Watch Tonya's Videos on the Reedy Creek Kaolin Spill

Reedy Creek Spill- Part 1

Reedy Creek Spill- Part 2

Reedy Creek Spill Day 2

PRESS RELEASE 1/2/2012 For Immediate Release Contact:  Tonya Bonitatibus (706) 826-8991 (706) 755-4839 SAVANNAH RIVERKEEPER INC.

Day 2:  Reedy Creek Kaolin Spill  Impact has now reached Brier Creek     ***Please read the Augusta Chronicle and WRDW-Augusta coverage coverage of the Reedy Creek Spill!    ***To view more photos of the kaolin spill, click here.   *** To watch YouTube Video of impacts, click here.    KEYSVILLE, GA - January 2, 2012 - Riverkeeper Tonya Bonitatibus spent the day surveying damage to Reedy Creek brought on by a busted 12-inch kaolin pipe near Hwy. 17.  The busted pipe is estimated to have pumped several tons of what appears to be a mixture kaolin and surfactin into Reedy Creek in the last 48 hours.  It is confirmed the spill has heavily impacted Reedy Creek through the Riverkeeper's visits to all of Reedy's major creek crossings.       Busted Kaolin pipe at Hwy. 17 and Reedy Creek  The summary of Tonya's site visit is as follows:       10:00am:  Tonya begins site visit at Reedy Creek at Hwy. 17 where it is  confirmed that a 12-inch busted kaolin pipe has pumped several tons of  slurry into the creek.  At this time, Tonya observes water flushing through  the busted pipe.            11:30am:  Milky-white slurry has now reached Reedy Creek at Hwy.  221.  The area does not contain Georgia EPD real-time monitors, therefore the  EPD is not currently monitoring Reedy Creek.   12:10am:  Slurry has made its way to Reedy Creek at Hwy. 1 and this  area notes the largest concentration of kaolin and surfactin as of yet.        12:45pm:  Tonya has now reached Matthews, GA, where Reedy Creek flows into Brier Creek, and observes the presence of kaolin and surfactin slurry.      1:15pm:  Tonya reaches Brier Creek at Keyesville, GA.  The water at Brier Creek appears untouched by kaolin slurry at this time.  3:45pm:  Tonya observes the kaolin slurry had now reached Brier Creek and the water at Brier Creek begins to discolor.    Hwy 1 at Reedy Creek At this time, the total impact of the kaolin spill and fish kill risk is still unknown.  The Savannah Riverkeeper will continue to monitor the site and keep you informed of all developments.  To obtain more information, please call the SRK Augusta office at (706) 826-8991.       Since 2001, The Savannah Riverkeeper has been the primary advocate for the Savannah River and its watershed.  We cannot do it with our your support!  Please consider becoming a member or making atax-free contribution.   Make a Donation! Become a Member!     Visit us at www.savannahriverkeeper.org

3rd Annual Roast on the River is only 3 weeks away!

Don't forget to reserve your tickets for the Savannah Riverkeeper's Annual Roast on the River celebration! Join us for drinks, oysters, a Low Country Boil and a live & silent auction!

Date: Friday, January 20, 2012
Time: Starts at 6:30 pm
Location: Hogan's Marina, 36 Wilmington Island Road, Savannah, GA 31410
Tickets: $35 each or $50 for 2, SRK members receive $10 discount

To purchase tickets, please click here.

If you are unable to attend, but would still like to make a tax-free contribution to the Savannah Riverkeeper, please click here.

Tonya speaks at monthly Savannah Maritime Association meeting

Today, Riverkeeper Tonya Bonitatibus delivered a presentation to members of the Savannah Maritime Association; a partnership of maritime-related companies dedicated to the safety and development of the Savannah port.

The presentation detailed the many uses of the Savannah River and how the Savannah Riverkeeper fulfills three main goals: the restoration, protection and education of the river and its tributaries. Tonya's presentation also discussed the inter-connectivity of our fresh water systems and the ocean's health, while highlighting the crucial importance of our esturine marsh systems.

The meeting gave the Savannah Riverkeeper an opportunity to voice concerns about proposed mitigation plans to counter the environmental impacts of the Savannah Harbor Deepening Project. The Savannah Riverkeeper continues to work closely with all groups involved in the project to ensure the most effective mitigation plans are put into place.

For more information on the Savannah Maritime Association, please visit www.savannahmaritime.com

WSAV Savannah highlights last weekend's Rivers Alive Clean Up

http://www2.wsav.com/news/2011/oct/29/savannah-river-clean-ar-2626609/

Rivers Alive cleanup this Saturday at Islands Expressway Boat Ramp in Savannah

Don't forget about the Rivers Alive Cleanup this Saturday in Savannah! Please come out and help us clean up the Savannah River! A free BBQ lunch will be provided for all volunteers!

Date & Time: Saturday, October 29th at 8am

Location: Islands Expressway Boat Ramp in Savannah

Hope to see you there!

Brier Creek Fish Kill Update #3

BRIER CREEK FISH KILL Third UPDATE 10/20/11

PUBLIC MEETING TO DISCUSS FISH KILL Keysville, GA Town Hall 3pm October 30th  All public is encouraged to attend Click here for directions to Meeting         EPD says Fish Kill has Ended, thousands of fish now reported dead.    Dear River Lovers,   On Monday we reported a fish kill on Brier Creek outside of the town of Keysville Ga. We would like to share the latest information we currently have available. The City of Waynesboro ceased pulling drinking water from the creek on Monday, it is unknown if this is still the case. We have been told that a significant swing in the pH of the water is responsible for the death of the fish. It is expected that the pH shift was due to an acidic substance moving its way downstream.  EPD is reporting thousands of fish currently counted as dead, but counts are ongoing.  Water quality chemistries collected by Savannah Riverkeeper support the suspected cause of the fish kill.  The location of the discharge resulting in this fish kill has been narrowed significantly , and we are hopeful an exact location will soon be released by EPD. As this investigation unfolds please continue to stay clear of the waterway until more in depth results are available.  Please if you are fishing, drinking, or swimming in this creek, cease doing so until we have a firm grasp on the causes of this kill and the potential harm to human health.                       Your  Savannah Riverkeeper,                                       Tonya Bonitatibus                                                                                                                                                 Do you have information: If you have information about this case, please call us at 706 826-8991 or e-mail us    What we know right now: 1. Thousands of fish have been counted dead, count is still ongoing. Fish of all sizes and many species have died, snakes have been reported dead. 2. Land owners noticed the black water creek starting to turn clear on Friday. Thursday it was milk chocolate colored, also not normal. 3. Saturday land owners noticed the fish starting to die off 4. There are 4 kaolin mines with discharge permits within the suspected fish kill origination zone. A kaolin mine is the suspected cause of the fish kill. 5. Waynesboro has ceased its drinking water intake from Brier Creek 6. EPD currently has reason to suspect Aluminum Sulfate as the cause of the kill. Our independent investigation supports that theory. 7. GA Environmental Protection Division has an active investigation, no formally announced enforcement action.  8. We urge precautionary methods of interaction with the creek. Those with shallow wells along the creek might consider bottled water until results are available. 10. initial reports of a truck spill being responsible have been ruled out as the cause of the kill The Brier Creek Fish Kill Media Links: GA Public RadioDay 1Ga Public Radio Day 2 Savannah Morning NewsAtlanta Journal Constitution Augusta Chronicle Day 2 Augusta Chronicle Day 1 True Citizen Day 2ABC Augusta, WJBF NBC Augusta,  Fox 54 WFXG Additional stories were in the works when this was distributed. Links above should lead to additional  stories. Brier creek (below) is usually black making it very difficult to see through. The clarity of this waterway is indicative of a problem and hints to the possibility of an additive that causes settling being introduced to the creek. The color has begun to return. Join us on Facebook!   Next Steps:It seems that the fish kill has ended. EPD has been on-site collecting samples and hasn't witnessed fish continuing to die. Key question still remain: 1. Who is responsible- we are getting closer, but a direct discharge has not been released to the public yet? 2. What will the repercussions of causing such a devastating loss of life and recreations be for those responsible? 3. What steps will be taken to ensure that this does not happen again? We hope you will consider joining us at the public meeting at the Keysville, Ga town hall on Oct. 27th, 3 pm to discuss this kill and the steps forward towards recovery for the area.    How Can You Help?   Please if you are able, make a contribution today. Your funds are greatly needed, and will help us complete this case as thoroughly and expeditiously as possible.http://www.savannahriverkeeper.org/donate.shtml   Help us spread the word.  Please pass this e-mail along to your friends and family. It is through our members that we find our greatest relationships, and right now we need your help. Help us let everyone know what's happening on Brier Creek. Contact Us       Augusta: (706) 826-8991 Savannah:(912) 228-5158 Toll Free: (877) SRK-7711 info@savannahriverkeeper.org www.savannahriverkeeper.org Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

Savannah Riverkeeper Inc., PO Box 14908, Augusta, GA 30919 7068268991

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