AGLCA’s director, Kim Russo, has been very involved with the suggested wording process for HB 201 sent to GA DNR and attended the 6/17 meeting with the GA DNR in Brunswick. This is her report to the AGLCA membership.

The hearing held by DNR in Georgia last night was well-attend, with more than 50 people taking part in the meeting and more than 25 taking the mic to comment.  The news is mostly positive, but there is still a lot of time left in the process.

DNR began by giving details of the new law slated to take effect January 1st.  During the DNR presentation, they did agree with our stance that all coastal waterways should be allowable anchorages with limited exceptions for shellfish beds, navigation channels, and a limited distance from marine infrastructure such as marinas and boat ramps.  This is a win.  AGLCA and our coalition (made up of SSCA, MTOA, and DeFever Cruisers) suggested that 150 feet is an appropriate set-back from marine infrastructure.  The group we worked with to craft consensus comments (which included GAMBA, Waterway Guide, Cruisers’ Net, Tom Hale, and Roger Long) also agreed to 150 feet.  However, DNR has not yet determined what that distance for this setback should be and is continuing to assess the options.  DNR also included private residences in the list of shore-side development where an anchoring setback might be put in place.  The addition of residential property to that list is something we will have to consider, but I believe it will be a problem for our members and for our coalition.  This could potentially put the wants of individual homeowners in front of the rights of boaters.  As a reminder, the waterways are in the public trust and are not owned by individuals.  That said, there may be a reasonable distance from private docks that boats should not be allowed to anchor.  I’m interested in hearing members’ thoughts on that issue.
  
I was pleased to have the opportunity to reiterate our previously submitted comments on behalf of our members and our coalition.  Representatives from BoatUS, National Marina Manufacturers Association, GAMBA, and Waterway Guide also spoke in support of the right of boaters to anchor.  Current and former Georgia legislators addressed the group and agreed that there are problems with the law as written.  Many individual boat owners expressed frustration with the law, a primary theme being a lack of evidence that there is a need for these new restrictions, and the lack of enforcement of existing laws that could help solve the problems (if these problems exist in Georgia) of dumping raw sewage into the waterways and abandoning vessels. 

There was no information provided by DNR on where they may be headed with the permit issue.  You have until July 15th to submit written comments.  Revised rules will then be presented by DNR to the Board of Natural Resources in August.  DNR has agreed to open another public comment period to gather feedback on the revised rules.  This will most likely take place in October.

If you haven’t yet submitted written comments to DNR, please send them to:

Kelly Hill
Coastal Resources Division
One Conservation Way
Brunswick, GA 31520
Kelly.Hill@dnr.ga.gov

Simply, state who you are, why you’re interested in this issue, and what you’d like DNR to do.  If you are in agreement with AGLCA’s proposal, then you’d like DNR to amend the proposed rules so that:  

-Permits are not required for anchoring 60 days or less
-All coastal waterways are open to anchoring with the exception of shellfish beds, navigation channels, and within 150 feet of marine infrastructure including marinas, boat ramps, boatyards, or other vessel launching or loading facilities.

Please consider sharing this information with four boating friends and asking them to submit comments as well.  

If you have any questions about all of this, please don’t hesitate to ask!

Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association