By DENNIS CHASE
Environmental Columnist

Opinion articles about the governing ability with Peachtree City can be tricky since a lot of things they accomplish are outstanding when it comes to environmental matters.

And then problems with a development area begin and, from what it appears, they don't have a clue. I'm here to talk about one of those clueless areas.

There are numerous laws, regulations and ordinances which have been set up to protect our natural environment. It can be confusing to many of us when a problem comes up and we begin to look around to find out who should be looking into those problems.

The example for this column is the development of the area West of Ga. Highway 74, between the railroad tracks and the Wynnmeade subdivision north from Ga. Highway 54. This area contains several projects or parts of projects that have been the subject of discussion in the newspaper many times. As of this moment, the natural qualities of the area have been badly messed up, and the remainder is in danger. Some of the wetlands have disappeared, several small streams have been altered significantly and sediment runoff into Wynn's Pond and the Wynnmeade subdivision has been a frequent occurrence.

I spent a lot of hours sifting through Peachtree City's files for the projects associated with this project area. After my review of those files and field observations, I believe that the only surprise here is that things are not worse. I don't think it is possible to find anyone, developer or city representative, that has a clear understanding of what has happened, what will be happening next and more importantly why these events occurred as they have.

From my perspective it would be easy to provide a list of what I consider the various offenders and to detail what I believe were their particular offenses for the different projects. However, in the long run, recounting past problems doesn't really accomplish very much. I think there are developers who implement those aspects of their projects that the Peachtree officials really enforce, and little more. That doesn't apply to all developers, but the dollar savings to those developers who install only a part of a sediment and erosion control plan or who squeeze the wetlands a little bit, have an obvious financial advantage.

Who then is out there to protect our natural areas? I believe we must turn to where we as citizens have placed our trust (and tax dollars), and that is in the city's regulatory staff. The enforcement responsibility and authority exist within the city so we as citizens don't have to do the job. When plans are proposed, a series of reviews are implemented which require that a variety of protective measures be included.

However, once included in an approved plan, there must be constant oversight to ensure that all parts of the plan are installed and all are working. This concept is almost too elementary, but it is here that the system seems to be failing us. Of course they have heavy work loads, and face developers who are slow to repair improperly placed features and an even slower legal system that proving inexpensive when a developer violates one or more of the plan requirements. But there is also evidence, in the city files, of confusion over what some of the various laws require and who is suppose to enforce them. One of the best examples is the federal Clean Water Act. Everyone knows the law exists, but how it is applied, and when, is evidently a mystery.

So the result is, we are losing a part of our birthright, a right to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. We lose it while many fingers point in many other directions in the hope of stopping pinning the responsibility on anyone but ourselves. From what I saw in the files, I believe that we all share some of the responsibility for what the citizens of Wynnmeade are suffering.

Lest you come to believe that the entire deck is stacked against you and the Wynnmeade folks, there is a lot you can do. Peachtree City has some very talented and honest individuals working for them; despite what my opinions here may seem to imply.

What is lacking is strong citizen support of the existing regulations and especially for those hired to enforce those regulations. Obviously it is not possible for each of you to attend every public hearing where the controversial issues are considered and discussed. But it is clearly within your power to attend a few of them or better yet, let your representatives know that what they as City Council hear from the staff should receive their support.

At the same time, the council needs to hear from you when you believe something is not working right. Clearly it is my opinion that it is time for a hard look at this problem with the intent to take appropriate action.

The citizens of Wynnmeade deserve some help here, just like any of you were you forced to face similar problems. A better understanding might also result which would benefit all of us.

Dennis Chase, now retired, was a fish and wildlife biologist with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service for more than 26 years. Since retiring, he has worked as a consultant for Fayette County on environmental concerns, is a volunteer with the Southern Conservation Trust Inc., and has published numerous newspaper columns.

Back to the Top of the PageBack to the Opinion Home Page