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If you are lucky, you’ve had a chance to visit Jekyll Island,
a scenic barrier island off Georgia’s
coast. It’s home to one of the few open and easily accessible stretches of
beach in Georgia
and an important nesting ground for sea turtles. It is also a state park that
belongs to each and every one of us.
The fate of one
of its most accessible and breathtaking beaches is at the center of a
controversial redevelopment proposal that would pack 64 acres of the 7.5 mile
long barrier island with condos, shops, and hotels.
After efforts to protect this central beach moved forward in the state legislature the committee in charge of oversight on the island (the Jekyll Island Authority) announced that the developer, Linger Longer, will redesign its development to preserve the integrity and openess of Jekyll's central beach.
This is a great victory but one that will need continued scrutiny since the legislature has yet to mandate protections for this beach.
Brief Summary
Jekyll Island is one of Georgia's 12 barrier islands and is truely a unique spot for appreciating Georgia's beautiful coast and salt marsh, viewing wildlife, and appreciating Georgia's history. It is by far one of the most accessible yet wild islands available to Georgians.
The island was purchased by the state in 1947 and became a state park in 1950. In 1971 legislation protected 65 percent of the island from future development, a step that preserved the wild character of the island and has allowed the island to flourish as an important nesting ground for sea turtles.
In recent years the status of the remaining 35 percent of the island has been the source of much debate. There is no doubt that redevelopment of some of the older facilities on the island is needed, however, it is also clear that overdevelopment could negatively effect the entire island.
Environment Georgia only supports redevelopment that will
prioritize preservation of Jekyll’s wild ecosystems over Hilton Head-type
tourism, protect Jekyll’s magnificent beaches by keeping redevelopment away
from the dunes, and implement green, low-impact building standards.
