COMMUNITY Virginia . This year in Georgia , we ’ ve tackled complex environmental issues and successfully challenged opponents to secure legal , legislative , and policy victories and provide pro bono services to our nonprofit partners . Working together , we ’ ve made meaningful progress to ensure communities ’ basic rights to clean air and clean water , to right environmental injustices , and to advocate for better access to clean , cost-effective energy .
Cleaning up ‘ forever chemicals ’ in Georgia ’ s water
In a victory for the health of Georgia ’ s Chattooga River and downstream communities , a major textile mill in northwest Georgia committed to permanently cease the use of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances ( PFAS )— also known as “ forever chemicals ” because of their persistence in the environment — and take meaningful action to reduce water pollution . In 2022 , SELC , on behalf of the Coosa River Basin Initiative , sent notices of intent to sue both Mount Vernon Mills and the Town of Trion alleging violations of the Clean Water Act and federal laws prohibiting PFAS pollution . Trion ’ s wastewater plant lacks the technology to remove the chemicals and the plant ’ s sludge and wastewater have contaminated the Chattooga River watershed with PFAS for the past several years . Last May , Coosa River Basin Initiative , together with Mount Vernon Mills , Inc ., and the Town of Trion , jointly moved for a consent decree that resolved a civil enforcement lawsuit brought by SELC on behalf of CRBI against the mill and Trion . Under its terms , Mount Vernon permanently ceased the use of PFAS in textile operations at the mill ’ s Trion facility as of 2023 . “ This agreement serves as a model for how Georgia ’ s textile industry can work alongside communities to ensure safer water for everyone ,” said Chris Bowers , Senior Attorney at SELC . “ The proposed consent decree , which requires Mount Vernon to stop using PFAS at this mill , puts long overdue restrictions on these harmful chemical releases .”
Fighting environmental injustices
In Adel , Georgia , we reached a settlement with Spectrum Energy that sets a new standard for protecting communities from the impacts of wood pellet production , including noise , traffic , and air pollution . The Spectrum plant is located next to primarily Black and Hispanic residential neighborhoods , whose residents have already faced the disproportionate consequences of industry for decades . The agreement secures stronger protections for public health , ensures greater public transparency , and sets limits on facility expansion if settlement terms are not met . Following the settlement , SELC and Concerned Citizens of Cook County filed a federal Title VI Civil Rights petition with EPA to push for a permitting process that meaningfully accounts for community impacts and environmental justice .
“ I ’ m proud that we , Concerned Citizens of Cook County , made our very own seat at the table to advocate for the West Adel community ’ s health and welfare . Though we ’ re pleased that Spectrum participated in these discussions , we are disappointed that the agency obligated to protect our community failed once again ,” said Dr . Treva Gear , founder and chair of Concerned Citizens of Cook County . “ We look forward to holding Spectrum and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division accountable .”
Defending Georgia ’ s coast and wetlands
Along with our partner One Hundred Miles , we filed a federal lawsuit in the Southern District of Georgia arguing that the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers failed to conduct a sufficient environmental review of year-round dredging , as required by the National Environmental Policy Act .
Since 2021 , One Hundred Miles and SELC have fought against efforts by the U . S . Army Corps of Engineers to remove longstanding restrictions that prohibited maintenance dredging between April 1 and December 14 . This includes during spring and summer nesting seasons when there are more sea turtles , especially nesting females , in Georgia ’ s shipping channels . As a result of the lawsuit , the Corps announced it would not move forward with year-round hopper dredging in Brunswick Harbor at this time . Instead , it will undertake a thorough review of the environmental impacts to sea turtles , fisheries , and other wildlife — a significant victory for Georgia ’ s loggerhead sea turtles and other important species .
Our fight to defend North America ’ s largest blackwater swamp continues in Charlton County . For five years , SELC has led the fight to stop a proposed 8,000-acre titanium mine that would harm the Okefenokee .
www . atlantabar . org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 27