Boater Groups Not Allowed to Speak at GA DNR Board Meeting By James H. Newsome

By James H. Newsome

Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources Board met at the A. W. Jones Heritage Center on St. Simons Island on January 31. Representatives from boater groups Save Georgia’s Anchorages, Americas Great Loop Cruisers’ Association (AGLCA), Seven Seas Cruising Association (SSCA), Marine Trawler Owners’ Association (MTOA), Defever Cruisers, National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) planned to address the board concerning anchoring restrictions as a result of Commissioner Mark Williams’ Administrative Order (AO) and GA House Bill 201.

The Board rules state that individuals may address the board for up to three minutes if the topic of discussion is on the agenda. Commissioner Williams’ AO was not on the agenda. SOUTHWINDS’ James H. Newsome requested in early January that the item be added so representatives from boaters’ groups and individuals could address the board over concerns about the impact of HB201 and the Commissioner’s AO. The request for the agenda item to be added was denied by a phone call from Director Doug Haymans on January 21. The reason given for the denial was that the Board does not review Administrative Orders by the Commissioner.

The next Board of Natural Resources meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., in the DNR Boardroom at 2 Martin Luther King, Jr. Drive, SE, Suite 1252 East, Atlanta, GA 30334. SOUTHWINDS will continue to follow developments in this important issue and will provide updates in future publications.

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