Earth Day report card: Georgians battle threats to state’s natural wonders year round

The Flint River hosts a diversity of unique wildlife and has been the center of a fight over private property rights. (Matthew Pearson/WABE)

Activities promoting environmental protection will be held across Georgia on Monday to celebrate Earth Day.

However, for many conservationists the day of recognition is met with lingering concerns about decision makers who support plans they argue could have long-term detrimental effects on Georgia’s ecosystem.

Georgia environmental policy has taken center stage over the last few years on issues ranging from the proposed spaceport rocket launching pad  in Camden County, which was stopped by a local movement, to the city of Atlanta being tagged earlier this month by state environmental regulators for several violations at its largest wastewater treatment plant, including spilling ammonia, phosphorus, and E. coli contained in poorly treated effluent into the Chattahoochee River.