Altamaha Riverkeeper News

An Atlanta judge has sided with environmental groups in ruling that a huge pulp mill in Southeast Georgia discharges too much pollution into the Altamaha River, known fondly as “the Little Amazon.”

Administrative law judge Kimberly Schroer  nullified, in essence, a wastewater permit allowing the Rayonier Advanced Materials mill in Jesup to dump millions of gallons of treated wood pulp daily into the river. The state’s Environmental Protection Division issued the permit for the mill, built in 1954, last December.

“We are thrilled with the Court’s ruling that the permit is considered unlawful.  Fishermen, kayakers and recreationists of all sorts are aware of the awful stench and stain that is pumped into the river daily by Rayonier Advanced Materials, and the Judge concluded that it interferes with citizens’ legitimate uses of the river,” said Jen Hilburn, Altamaha Riverkeeper.

“Further, the Court recognized that our Environmental Protection Division appeared to give the 100+ public written comments against this pollution little more than a cursory glance in considering the new permit.  Those communities who love this river and want to enjoy it are the real winners today.”

Read the judge’s decision.

You made this win possible. 

Having Riverkeeper supporters behind us over the past 15 years is how we got here.

But this issue, and others on the horizon, are far from conclusion. While it’s a always good to celebrate successes, we have to recommit to standing strong together. It’s time to clean up this mess.  

So please, help us keep standing strong for the Mighty Altamaha.

A $40 renewal of your membership or donation of $100, $250, $500, or more will allow us to more closely monitor our waterways to make sure that issues like this are not overlooked. We cannot do that without you. 

Again, this win is your win. Let’s turn it into many many more.