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Coastal marshes rival the tropical rain forests in productivity and provide comparable habitat diversity. Georgia's coastal marshlands are home to deer, turkey, raccoon, opossum, snake, fish, crab and shrimp. The coastal marshlands also drive the commercial seafood industry and a thriving eco-tourism industry. Coastal tourism is the largest industry in Georgia, primarily driven by nature-based activities in and around coastal marshlands.

Georgia's coast, however, is facing development pressure and rapid growth. The state's permitting process for development has become little more than a rubber stamp process for developers.

For that reason, Sierra Club is asking the State of Georgia to consistently enforce the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act by requiring developers to consider the environmental impacts before altering these pristine wetlands to build structures, roads or docks.

To join our efforts to promote responsible use and continued protection of Georgia's coastal marshes, please contact: Frank Quinby at 912-638-2963 or frankquinby@bellsouth.net; and Colleen Kiernan at 404-607-1262 ext 229 or colleen.kiernan@sierraclub.org.