So you can better see, James Holland, the busy beaver, writes:
For those of you that have been wondering what the Spit on the south end of Sea Island may end up looking like, if developed, I have created a rendering of the site. THE IMAGES ARE NO WAY INTENDED TO BE TRUE AND CORRECT OF WHAT THIS DEVELOPMENT WILL END UP LOOKING LIKE, IF IT MOVES FORWARD. THESE IMAGES ARE MERE APPROXIMATIONS OF WHAT IT MAY LOOK LIKE. HOWEVER, MY AERIAL AND GROUND LEVEL DOCUMENTATION INDICATES THAT WE WILL LOSE SUBSTANTIAL SALT MARSH AND TREES IF THIS DEVELOPMENT MOVES FORWARD AS IS PLANNED. ONCE AGAIN, THESE IMAGES ARE NOT TRUE OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS AND ARE IN NO WAY INTENDED TO BE USED AS SUCH.
The spit on the south end of Sea Island is extremely fragile according to many scientists who have tendered testimony to the Island Planning Commission, which then approved the preliminary plat.
This island spit is a favorite resting, feeding and nesting habitat for many endangered and migratory species that travel up and down the eastern seaboard of the United States.
The beach along this spit is also used by endangered sea turtles as nesting habitat and I believe this bird and sea turtle habitat will be disrupted by humans if they build on this site.
Only a human would attempt to build a permanent home on this site. This site is so geologically unstable that in the past ten years, in some areas, it has lost more than 100 feet of its shore line. We need to stop this development that's proposed to sit right in the middle of some of the most critical habitat for migratory species in the United States and even possibly beyond. A petition to stop this development is being passed around. If you haven't signed it already and would like to do so, contact the Altamaha Riverkeeper
Also, please contact your state and locally elected officials and ask for their assistance in stopping the ruination of this critical wildlife habitat. This is an election year and we should inform these officials of what we the public want of them as our leaders.
James Holland, Environmental Advocate
P.S.
This is my rendering of where, according to the 2nd preliminary plat approved by the Island Planning Commission, the 600+ foot bridge is proposed to be constructed.
Six hundred foot bridge to be constructed through the dunes.
Red line, following plat approval, superimposed.
************
Hannah note:
I'm reminded that many years ago, Florida Power came up with a scheme to mine the Santa Fe Swamp for the peat they claimed to be able to retrieve from under ten feet of water and, of course, trees. A group of citizens was invited to trudge through the undergrowth on a barely cleared trail and then, when we reported back that clearing the trees out of the swamp by helicopter seemed totally unrealistic, the power company was quite amenable to having the swamp bought back, at a pretty penny, for preservation by the State. Who knows what value the mere threat of development has?
JR Holland has given permission for this post to be republished from Hannah Blog, stating that it is
an environmental outreach advocacy document seeking support from all places that wish to protect critical areas such as the "spit". JH