HomeMy Public PortalAboutLetter to Attorney General Carr- Deep Well Need 6-19-18MAYOR
Jason Buelterman
CITY COUNCIL
Barry Brown Mayor pro tem
John Branigin
Jackson Butler
Wanda Doyle
Julie Livingston
Monty Parks
June 19, 2018
CITY OF TYBEE ISLAND
Christopher M. Carr, Attorney General
Office of the Attorney General
40 Capitol Square, SW
Atlanta, GA 30334
Dear Attorney General Carr,
CITY MANAGER
Shawn Gillen
CITY CLERK
Janet LeViner
CITY ATTORNEY
Edward M. Hughes
I am writing in reference to efforts being made by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority's (GEFA)
to resolve an issue with Layne Christensen Company. This issue has significant impacts on the future of
Tybee Island.
Several years ago, GEFA contracted with Layne as well as firms to engineer and design in an effort to
construct a functioning deep well to extract water from the Cretaceous aquifer on Tybee Island. At
present, Tybee has only one source of potable water. This source, the Floridan aquifer, is regulated by
the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) of the Department of Natural Resources. The EPD
limits the amount of water that Tybee and other users are allowed to withdraw from the Floridan aquifer
so that the aquifer does not experience saltwater intrusion.
Without another source of water, Tybee faces two looming crises. First, we will soon exceed our
withdrawal permit. Secondly, when the Floridan aquifer under Tybee experiences saltwater intrusion, we
will have no source of potable water.
The deep well to the Cretaceous aquifer was identified by the Governor's office as the most viable option
for a secondary water source for Tybee. This solution has worked well in other places.
I am writing for two reasons. First, I am urging your office to move forward as expeditiously as possible
to conclude this matter with Layne. Second, please take into consideration Tybee's need for another
deep well. While a financial reward that reimburses the State may satisfy the State's financial concerns,
it does not resolve Tybee's water availability issue.
P.O. Box 2749 — 403 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749
(866) 786-4573 — FAX (866) 786-5737
www.cityoftybee.org
June 19, 2018
Page 2
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me should you
need any additional information.
Sincer ly,
ason Buelterman, Mayor
City of Tybee Island, GA
CC:
Kevin Clark, GEFA
The Hon. Jesse Petrea
The Hon. Ben Watson
The Hon. Nathan Deal
P.O. Box 2749 — 403 Butler Avenue, Tybee Island, Georgia 31328-2749
(866) 786-4573 — FAX (866) 786-5737
www.cityoftybee.org