EPD has been a failure for the Altamaha River
Thanks for “Mighty Altamaha at center of a feud” (Metro, March 30).
Altamaha Riverkeeper continually receives complaints that fish caught near Rayonier are foul-smelling and inedible, and that people trying to enjoy one of our greatest resources are made sick by the smell of the water downstream from Rayonier to the delta.
What does it mean when the Environmental Protection Division director says the agency is pleased with Rayonier’s timeline to clean up its discharge and Rayonier has “dealt with 30 percent of the color issue”?
To nature-based businesses, people living near the river, the multimillion-dollar seafood industry and to people recreating on the river, it means the Environmental Protection Division doesn’t protect our river or economy.
It means the Environmental Protection Division ignores state water quality regulations stating, “all waters shall be free from material related to municipal, industrial or other discharges producing turbidity, color, odor or other objectionable conditions interfering with legitimate water uses.”
Deborah Sheppard, executive director, Altamaha Riverkeeper
AJC’s changes deliver depth, clarity on issues
I have seen newspapers change over the years with added color, new layout, new type and small editorial changes. I have never seen a major daily change as dramatically and as completely as the AJC has in the past year.
There’s depth, clarity, and the ABCs of everything. There’s been coverage of the state Legislature, the test- cheating scandal, gas prices, port wars, water wars, the new tag tax, the Sanford shooting, and the where, what, why, who, when and how.
Finally — a big city newspaper that answers all the questions, and touches all the bases.
James T. Miller, Hoschton
‘One-and-done’ rule should be changed
As a longtime University of Kentucky basketball fan, I was delighted with this year’s “March Madness” results. The only problem was the constant complaining about the “one-and-done” rule. Almost everyone agrees that this rule should be changed.
NBA Commissioner David Stern also speaks in favor of this change, but the NBA players’ union has refused to budge.
It seems to me that this change would benefit everyone — especially college players and fans of college and professional basketball. Let’s move away from squabbling, which leads to greed-induced strikes and alienating fans and media.
Players and owners need to put aside their greed for the good of the game and especially for the good of the young college players.
Just do the right thing. Is that impossible today?
Bill Fokes, Braselton
‘Stand your ground’ a recipe for disaster
Imagine the outcome we might have had if Trayvon Martin had a gun and had shot George Zimmerman when he felt threatened.
Florida’s “stand your ground” law is a recipe for disaster — either way.
Peter S. Morgan Jr., Roswell
