Open Letter To Governor Brian Kemp And to the Georgia Port Authority

Open Letter To Governor Brian Kemp And to the Georgia Port Authority From Right Thinking People in the CSRA (including those newcomers being attracted through the efforts of the Governor’s Office and the rest of the State Government). 

One of the highest profile and invested economic development efforts in the State is the Port Expansion in Savannah. The impact of that project will resonate statewide.

We in the CSRA fully support that project.

The Port Expansion is part of a competitive race among Southeastern Ports to provide accommodations for the newer, larger ships. Time is of the essence

We in the CSRA fully support the project and its sensitive timeline.

We understand that the Corps of Engineers is the “contractor” for many interstate/Federal maritime projects but must also allow input from the EPA and other national entities. We believe that it is generally good to bring concerns about the environment, wildlife, historic preservation, etc. to the table on the front end in planning such projects.

We regret that some entities make late challenges on behalf of special interests as a form of blackmail. I’m sure some such folks are well intentioned and see their role as a sort of David vs Goliath. Bless their hearts. But sometimes such efforts are made with ulterior motives.

We understand why resources might be allocated to such groups for “mitigation” efforts. Some such efforts might be well intentioned, might actually be beneficial and might be expedite the larger project’s critical path. Dedicating such resources might be irritating but is, overall, good stewardship.

Little did anyone suspect that Port mitigation would reach more than 100 miles to Augusta, not to solve a problem for the Port but to stir up new problems for the Corps and Port Authority, while holding both ends of the river hostage.

We can talk about poor local stewardship dating back decades; we can talk about who fooled whom; we can talk about political machinations, ambitions and future threats; we can even talk about the ugly social media firestorm.

I’d like to appeal to the “Better Angels of Our Nature” for the betterment of our Region and State. 

The State is making huge investments in the CSRA, for matters Cyber, Medical, Academic, Transportation etc. Augusta is growing and changing, and newcomers are attracted by the investments made by the State and others. They are also attracted by the many natural and historic resources, most notably the Savannah River as it has existed for several generations.

The Central Savannah River from below Augusta to Strom Thurman Dam does and can accommodate wildlife, recreation, transportation, economic development, industry, agriculture, etc. 

Port mitigation never had to reach Augusta to be effective. Surely, the Augusta issues can be removed from the Port of Savannah timeline allowing for proper study, authorization and funding of a Central Savannah River Solution, in good time, while expediting the Port Expansion – now.

He or She who can rise above the machinations, insults, lies and misrepresentations that got us to where it looks like Augusta vs Savannah will be the architect of the emerging greater CSRA.