T H E G E O R G I A C O A S T A L M A N A G E M E N T P R O G R A M Georgia APRIL-JUNE, 2003 Views from the Flotilla New Sidney Lanier Bridge Opening Ceremonies April 7, 2003 Sound VOL.9, NO.2 Photos by: Lea King Inside This Issue: Views from the Flotilla Reflections on the Bridge Beach Water Quality Public Notification Program CRD - 25 Years CRD's Side-Scan Sonar Analyzing Dock Impacts on Georgia Salt Marshes GCMP Staff Reaches Out Parent-Child Fishing Derby PAGE 2 THE GEORGIA SOUND S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 From the Director's Desk Susan Shipman SHIP TO SHORE... Coastal Resources Division Director REFLECTIONS ON THE BRIDGE Little did I know in October 1989 upon moving into DNR's Coastal Regional Headquarters that those of us assigned to the southern and western exposure offices were in for an unparalleled visual treat in the years to come ----- the construction of the new Sidney Lanier Bridge. It is hard to recall the approach to One Conservation Way pre- March 1995, when construction of the south bound roadway approach was initiated. On the other hand, it seems like only yesterday the road bed began arching skyward. When we thought we'd seen the most amazing aspect of suspension bridge construction, something new would unfold. I have vivid mental photographs of what were for me monumental days in the birth of the new bridge: Watching with awe as ant-sized workmen guided mammoth concrete girders into place to form the road bed foundation.....I could hardly watch for fear a cable would snap and they'd be crushed.... The bridge's eerie disappearance from sight on foggy days.... The numerous thunderstorms rolling through springs and summers for eight years, shrouding the towers and cranes in the blackest of clouds..... The blue sparks arcing from the northern tower crane as I witnessed the most impressive lightning strike ever ..... The towering crane booms behaving as mammoth weather vanes in high wind..... The human tragedy when an individual chose to end their life by way of the new bridge, and our Marine Services Building served as a temporary morgue..... The emergency vehicles poised for what seemed like endless hours as the crane operator heroically plucked a teetering fallen scaffold to safety..... The first cable stay being connected..... The June 1999 disaster as a custom made form traveler tumbled down the north tower..... The anchoring of the hurricane stays as Hurricane Floyd approached in September 1999...... The linkage of north and south approaches as concrete was poured by floodlight on a cold night in February 2002 .... To the travelers on Highway 17, including many DNR staff who commute from the southwest, the harbor pilots and maritime traffic using the port ---- we join in your elation at unimpeded transit. Hats off to the many private sector engineers and construction workers who had any part in the bridge's construction. To those fearless crane operators who most surely have a guardian angel perched on each shoulder every step of the hike to their perches 500 feet above the water, you epitomize profiles in courage! To DOT personnel who have sweated blood and tears to not only construct the new bridge but kept the old bridge operating with bailing wire, ingenuity and cannibalized parts for so many years, we salute you. Kudos to our friend and DOT Project Engineer Lisa Sikes and Assistant Engineer David Bigelow, with whom DNR has liaisoned over these eight years on a myriad of bridge-related issues. Having personally witnessed your thousands (literally!) of days of efforts, we at the Coastal Regional Headquarters have a unique appreciation of your monumental accomplishment. DNR has been somewhat peripherally involved with the bridge project up to this point ---- from the various environmental permits and clearances surrounding water bottoms and protected species, to preliminary discussions regarding disposal of the old bridge material at DNR's offshore artificial reefs. We look forward to more active involvement in this next phase just begun....the dismantling and demolition of the old Sidney Lanier. Concrete from the old bridge will take on new "life" when it is placed at Georgia's artificial reefs off our southern coast late summer. Coastal Resources Division's reef program will be working very closely with Scott Bridge Company and Georgia DOT on this phase. No doubt once the old bridge is no longer a backdrop, the new Sidney Lanier will assume an even grander visage. While I felt tremendous pride at the April 7th ribbon cutting, as did the many DNR associates aboard agency vessels in the Dedication Flotilla, I confess to a touch of melancholy now that the construction is finished and this slow motion movie of engineering marvel has ended. Yet I gaze in awe at the end of each work day at the State's highest suspension bridge looming large a short distance away. I am indeed fortunate to have had a front row seat for the birth of the new Sidney Lanier Bridge ----a prolonged labor, but well worth the wait! THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 THE GEORGIA SOUND PAGE 3 Beach Water Quality By: Lea King Public Affairs Coordinator Public Notification Program Four years ago, with funding from the state legislature, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Resources Division (CRD) began a new coastal water quality monitoring program. Now, CRD is joining forces with the Georgia Division of Public Health and the DNR Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to extend the current monitoring program to include a public health notification program designed to enhance swimmer beach safety. The notification program, consisting of media notification and beach signage, will be utilized to notify the swimming public in the event of harmful bacteria levels appearing in beach water. The three agencies are currently working with local governments to develop a protocol for just such circumstances. With the passage of the Beaches Environmental Assessment and Coastal Health (BEACH) Act in October 2000, the federal Clean Water Act was amended to include significant new swimmer protection provisions. The law requires states to adopt improved water quality standards for pathogens and pathogen indicators and requires the United States Environmental Protection Public notification signs will be posted at designated beach locations, such as the Pier of St. Simons Island, to notify the public of beach water quality. Photo by Jan Mackinnon Agency (EPA) to conduct studies and develop improved microbiological water quality criteria guidance. Under the BEACH program, federal funds are now available to assist state and local governments in developing and implementing monitoring and public notification programs for their coastal recreational waters. Using federal funds from the BEACH program, CRD launched a pilot study Pubic Notification Beach Signs in May to test beach water for the bacterial indicator enterococcus at one monitoring site on St. Simons, two sites on Jekyll, and two on Tybee Island. CRD BEACH WATER QUALITY MONITORING will continue its standard testing for fecal coliform at three sites on St. Simons, two sites on Sea Island, four sites on Jekyll, and four sites on Tybee. The focus of the EPA funded pilot study is to determine the best methods for detecting harmful bacteria in beach water. High levels of fecal coliform or enterococcus indicate that there may be other disease causing pathogens in the water, such as E.coli, shigellosis, Norwalk virus, cholera, or hepatitis. Once the study results are available, CRD will start testing beach water regularly for the enterococcus bacteria. During the six-month pilot study, public notification signs will be posted on the FOR SWIMMER HEALTH, THIS BEACH WATER IS TESTED WEEKLY FOR BACTERIA. BACTERIA LEVEL IS ACCEPTABLE Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health DHR For more information contact the Glynn County Health Department Environmental Health Unit at 912-264-3931. ThiTs hsiigsnsisghnoswhsotwhsaththaet tbhaecbtearciatelreiavelel visel is accAepcctaebpltea.ble. SwiSmwmiminmg iinsgOisK.OK. beaches near the designated testing sites to explain the monitoring program. In BEACH the event that high bacterial levels are detected at any of the sampling sites, CRD will then notify the Division of Public Health through the Glynn or Chatham County Health Departments. The health department(s) will issue an advisory to the public through the media about the high bacteria level and the health risks WATER QUALITY MONITORING associated with swimming in the contaminated beach water. Glynn County, the Jekyll Island Authority (JIA), or the City of Tybee Island will activate signage at the sampling sites to notify the public as well. EPD will be notified and will begin an investigation to identify the source of contamination and work with the ATTENTION BEACH WATER TESTING INDICATES A HIGH LEVEL OF BACTERIA THAT INCREASES RISK OF ILLNESS. responsible party to rectify the situation. When tests indicate bacteria levels have declined, the health department(s) will issue a media release to notify the public, SWIMMING IN THIS AREA IS NOT RECOMMENDED and the county, City of Tybee Island, or the JIA will deactivate the warning signs. Please Try Another Beach Access BACTERIA LEVEL IS HIGH For more beach water sampling information contact CRD at (912) 264-7218. For more public health information contact the Environmental Health Units of Glynn County Health Department at (912) 264-3931 or Chatham County Health Department at (912) 356-2160. Georgia Department of Human Resources Division of Public Health DHR For more information contact the Glynn County Health Department Environmental Health Unit at 912-264-3931. ThTishsiigsnsisghnowshs othwats tthheabtatchteerbiaalcetveerliias hleigvheland high anpdotepnotitaelnlytihaallrymhfual.rmful. SwSimwimmimnigngisisNNOOTTRREECOOMMMMEENNDDEDE.D. THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PAGE 4 THE GEORGIA SOUND S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 Coastal Resources Division Celebrates 25 Years 1978 Coastal Resources Division is created. Headquartered in Brunswick 1978 Supreme Court of Georgia adopts three nautical miles as boundary of State's waters 1986 Atlantic Sturgeon research begins 1986 Amazon Venture spills 500,000 gallons of oil into the Savannah River 1979 Inshore Sportfish Tagging Program begins - target is 5,000 fish 1980 CRD begins participation in Sea Turtle Carcass Stranding Network 1982 State/Federal Cooperative Fisheries Statistics Program funded 1988 1st Sport Restoration Inshore Reef Project - Twin Sisters 1979 11 Criteria for opening/closing fishing seasons established in Georgia law 1985 DNR implements size limits on spotted sea trout and red drum 1989 CRD new regional headquarters is completed 1989 1st comprehensive sportfishing regulations - 17 species 1979 Shore Protection Act passed 1985 1st saltwater recreational harvest (creel) survey THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT 1990 1st Parent - Child Fishing Derby ~ Continued on Page 5 ~ P R O G R A M S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 ~ Continued from Page 4 ~ THE GEORGIA SOUND PAGE 5 1990 1st Nearshore Reef built - "SAV" 1990 roller trawl gear is prohibited in state waters 1992 Earth Day Nature Trail at CRD headquarters is completed 1997 R/V George T. Bagby is retired 1991 1st public dock built on the coast by DNR using State and Sportfish Restoration funds 1995 CRD assumes responsibility for dock permits 1998 Georgia's CoastalArk hits the state's roadways 1996 1st CoastFest is held 1998 Georgia General Assembly approves controlled access system for commercial blue crab fishery and sets number of licenses at 159 1998 Georgia Coastal Management Act is passed 1991 Turtle Excluder Devices (TED's) required in Georgia shrimp trawl fishery 1991 Shellfish Monitoring Program moves from EPD to CRD Coast19a98l Resources Division Georgia Coastal Management Act is Celebratpaesssed 25 Years ~ Continued on Page 6 ~ THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PAGE 6 ~ Continued from Page 5 ~ THE GEORGIA SOUND S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 Coastal Resources Division Celebrates 25 Years 2002 Marine Sportfish Population Health Study begins 1999 CRD begins Coastal Water Quality Monitoring Program 2000 Marine Sportfish Carcass Recovery Project begins 2002 Georgia requests a fisheries resource disaster declaration for the blue crab fishery 2000 30th anniversary of Coastal Marshlands Protection Act 2001 1st beach reef established - "TC" 2003 R/V Anna celebrates 30 years serving the citizens of Georgia 2000 CRD takes delivery of R/V Marguerite 2002 New York City subway cars are used to enhance artificial reefs "CCA" 2003 The Georgia Coastal Management Program is reauthorized by the Georgia General Assembly THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 THE GEORGIA SOUND PAGE 7 By: Nancy Butler Public Affairs Coordinator CRD's Side-Scan Sonar Works Overtime In 2002, Coastal Resources Division (CRD) purchased a state-of-the-art, all digital Klein System 3000 side-scan sonar integrated with magnetometer. The purchase of the $100,000 system was made with Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) Project Enhancement Funds. Klein sonar has been the military's choice of side-scan sonars and they recently purchased 14 new sonars to be deployed to the Persian Gulf area. Intended primarily as a tool for CRD development projects such as artificial reef monitoring, pier and boat ramp site selection and CRD's new System 3000 utilizes the latest technology in digital side-scan sonar images. permitting, this sonar has proven to be versatile in many other applications, both on the coast and inland. CRD personnel have assisted the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Historic Preservation Division in surveys of the CSS Georgia, CSS Nashville, survey of the Ogeechee River for cannon recovery, and the Chattahoochee River near La Grange for a survey of submerged civil war bridges. The CRD commercial fisheries program has also seen many uses of the side-scan sonar in locating small crab traps lost when trap floats were cut in a turf war in McIntosh County tidal creeks. Additionally, a survey was conducted at the Brunswick waterfront to identify gear left on a capsized shrimp trawler. In January of this year, a small Cessna plane crashed off Fernandina Beach, Florida. After several days, the Coast Guard called off the search for the missing plane and the remaining three occupants that were conducting a Right Whale aerial survey. Multiple DNR divisions worked together and used the sidescan sonar to locate the downed plane. Once located, the plane was raised and all victims were recovered. In March, CRD received a call from the US Navy salvage office, working under the direction of NASA, and tasked with lake and reservoir recovery operations of space shuttle Columbia parts. Current recovery efforts are concentrated at the flight data recorder recovery site, the Toledo Bend reservoir near the Texas/ Louisiana border. Recovery operations utilizing two Klein System 3000 side-scan sonars were in need of additional units to speed recovery efforts. At this time only a small number of system 3000 units have been produced. Recognizing the importance of the US Navy Salvage Office mission and of the importance to assist NASA in shuttle recovery efforts, CRD has loaned its side-scan sonar to the Navy to assist in recovery efforts. The State of Georgia and its citizens can be proud of the efforts of CRD's state-of-the-art side-scan sonar and of the many varied recovery missions in which it has played a pivotal and prominent role. THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PAGE 8 THE GEORGIA SOUND S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 Analyzing the Impacts of Recreational Docks Michael Robinson Dr. Clark R. Alexander Skidaway Institute of Oceanography on the Salt Marshes of Georgia Applied Coastal Research Laboratory Georgia Southern University 10 Ocean Science Circle 10 Ocean Science Circle Savannah, GA 31411 using GIS and Field-based techniques Savannah, GA 31411 As population pressure increases along the Georgia coast it becomes more and more important to understand the health of our coastal resources. The establishment of baseline and trend data regarding these resources is a very necessary tool in assisting coastal managers in their decision-making processes. The growing coastal population has greatly increased the number of recreational docks that extend across the marsh, impacting marsh ecosystems through shading. Although several studies regarding the significance of shading impacts associated with docks have been conducted in the Northeast, characteristics of insolation and estuarine habitats there are quite different from those found in the Southeastern US and thus the conclusions from those studies are not readily transferable. Prior to this year, no such systematic study has been conducted specifically examining the southeastern US, with the exception of one limited study in South Carolina (Sanger and Holland 2002). The Georgia Coastal Zone Management Program is supporting a study of dock proliferation and shading impacts on Wilmington Island, GA in Chatham County (Figure 1). Michael Robinson, a student in the Department of Geology and Geography at Georgia Southern University, is carrying out this study as his senior project. Robinson's research is using aerial photography and field data within a Geographic Information System (GIS) to quantify the salt marsh area directly affected by docks. Maps showing the footprint of docks from 1970 to 2000 were created to quantify changes in dock area over marsh as development has ensued. Indicators of biological responses to shading impacts (e.g., plant height and stem density) were quantified for salt marsh grasses beneath and adjacent to docks for a range of time periods, dock orientations, and dock heights. In addition to their presentation here, the preliminary results from this project have been presented at the Georgia Wild Game Supper in Atlanta (Fig. 2), at a Phi Kappa Phi Research symposium and at a Sigma Xi colloquium. In our opinion, dissemination of management-relevant research results in a number of venues is a mandatory step in any study with societal ramifications. Wilmington Island, Georgia Recreational Docks in 2000 N W E S Base Source: Created by: Chatham County Metropolitan Planning Commission M. Robinson, 1/19/03 Georgia Southern University Applied Coastal Research Laboratory 0 3,600 7,200 14,400 Feet Figure 1: Extent of docks present on Wilmington Island in 2000 (locations and lengths shown by white lines). Figure 2: Mike Robinson (R) explaining his research to Governor Sonny Purdue at the Wild Game Supper. THE GEORGIA COASTAL M A N A G E M E N T ~ Continued on Page 9 ~ P R O G R A M S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 THE GEORGIA SOUND PAGE 9 ~ Continued from Page 8 ~ GIS is a computer-based mapping system with a relational database containing information about objects in the map. The GIS software was used as a way to manage all the spatial data regarding docks. High-resolution aerial photographs of the study area were used in the GIS as base maps. Polygons representing the footprint of each of the individual docks were created from the photos. The relational database recorded data about dock identification number, total area, and directional orientation. Historic air photos from 1970 to 2000, representing roughly 5-year intervals, were used to place docks into the year set in which they were constructed. Maps were then generated combining all the year sets together, visually displaying the patterns of dock construction on Wilmington Island from 1970 to 2000 (Fig. 1). Field data were collected along transects beneath docks in the study area. These measurements included the height and width of the boardwalk, as well as plant height and stem density of the vegetation. These parameters were collected along transects oriented perpendicular to the dock, using a 0.1 m2 sampling area, with sampling sites under the center of the dock and at points 5 meters on either side of the dock. Integrating these sample data into GIS-based maps and databases creates a baseline of data that is useful for both present and future analysis and comparison. Preliminary data analysis from this study documents the increase of dock structures as development of Wilmington Island has occurred and demonstrates that there is a significant impact on the marsh from these structures. The number of docks increased 74% between 1970 and 2000 (from 173 to 301 docks) and appears to be increasing at an even greater rate in the past decade (Figure 3). Over the same time period, total dock area increased 89%, showing that the structures were increasing in number and in average length as well (assuming that the average area of the terminal platforms remain roughly the same). Estimates based on this proliferation rate suggest that by 2025 Wilmington Island could host 460 docks with a total area of approximately 1,000,000 sq. ft. According to the Savannah Area Geographic Information System (SAGIS) Chatham County parcel database, there are approximately 610 lots that have riparian rights on the island. Thus, 50% of riparian parcels presently have docks and 75% of riparian parcels will have docks in 2025. Number of Docks Year Figure 3: Number of docks on Wilmington Island THE GEORGIA COASTAL M A N A G E M E N T ~ Continued on Page 10 ~ P R O G R A M PAGE 10 THE GEORGIA SOUND SPRING ,2003 ~ Continued from Page 9 ~ Approximately half (52.7%; 259,224 sq. ft.) of the total dock area in 2000 (491,697 sq. ft.) was constructed above and thus affecting saltmarsh vegetation. This trend has been steadily increasing by about 1% a year since 1975 (Figure 4). Average plant stem density, an indicator of vegetation productivity, displayed a significant (54%) decrease due to dock shading effects (Figure 5). Plant height was not significantly affected by dock structures. These preliminary results highlight the impacts of dock structures on salt marsh habitats. More rigorous analyses of all the data are presently occurring. Owing to the morphology of Wilmington Island, we found that most docks were oriented northwest-southeast, pointing to the need for data collection at other sites that offer docks in other orientations. Additional samples from east-west and north-south oriented docks are needed to evaluate the significance of orientation on shading impacts to vegetation. Area over marsh (%) Number of Spartina stems (per 0.1m 2 ) Figure 4: Percentage of total dock area over marsh. 30 25 20 15 10 5 0 SD 5 m left SD Center Sampling Location SD 5 m right Figure 5: Average stem density values centered under and 5-m to either side of dock structures. NEXT STEPS Although we have been able to determine that an impact to the marsh is occurring, our present dataset does not allow us to evaluate the importance of this impact. We know that stem density is decreased by half under docks but we do not know whether that is important for our salt marsh ecosystems in the Southeast. Because salt marsh grasses are the major carbon source to our estuarine system, the quantitative relationship between the observed 50% decrease in stem density and any decrease in carbon productivity needs to be established. Neither our present study nor the Sanger and Holland (2002) study have evaluated the impact of shading on the carbon input to the marsh ecosystem. Further, the impacts of dock-associated structures (e.g., floats) that rest on the bottom at low tide need to be examined. These impacts include decreasing marsh and water column primary productivity through removal of habitat, increased turbidity in the water column, and alteration of marsh habitats by coarsening sediment grain size and compacting sediments under the float. REFERENCES Sanger, D. M. and Holland, A. F., 2002. Evaluation of the Impacts of Dock Structures on South Carolina Estuarine Environments, Technical Report Number 99. South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Marine Resource Division, Marine Research Institute, Ft. Johnson, SC. Available online at: http://www.scdhec.net/ocrm/PUBS/dockstudy.pdf THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 THE GEORGIA SOUND GCMP and You P A G E 11 GCMP Staff "Reaches Out:" By: Jill Huntington An update on recent noteworthy activities Coastal Technical Assistant This past winter has been a busy season for the Georgia Coastal Management Program (GCMP) technical assistance (TA) staff as we have been working to address resource issues such as marsh die-off, assisting local governments and stakeholder groups, and educating hundreds of school children through the Coastal Ark. It has always been a goal of the GCMP to reach the broadest audience possible with our education and outreach programs, we have been fortunate to have two recent and rare opportunities to share our message about the coastal environment with people from all across the state. One such opportunity took form as staff accepted the Carl Vinson Institute of Government's (CVIOG) invitation to host a session on Coastal Environmental Education at the Georgia Municipal Clerks/Financial Officers Association annual meeting. On March 20, more than 50 municipal employees from around the state met at the UGA Marine Extension Service in Brunswick for day-long program that included a tour and demonstration trawl aboard the UGA shrimp vessel, the R/V Bulldog; an introduction to coastal ecology and water quality; an overview of marine commercial and recreational fisheries; and a discussion of how city employees can positively impact water quality through the course of their work. Speakers included the Georgia Nonpoint Education for Local Officials (NELO) Coordinator, and Coastal Resources Divison staff. The program ended with an ecology tour of salt marshes and St. Simons Island beaches. In addition to the highly successful program with municipal clerks and financial officers, GCMP staff hosted a breakfast program for Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) employees attending the Environmental Education Alliance conference in Savannah. With about 20 DNR employees in attendance, the morning began with an update of the Department's strategic planning process, by Bob Donoghue (P2AD); followed by an address from Mary Elfner, State Water Conservationist; and ended with a spirited demonstration of the educational activities of the GCMP and Marine Fisheries, including local government education, the Coastal Ark, Parent-Child Fishing Derbys, and of course, CoastFest! In the coming months, the GCMP will be hosting a number of additional programs for a variety of audiences, including county commissioners, Master Naturalists, and hundreds, possibly thousands of school children. Looks like the spring will be a busy season for us, too! For more information about the outreach and local government assistance activities of the GCMP, please contact us at (912)264-7218, or visit our "work in progress" website, at http://www.dnr.state.ga.us/coastal. THE GEORGIA COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM PAGE 12 THE GEORGIA SOUND S P R I N G , 2 0 0 3 Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! 13th Annual Golden Isles Parent-Child Fishing Derby The catch-and-release derby competition is open to children age 5-12 years old. Saturday, June 7, 2003 8:30 am - 12:00 noon All participants must be pre-registered. Contact the Brunswick YWCA at (912) 265-4100 or DNR Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218 for details and registration forms. West Mackay River Fishing Pier Brunswick, Georgia Registration Deadline Wednesday, June 4, 2003 Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! Go Fish! The Georgia Sound is produced quarterly by the Georgia Coastal Management Program. If you would like more information on the Georgia Coastal Management Program, visit our web site at www.dnr.state.ga.us/dnr/coastal or contact Coastal Resources Division at (912) 264-7218. Layout & Design by: Lea King For address corrections or to be added or deleted from the mailing list, please contact Lea King at (912) 264-7218. Llea_king@coastal.dnr.state.ga.us Contributors to this issue: Dr. Clark Alexander, Nancy Butler, Elizabeth Cheney, Doug Haymans, Jill Huntington, Michael Robinson, and Susan Shipman. This publication is made possible through efforts by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Deadline for the Summer 2003 edition is June 1, 2003. We welcome suggestions of articles and photography. T H E A P R I L - J U N E , 2 0 0 3 G EO R G I A C O A S T A L M A N A G E M E N T P R O G R A M Georgia Sound VOL.9, NO.2 Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division One Conservation Way, Suite 300 Brunswick, GA 31520-8687