The Ogeechee Riverkeeper (ORK) is offering a new Responsible Development Tool Kit for citizens that will assist them in organizing and conducting advocacy activities independently.
Unchecked development is one of the most dangerous threats to water quality. Each urbanization impact creates litter which leads to visual and bacterial pollution. When development is allowed to proceed with little or no limitations, these effects multiply exponentially and quickly tip the health of the environment into dangerously unhealthy.
This tool kit is intended as a guide for broad grassroots citizen coalitions to lobby local municipalities and governments to adopt planning and zoning ordinances that address a wide range of concerns, including systemic environmental justice concerns, in an effort to protect both the environment and vulnerable populations.
“With 5,500 square miles to cover, ORK relies on the assistance of residents across the watershed,” said Damon Mullis, executive director and riverkeeper.
“Reporting pollution issues to attending local municipal meetings to sending photos from a day on the river – all of this helps us keep our waterways safe,” Mullis said.
In 2020, the ORK launched a county-by-county campaign to update planning and zoning ordinances. While these efforts are ongoing, ORK is offering citizens the opportunity to get active in advocating for the river with a brand new tool kit.
The tool kit compiles county contacts and ordinances and also provides lists and ideas for checking the compliance of the proposed project.
“ORK will continue to work with local governments and citizens to pass updated ordinances, but this will give citizens a blueprint for expressing their concerns today,” said Meaghan Walsh Gerard, communications and administrative director. “It’s key that residents know they do not have to simply accept destructive development practices.”
The contacts and links within the tool kit will be updated on a regular basis, as needed.
The tool kit is available for download here.