Riverkeeper Report

Photo provided by St. Marys Riverkeeper

Compiled by Meaghan Gerard Communications & Administrative Director Ogeechee Riverkeeper meaghan@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org

Satilla Riverkeeper remains vigilant as regards the proposed spaceport in Camden County. Camden County proposes to use coastal marshlands and portions of the Satilla River as the "blast-zone" for rocket launches from the Spaceport facility. The blast zone is the most likely area to be damaged by rocket blasts, fuel spills, and debris. www.satillariverkeeper.org/

The St. Marys Riverkeeper will hold the 14th Annual River Blessing on Saturday January 29, 2022, 9a-11a, at Alpine Groves Park, Switzerland, Fla. This event is a spiritual but nonreligious experience to honor the water of the Earth, on which all life depends. The Riverkeepers of the St. Johns, Matanzas, and St. Marys Rivers will speak about their connection to Florida rivers. Representatives of the Santa Fe and the Florida aquifers will also join and offer more inspirational words. www.stmarysriverkeeper.org January 2022 Southern Tides Magazine The ORK will host an Adopt-aStream training for chemical and bacterial monitoring at the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center in Guyton on February 5. Manuals, training, and technical support are provided. New citizen scientists or those seeking recertification are encouraged to attend. The training is free but attendees should bring their own lunch and water. Pre-registration is required. www.ogeecheeriverkeeper.org/events/

Altamaha Riverkeeper continues to push for more funds to clean up oil and debris from the Golden Ray wreck. The location was included on the 2021 Dirty Dozen report issued by Georgia Water Coalition. Riverkeeper Fletcher Sams says it is imperative for the state to require a more comprehensive damage assessment. A live map of oil spill locations is available on their website. altamahariverkeeper. org/

Savannah Riverkeeper shared its volunteer and cleanup totals for 2021. They counted 271 active volunteers who worked 3,441 hours to gather more than 65 tons of trash. SRK also conducted more than 350 water quality tests and partnered with 62 local businesses. www.savannahriverkeeper.org