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 hand and drink directly from it,” said Caraway Best, a senior at Madison County High School, who urged commissioners to reject any plan that would allow industrial discharge into the river. Residents repeatedly cited health, tourism and fishing impacts and asked the board to coordinate with neighboring counties.

Board members read the resolution aloud before a motion to adopt. The chair said Franklin Springs currently operates a roughly 0.03 million gallons per day (MGD) wastewater plant and that proposals and permit documents the county had received described requests for much larger capacity, including a 2.5 MGD plant. Commissioners said that information and residents’ concerns motivated the county’s request that EPD prioritize and carefully review any proposals affecting the Middle Fork of the Broad River.

Speakers included local students and long-time residents who recounted childhood memories on the river; business owners who said the river supports tourism and local spending; and environmental professionals who urged coordinated, multi-county protections. Hugo Krispyn, introduced himself as executive director of Friends of the Edisto and noted regional riverkeeper organizations were monitoring the issue. Chris Erwin, describing decades in natural-resource management, urged a coordinated, informed approach to protect the river for downstream communities.

Chairman Higdon moved the resolution up on the agenda so the large group of visitors could speak early and return home. After discussion the board entertained a motion to adopt; the motion was seconded and commissioners approved the resolution. The transcript does not list a roll-call tally in the record of the meeting minutes excerpt but records the motion, the second and the board’s approval.

The resolution asks EPD to review proposed and future facilities near the Middle Fork of the Broad River, require stringent pollution controls and monitoring, provide public hearing opportunities for Madison County and neighboring counties, and consider long-term mitigation for recreational, public-health and economic impacts.

County officials and residents said the matter is not limited to Madison County: commissioners and attendees reported contacts with officials in Franklin, Elbert, Wilkes and Lincoln counties and said some neighboring county boards were preparing related actions or agenda items. A petition posted online during the week of the hearing gathered signatures rapidly, speakers said, and several citizen groups asked officials to pursue multi-county protections and to coordinate with EPD on permit reviews.

The board did not adopt a regulatory ban; the resolution is a formal request that the state agency prioritize review and monitoring. Commissioners said the county would remain engaged with state regulators and neighboring counties as permit processes continue.

Ending: County officials said they will forward the signed resolution to EPD and continue to coordinate with neighboring counties and citizens’ groups. The board encouraged residents to follow public notices from Franklin Springs and EPD for opportunities to comment when permit applications are filed.