St. Mary’s River, GA
Preventing a Waterway’s Health from Being Siphoned Away
Case Summary
The St. Marys River, which originates in the Okefenokee Swamp and forms part of the border between Georgia and Florida as it flows to the Atlantic south of Cumberland Island, is home to a remarkable diversity of aquatic life and serves as a popular fishing and boating destination. But its future health could be in jeopardy.
River in Jeopardy
Northeast Florida’s water district is in the process of updating its supply plans and has targeted the St. Marys River as a possible water source for metro Jacksonville and neighboring areas. As much as 30 million gallons a day could be transferred from the St. Marys to another watershed, further degrading a river that is already listed impaired under the Clean Water Act for low oxygen levels.
SELC Takes Action
SELC is objecting to the plan, which would weaken the river’s ability to withstand pollution, diminish its capacity to support recreation, and reduce the water available to downstream communities, including Folkston, St. George, Kingsland, and St. Marys.