ORK continues its legal fight against King America Finishing (KAF), the textile plant in Dover.
In May 2011, about 33,000 fish of more than 15 different species, plus hundreds of mussels and possibly a few alligators died in an 80-mile stretch of the river from Screven to Chatham counties. DNR fisheries supervisor Tim Barrett said he found dead fish “50-100 yards” below the outfall pipe for King America and on downstream but no dead fish were found above the factory. That, plus water and sediment samples that show high levels of formaldehyde and other chemicals.
Filed against King America Finishing Inc., a textile factory on the river in Screven County, a class lawsuit in Fulton County. King America Finishing knowingly and purposefully, and negligently, released into the Ogeechee River an unknown quantity of chemicals and contaminants from its manufacturing plant located adjacent to the Ogeechee River in Dover, Georgia,” the complaint reads.
Ogeechee Riverkeeper ORK has appealed the consent order between KAF and EPD, which only asks the plant to submit a Supplemental Environmental Project totaling $1 million dollars. ORK and citizens along the river, throughout Georgia and even the United States consider this insufficient and demand more action be taken.
KAF's draft permit to discharge wastewater is out for public comment and we need citizens to contact EPD asking for a public hearing.
ORK is reviewing the permit at this time. Here is the permit for you to review and send your comments to EPD.
We need citizens to contact the EPD and let them know we want a public hearing on this permit. You can pick up the phone, fax and email your request to the following:
Watershed Protection Branch
4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30354
Phone: 404.675.6232 Fax: 404.675.6247
Linda MacGregor, Branch Chief
or
WASTEWATER REGULATORY PROGRAM
Phone: 404.362.2680 Fax: 404.362.2691
Jane Hendricks, Program Manager
Please contact your local and state representatives and let them know we want a public hearing on King America Finishing's permit. Here is the link to find your state and local representatives. CLICK HERE.
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