Politics & Government

ACC Commission Decides not to Vote on Changng Wetlands Buffers in Athens, Ga.

A state court ruling, issued since the buffer changes were proposed, means it's time for a Commission work session.

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At their regular voting meeting Tuesday night, the Athens Clarke County Commission voted to hold a proposed ordinance change that would have done away with buffers around wetlands in the county.

They did so, apparently, because of a state court ruling, issued on January 15, that says all state waters, even wetlands, are protected under Georgia law by a 25-foot buffer. Athens Clarke County had proposed doing away, completely, with buffers around wetlands.

Find out what's happening in Athenswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kyle McKay, a Ph.D. student in the Odum School of Ecology, told Commissioners that the buffer around wetlands should be 50 feet, not 0 feet. He is associated with the Upper Oconee Water Network, or UOWN.

Mayor Denson spoke about the need for Commissioners to know what the state court decision means. She said buffers could influence economic development, making neighboring counties that don't 50 or 75 foot buffers more attractive. "We're going to be bypassed," the mayor said.

Find out what's happening in Athenswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

There was some discussion about whether to turn the matter over to the Legislative Review Committee, a subcommittee of the Commission, or to have a work session so the entire Commission could learn more about the state court ruling and its implications.

In the end, Commissioners supported a motion by Commissioner Mike Hamby to put the matter on hold until more could be learned about the Jan. 15 ruling.

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