House bill threatens Jekyll Island

By:

Posted: 3/9/07

Jekyll Island has provided Georgians a place to enjoy the beach without the hustle and bustle of party beaches, resorts, malls, high-rises, and the like.

The 7.5 mile-long island offers travelers the chance to enjoy the beaches' beautiful driftwood trees and natural surroundings uninterrupted by gaudy structures.

Since 1950, the island, located off the southeast corner of Georgia, has been protected by the state from development. Jekyll is home to many different kinds of flora and fauna, including endangered sea turtles, many protective dunes and marshland providing wildlife habitats.

Jekyll also is a rich source of history. In the 1800s, the country's richest people were part of the Jekyll Island Club and would spend their summers in what is now Jekyll's breathtaking historic district, where tourists can enjoy shopping, dining, bike-riding and sight-seeing.

So, with its beautiful surroundings and quiet setting, it seems like the island is removed completely from any outside political influences, right? Not a chance.

The Georgia House of Representatives has introduced a bill, HB 214, that recommends Jekyll Island be opened up for development.

Yes, this means bulldozing those protected dunes, destroying sea turtle nests (according to www.georgiaseaturtles.org, there are 114 active nest sites to date), threatening marshland and forest habitats and demolishing the beauty of Jekyll's natural setting.

The Georgia Speaker of the House Glenn Richardson is pushing for HB 214 to be passed so the island can produce more money for the state of Georgia.

Never mind the environment being threatened. Never mind having a family-friendly and affordable place to vacation. Never mind the Jekyll Island Foundation and Georgia Sea Turtle Center's protection efforts. Never mind the unmatchable beauty the island provides to its visitors.

Jekyll is one of the few places left these days where people can go and enjoy nature's serenity. If the state spent money on improving already existing structures on the island, profits might increase. With high-rise condos (starting at $300,000 and ranging to $1 million each) lining the beach, the island no longer will be affordable (or even enjoyable) for the "ordinary" people who cannot afford to spend that much money.

If Jekyll becomes a "resort" island, it will become a developed, commercial, traffic-jammed location. People need a haven like present-day Jekyll Island to get away from that entire ruckus.

The bill is trying to be passed under the guise that the development is what's best for the public. However, the issue has not had much publicity. The articles that have been written have yet to make front page news.

Jekyll needs Georgians to speak out against this bill so the House representatives know there is opposition to HB 214 (which has to be passed by March 27).

If you would like to speak out in favor of wildlife protection and the preservation of "Georgia's Jewel," please write to or e-mail the representatives who sponsored the bill, found at: http://www.legis.ga.gov/.

Jekyll is a special place with special memories for all who visit. It is only fair that future generations get the opportunity to experience its unique natural setting.

Get involved to help protect Jekyll Island's environment and atmosphere. Its beauty has carried it into the present, and should continue to carry it into the future.

- Ashley Chasteen is a senior from Marietta majoring in management