Madison County commissioners pass resolution urging EPD review after flood of public comments on Broad River

Madison County commissioners on March 31 approved a resolution asking the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to review and take “all necessary action” to prevent environmental degradation of the Middle Fork of the Broad River, after dozens of residents and stakeholders urged the board to block nearby industrial wastewater and rendering facilities.

The resolution directs the county to request that EPD thoroughly review proposals for facilities near the Middle Fork of the Broad River, establish stringent pollution-control measures, provide public hearings for affected counties and communities, and implement a long-term monitoring program to protect water and air quality.

The votes followed more than an hour of public comment in which students, residents and business owners described longstanding recreational and family use of the river and warned that industrial wastewater or rendering operations would harm water quality, wildlife and local economies. “The Broad’s water is so fresh that when it’s cool, I never hesitate to cut my…