Bryan County commissioners authorize investigation of alleged contamination at former Caesarstone plant

Bryan County commissioners voted at an emergency special-called meeting to authorize the county attorney and staff to investigate allegations of contamination at the former Caesarstone plant at 1 Caesarstone Drive (Parcel 049005) and, if warranted, to pursue public nuisance proceedings that could block transfer or sale of the property until remediation.

Aaron, the county attorney, said remarks at a public meeting by the company (referred to in the transcript alternately as West Wind/Westwind/Westwood) included new, concerning claims. Quoting the company's CEO as reported to the board, Aaron said there was "substantial silica contamination," "there were elevated levels of arsenic today," and that "hazardous waste barrels [were] strewn about the facility." Aaron told commissioners those allegations had not previously been presented to county officials and described the legal mechanism the county could use if contamination is confirmed.

"Georgia law has what's called a public nuisance statute," Aaron said, explaining that the county attorney or a city attorney may bring an action when a property creates a public hazard affecting health, welfare or safety. He recommended the board grant authority to work with Richmond Hill city staff and the development authority to investigate the private property, noting the county does not have zoning or permitting authority over the site and that those powers rest with the City of Richmond Hill.

A commissioner moved to "approve and authorize county staff and county attorney to proceed with all investigations necessary to determine whether public nuisance exists on 1 Caesarstone Drive, Parcel 049005, and such other joining adjacent or nearby properties as necessary" and to "evaluate the findings of those investigations and if warranted, proceed with public nuisance proceedings." The motion was seconded and, after a short discussion about the seriousness of the matter and coordination with Richmond Hill and the development authority, the chairman announced that the motion carried. The transcript records a recommended abstention by one commissioner who said he works for the company that monitors the site; the audio shows the chair urging that commissioner to abstain, but no roll-call tally appears in the transcript.

Aaron also told the board that West Wind had previously sought development-authority action to induce a TEFRA (tax-exempt) bond but had since withdrawn that request, meaning a bond matter was not currently moving forward.

Next steps, as stated at the meeting, are for county staff and the county attorney to coordinate with Richmond Hill and the development authority to investigate the site; if an investigation confirms contamination, the county attorney indicated he would consider filing a public nuisance action to require remediation before any transfer or sale.

The special-called meeting concluded with the board adjourning and taking a brief break before a scheduled workshop.