsletter be sure to share it. And, if someone shared this with you, click here to sign up for regular delivery!
Sapelo referendum heads to Georgia Supreme Court
The Georgia Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on Wednesday to decide whether or not to uphold a judge’s decision that stopped a referendum on controversial zoning in McIntosh County.
State funding reshapes Savannah-area water market
Effingham County is set to become a bigger player in supplying the area’s water, with a $501 million water infrastructure package approved by the state legislature that includes a new surface water treatment plant, only the second in Coastal Georgia.
Prospect of Trump tariffs buoys hopes of Coastal Georgia shrimpers
Local shrimpers in Coastal Georgia are pinning their hopes on President Trump’s proposed tariffs to help the industry, which has been undercut by cheaper imported shrimp, but relief is uncertain.
The Current GA is part of The Trust Project.
Read our policies.
Support independent, solutions-based investigative journalism without bias, fear or favor on issues affecting Savannah and Coastal Georgia.
WITH GENEROUS SUPPORT FROM
You must be logged in to post a comment.