Our environment

PRESERVING GEORGIA’S COASTAL MARSHLANDS

by Duane Harris
SSLT Board of Directors, 2004-2009

The State of Georgia took an unprecedented step in 1970 when lawmakers enacted the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act. At the time it was only the second wetlands protection law in the nation. It preceded the federal Clean Water Act passed in 1972.

According to Dr. Eugene Odum (deceased), Professor Emeritus of the University Of Georgia Institute Of Ecology and widely known as the Father of Modern Ecology, coastal marshlands are the most productive vegetated areas on earth. Dr. Odum based this statement after measuring primary production in terms of carbon and comparing this production to other known carbon producing areas. He was one of the first and strongest supporters for protecting Georgia’s marshes.

State Representative Reid Harris, a lawyer from St. Simons Island, listened to Dr. Odum and others and decided to sponsor the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act. Nothing less than his political career and the friendship of many close associates were at stake. Harris chronicled his efforts in the book, "And the Coastlands Wait." The forward to the book is written by President Jimmy Carter who summarized the effort: “In a truly historic struggle, he guided the Coastal Marshlands Act of 1970 in its convoluted passage through the House and Senate”.

Georgia’s marshlands are now loved by young and old alike but it was not always the case. We all owe Reid Harris a huge debt of gratitude for protecting this magnificent resource we now take for granted.