Due to the importance of public safety, the annual BeachWeek events, typically scheduled for the week leading up to Independence Day, has been canceled. 
 

Brunswick, Ga. Wed, 06/24/2020  The Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division (CRD) is taking precautions to keep the public safe and prevent the spread of Covid-19.  Due to the importance of public safety, the annual BeachWeek events, typically scheduled for the week leading up to Independence Day, has been canceled.  With summer in full swing, Georgia beaches throughout the coast continue to be popular destinations for visitors and residents. Therefore, CRD encourages the public to visit our website at https://coastalgadnr.org/BeachWeek2020 to learn more about the sights and sounds on Georgia’s coast.  You will also find links to our partners sites to allow you to dive a little deeper. Did you know that Georgia is home to 100 miles of shoreline, 380,000 acres of saltmarsh, and 14 barrier islands which buffer the mainland from the Atlantic Ocean? Five major freshwater rivers feed the Georgia coast, forming an extensive estuarine ecosystem. This network delivers vast amounts of freshwater to the coast and creates a range of habitats that support diverse wildlife. Although relatively undeveloped, the coastal Georgia landscape is changing nonetheless. New residents are drawn by the region’s natural beauty and abundance of recreational opportunities. Through a combination of wise management, stewardship, and collaboration, everything we love about coastal Georgia can be conserved for generations to come. For more information about Beach Week 2020 activities contact Jennifer Kline, Beach Week Coordinator at (912) 264-7218.   20 years of Sustaining, Protecting,Enhancing, and Conserving Support Habitat Conservation with your License Plate STAY CONNECTED with Georgia Coastal Management Program

This is good news for Waterway cruisers in Georgia. Our thanks to Kim Russo for this announcement posted on AGLCA’s Forum.

Minutes ago the Georgia State Senate passed legislation that will undo the disastrous anchoring regulations that took effect in that state on January 1st of this year. HB 833, sponsored by Georgia Representative (and Gold Looper!), Ron Stephens, passed the Georgia House on March 12th, but didn’t make it to the Senate floor for a vote before the General Assembly adjourned for COVID-19 quarantine. The lawmakers have returned, and the bill passed the Senate today by a vote of 48-1.

HB 833 takes back some of the widespread power the previous law afforded DNR to regulate anchoring. In short, HB 833 removes the ability to require permits for all overnight anchoring, removes the requirement to keep records of pump outs, and perhaps most importantly, removes the requirement that boats not anchor within 1,000 feet of water front structures and within 300 feet of marinas. Instead, the new law changes those set-back distances to 150-feet from waterfront structures, 300-feet from marinas, and 500-feet from commercial shellfish beds for short-term anchoring, which is defined as anchoring in the same place for up to 14 cumulative nights per calendar year. Long term anchoring (over 14 days in the same place) will require a permit.

The bill now requires a signature from the Governor, which is expected soon. Once signed, the new law takes effect immediately.

This is a big win for the boating community and a great example of what our membership can do with our collective advocacy efforts.

Kim Russo
Director
America’s Great Loop Cruisers’ Association