Georgia sound, Vol. 9, no. 4 (Oct. - Dec. 2003

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

OCTOBER-DECEMBER , 2003

Sound VOL.9, NO.4

CooaassttFeesstt 2003!
A Day of Learning & fun
Where possibly could snakes, alligators, turtles, sea critters, and over 7,000 folks meet face to face and nose to nose for a day of learning and fun? Why, CoastFest, of course! On the first Saturday of October, record crowds enjoyed Georgia's largest celebration of our state's coastal natural resources as they participated in the 8th annual CoastFest. Hosted by Coastal Resources Division, the event welcomed over 90 environmental exhibitors that provided event goers with interactive exhibits where they could "do, see, and touch" as they learned. Visitors could be "biologists for a day" aboard research vessels or even travel back in time thanks to living history demonstrators. Three programs rotating throughout the day captured the attention and educated crowds of excited participants. "Make-it-take-it" projects were a big event hit as well as a student art contest exhibit displaying over 500 pieces of artwork. Young and old alike learned about their natural world at this family-oriented free event. The excitement continues along the Marshes of Glynn next year on October 2, 2004 as the 9th annual CoastFest event celebrates the rich natural resources of coastal Georgia - hope to see you there!

CoastFest `03 event logo artist Feliciti Mocilnikar (R) was congratulated and
thanked by CRD Director Susan Shipman (L) for her artistic contribution.

"Time traveling" living history demonstrations carried visitors to the coastal Georgia of long ago.

Taking part in CoastFest activities was all part of the day's integration of "learning and fun" and included demonstrations and
"make it - take it" projects.

Costumed characters, including a sea turtle, starfish, seahorse, and blue crab, greeted visitors.

Inside This Issue:
CoastFest 2003!
New CRD Assistant Director For Ecological Services Named

Short Strikes GCMP & You From the Director's Desk Scenes from CoastFest

"Pop" Hansen, 91 years young, again enjoyed his job as official greeter at the 2003 event.
Polaris: Right Whale Update Spotlight on the Artist CRD Web Site

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CRD Welcomes New Assistant Director

for Ecological Services

On October 1st, Coastal Resources Division (CRD) welcomed Brad Gane as the Division's new Assistant Director for Ecological Services. Brad comes to CRD from the Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM), where he had served as ADEM's Coastal Section Chief since 1994. In that position, Brad was responsible for managing Alabama's natural resources through permitting, monitoring, and enforcement of developmentrelated coastal activities.

By: Nancy Butler & Lea King
Public Affairs Coordinators

Important programs that were put in place during Brad's tenure include the development and implementation of a coastal non-point source pollution control management program, wetland restoration and mitigation projects, and mitigation bank policies. Brad's additional areas of involvement included beach management, nourishment and restoration, offshore oil and gas, federal navigation projects and their maintenance, and beneficial uses of dredged material.

"Brad brings years of relevant environmental experience to CRD," according to CRD director, Susan Shipman, "and his background with Alabama's Coastal Area Management Program will help us further strengthen Georgia's Program." As a state planner with the Alabama Coastal Area Board, Brad joint authored Alabama's Coastal Area Management Program, attaining local, State, and Federal approval in 1979.

Coastal Resources Division welcomes Brad Gane as the new Assistant Director for Ecological Services.

Adding to his coastal experience, Brad served on the Alabama Coastal Area Erosion Task Force created by the State Legislature and charged with investigating the feasibility of developing a shoreline management plan for the State. As Water/Land Unit Chief of the Mobile Branch of the ADEM Field Operation Division, Brad directed a facility compliance inspection program for southwest Alabama. He developed a coastal, ambient water environment-sampling program, including extensive field sampling of water and bottom sediments. He was a member of several interstate technical committees including the Mississippi Alabama Mitigation Bank Review Team, the Mobile Bay National Estuary Program Technical Advisory Committee, the US EPA Gulf of Mexico Program, and the Alabama Coastal Program Interagency Committee. Brad was also the technical and policy advisor to the Coastal Resource Advisory Committee and served as Alabama's representative to the Regional Response Team that conducted catastrophic oil spill planning and response in the Southeastern United States.

Since joining CRD, Brad has "hit the ground running" to learn about coastal Georgia issues by visiting sites and meeting with government agencies and local officials and interests in the CRD service area. As the Assistant Director for Ecological Services, Brad will manage a variety of CRD programs, including water quality monitoring, shellfish research, the CoastalArk education program, Coastal Incentive Grants, local government technical assistance, marsh, shore and dock permitting, CoastFest, and outreach and education.

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Short Strikes

By: Spud Woodward Assistant Director for
Marine Fisheries

News from the Marine Fisheries Section

Where Have All the Blue Crabs Gone?
In recent times, this is a question frequently asked by those who love to catch, cook, and eat the tasty crustacean. Five years of drought and disease have taken a toll on Georgia's blue crab population. Thus far in 2003, the commercial harvest remains over 70% below average, while blue crab catches in scientific surveys are over 90% below average. A record low commercial harvest was set in 2002 and it appears that 2003 may be just as low. Although unmeasured, recreational catches have plummeted during recent years. In July, the Coastal Resources Division (CRD) applied for federal financial assistance on behalf of Georgia's blue crab harvesters. In August, the National Marine Fisheries Service approved the application and $89,419 is being distributed to eligible individuals. While some blue crab harvesters have seen increased catches in recent weeks, CRD staff and many blue crab harvesters, both recreational and commercial, believe that further action must be taken to help bring Georgia's blue crab population back. For more information contact CRD's Doug Haymans at (912) 264-7218.
Artificial Reef Enhancement in High Gear
Over the summer, several artificial reefs sites have been enhanced due to the generosity of the business community. A 200' deck barge, donated by Nationwide Equipment Company, was sunk at Artificial Reef F during the summer. The 150' hull of the dredge CREST was donated and sunk by Kimmens Contracting, Inc. at Artificial Reef KBY east of Cumberland Island. Another 120' deck barge loaded with concrete culvert was deployed at Artificial Reef CCA, located 21 miles east of Ossabaw Island. In the last Georgia Sound, it was reported that demolition of the old Sidney Lanier Bridge lift had begun. Since that time twelve barge loads of reinforcing steel and concrete totaling over 20,000 tons have been deployed at Artificial Reef F east of St. Simons Island. Speaking of artificial reefs, an 11-pound, 5-ounce Atlantic spadefish caught by Diedra Helmey Jeffcoat of Savannah at Artificial Reef L has been recognized as a new Women's Georgia Saltwater Gamefish Record. For more information on Georgia's offshore artificial reef program contact Henry Ansley of CRD at (912) 264-7218.
Statewide Fishing Participation Survey Begins
Each year, hundreds of thousands of Georgia residents take to the waters in search of a memorable catch. Some fish only in freshwater and some only in saltwater - some do both. Since the 1950's, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources has received funds through the Federal Aid in Sport Fish Restoration Program (SFR). These funds, which are generated by manufacturer-level excise taxes on fishing gear and a portion of the federal fuel tax, are provided to each state and territory based on fishing license sales and land/water area. In states with coastal waters, such as Georgia, SFR funds are allocated so that both freshwater and saltwater anglers receive proportional benefits. Every five years a statewide telephone survey is conducted to estimate the number of Georgians who fish in freshwater and saltwater. The last survey was completed in 1999 and it was determined that SFR funds should be allocated 82% for freshwater fisheries management and 18% for saltwater fisheries management. Georgia's apportionment of SFR funds is typically in excess of $3 million. Beginning in November, Responsive Management, Inc. will make several thousand telephone calls to households throughout Georgia. Survey results will be available next spring so that Wildlife Resources Division and Coastal Resources Division can make the appropriate division of Georgia's SFR funds for the upcoming fiscal year. For more information on the Statewide Fishing Participation Survey contact CRD's Ron Michaels at (912) 264-7218.
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GCMP and You

By: Jill Huntington Coastal Technical Assistant
Coastal Advisory Council Holds Annual Meeting, Sets Funding Themes and Revitalizes!

The Georgia Coastal Management Program's (GCMP) Coastal Advisory Council (CAC) held its 2003 Annual Meeting on July 31. More than 30 participants from across coastal Georgia turned out in Midway to determine funding priorities for the GCMP's grant program and to hear about the efforts to reestablish the advisory group.
The Coastal Advisory Council is comprised of citizens and representatives from local coastal governments, industry, research institutions, and environmental organizations. The primary function of the Council, as in years past, has been to determine the funding priorities for the Coastal Incentive Grant Program. Other functions of the Council are to facilitate communication between the GCMP and coastal stakeholders, and to advise coastal managers on natural resource issues.

Setting A Theme
The primary purpose of the Coastal Advisory Council annual meeting is for Council members to develop the annual themes - or funding priorities - for the Coastal Incentive Grant Program. Coastal Incentive Grants support projects at the local level that promote research, planning, and/or construction activities that help balance development with the preservation of coastal resources.
The 2003 Coastal Incentive Grant, or Cycle VI funding theme, as determined at the 2002 Coastal Advisory Council Annual Meeting, was "activities and projects leading to the removal of conditions from the Georgia Coastal Management Program's Non-Point Source Pollution (Section 6217) Program."
The 2003 Coastal Advisory Council Annual Meeting participants heard a presentation by the Coastal Non-Point Source Pollution (Section 6217) Coordinator, Julie Vann, stating that the Cycle VI funding theme was very successful in meeting its intended goal. Therefore, Council members determined that the 2004 funding theme should focus on meeting a new set of coastal resource priorities. To that end, the Council voted on the following list of themes for the Coastal Incentive Grant Cycle VII:
Surface water/ground water interactions Water conservation Environmental observation systems Protection of natural drainage systems Forecasting of development patterns and analysis of impacts on natural systems

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GCMP and You

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Qualified local governments within the coastal zone, state agencies, and research institutions are eligible to apply for Coastal Incentive Grants and a Request for Proposals is currently available. It is anticipated that there will be $978,282 available in fiscal year 2004-05 to fund new Coastal Incentive Grant projects.
Anyone interested in applying for a Coastal Incentive Grant may download the RFP at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us/content/displaynavigation.asp?TopCategory=25, or may call (912) 2647218 to request a copy.

Revitalizing A Council
The future of the Coastal Advisory Council was also an important topic for discussion at the 2003 Annual Meeting. Initially created in 1992 by the Governor of Georgia, and reappointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources in 1994 and again in 1997, the Coastal Advisory Council officially sunset in January 2003. The Council has continued to operate informally since that time.
At the request of Coastal Advisory Council members and concerned local government representatives, GCMP staff began working with a CAC Steering Committee to revitalize, or restructure, the Council. The steering committee met throughout the past year to develop recommendations for the membership structure and function of the new Council. Those recommendations became a guideline for new by-laws that specify the duties of the Council and its membership appointments. All coastal local governments have been invited to serve as members of the new Council, and nominations were taken for non-governmental organizations, research institutions, coastal/maritime related industries, and citizens-at-large members. New Coastal Advisory Council members were appointed by the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources in September, and the new Council held its first meeting on October 21.
In order to help Coastal Advisory Council members serve effectively, the GCMP has committed to developing and conducting new member workshops, and anticipates holding the first workshop in early 2004.
For more information about the Coastal Advisory Council, or the Coastal Incentive Grant Program, please visit our website at http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us, or contact us at (912) 264-7218.

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Susan Shipman

From the Director's Desk
SHIP TO SHORE... Coastal Resources Division Director

An issue of great interest over the past year has been the outcome of the deliberations regarding management of coastal marsh hammocks. I am pleased to announce the availability of the final report of the past year's Coastal Marsh Hammocks Stakeholders Dialogue, " Facilitating Human Dimensions Research On the Future Management Of Coastal Marsh Hammock Development."
This product of the Coastal Marsh Hammocks dialogue and the work of the stakeholder group is a fundamental step to an overall Coastal Action Plan. The report and its recommendations are part of a greater initiative to plan proactively for how we manage Georgia's extraordinary coastal region.
In recent years, back barrier islands, referred to colloquially as marsh hammocks, have begun to experience increased development pressures. The Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee, which is charged by the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act with protecting the vital coastal marshlands of the state, has received an increased number of permit requests for access to hammocks. The Committee has granted many of these requests. This has prompted concern among many coastal residents and environmental organizations about impacts to the coastal environment from marsh hammock development.
Spurred by litigation, in 2001 the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR) appointed a Coastal Marsh Hammocks Advisory Council to identify the ecological importance of marsh hammocks, evaluate the impact of continued development of marsh hammocks, and recommend solutions to mitigate development of coastal marsh hammocks. During spring 2002, the Coastal Marsh Hammocks Advisory Council presented its report to the DNR Board and at public meetings.
Subsequently, DNR appointed a representative group of stakeholders to address open issues and refine recommendations. Five major stakeholder groups were involved and included representatives of environment, development, property owners, local government, and state government. Additional participating interest groups included realty, marina owners, recreation/eco-tourism, commercial fishing, and at-large citizens.
A facilitated dialogue conducted by Consensus Solutions, Inc., was used by the Department to identify areas for policy and regulatory improvements, develop non-regulatory solutions for managing hammocks, explore mechanisms for acquisition of hammocks, and identify and resolve differences between stakeholders. DNR Commissioner Lonice Barrett specifically charged the group to "provide DNR and the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee with clarity and guidance concerning policies that are most protective of hammocks and the surrounding tidal marsh environments while making certain, to the maximum extent possible, that none of the actions or recommendations propose to violate private property rights or presume to take actions for which DNR has no statutory authority...."
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Between August 2002 and June 2003, the Stakeholders made significant and important contributions in addressing a myriad of interests. These interests included definitional issues and a broad array of topics related to public and private property interests - such as proof of ownership, roles of state and local government, levels of protection for publicly owned hammocks, access rights and public interest, and incentives, donations, and acquisitions.
Stewardship and conservation issues of archaeology, water quality and wastewater treatment were also addressed.
While the Report documents substantial recommendations directed at hammocks, of equal importance are some remaining fundamental issues that are very important and deserve attention. Due to time constraints, the Stakeholder's Group was unable to fully discuss and formulate comprehensive recommendations on interests and issues that included view shed, bulkheads, best management practices, habitat loss/degradation, and gratuities. Work groups have been formed, and several have initiated their examination of these topics.
The Report's recommended policy strategies were recently reviewed by the Coastal Marshlands Protection Committee and sent to the Board of Natural Resources for their consideration of new policies, rules, or recommended legislation. The Board accepted the Report and directed the Department to proceed with implementing the recommendations following additional public information and education. They further directed us to continue work on the above-noted open issues, and to likewise gather public input on those topics. The Board has requested feedback at their February 2004 meeting, including a proposed policy statement directed at conservation of marsh hammocks, to address key areas such as acquisition opportunities, buffers, gratuities, and needed legislative or constitutional enactments.
One important point to emphasize is that the Report's recommendations are not intended for application to mainland high ground areas. There have been comments to that effect, but DNR has no intent to apply the Report's recommendations to such areas. The mainland is already subject to other local, state and/or federal laws, rules or regulations.
The Department, our Stakeholders, our resource partners, and the larger Georgia public have learned much in the course of this past year's dialogue. I want to recognize and sincerely thank the Stakeholders, resource persons, and professional facilitators involved for their time, energy, and enthusiasm dedicated to the Coastal Marsh Hammocks Stakeholders Dialogue. For more information about the Marsh Hammocks report, go to the CRD Website at: http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us to "Quick Links." And stay tuned for the public information forums on this topic in the weeks ahead. Meeting specifics will be posted on our website. Please attend and share your perspective on hammocks management with the Department.
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Scceenneessfrroomm CooaassttFeesstt2003!

Investigate UUnnccoovveerr

Discover

Explore Experiment

CoastFest 2003 offered countless

opportunities for learning and fun on

October 4th at the 8th annual celebration of

Georgia's coastal natural resources.

Always a popular event activity area, the CoastFest touch tank exhibit gave event visitors the chance to
touch live sea critters ... or not!

Glimpses into the activities and happenings of the day show the spirit of the event and the rich learning environment it provided.

Participating in activities of Georgia's past and gaining understanding of our rich colonial heritage were integral
parts of the excitement of CoastFest `03!

Visitors could be "marine biologists for a day" aboard the R/V Anna and assist CRD staff in identifying the contents of
a research trawl.

Learning about Georgia's coastal history was part of the event's interactive activities and offerings.
THE GEORGIA

Measuring clam size was just one of the activities that combined learning and fun at CoastFest.

A Loggerhead sea turtle hatchling was a popular CoastFest visitor.

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"Under the big tent" CoastFest programs including Mr. & Mrs. Fish, Creek Indian Jim Sawgrass, and DNR Wildlife Biologist John Evans and reptile friends, captured the attention of young and old alike and often brought visitors up on stage into the fun.

The Georgia Forestry Commission's high-tech forestry trailer provided hands-on demonstrations
of the role computers play in fighting fires.

At CoastFest, Georgia's coastal past "came alive" (sometimes with a bang) through living history demonstrations such as cannon and musket firing.

"Hands-on" and interactive exhibits were just one of the many ways CoastFest visitors could take part in Georgia's largest coastal natural resources festival.

Jim Sawgrass exposed visitors to Creek Indian traditions and history.

Providing festival goers with unique learning opportunities was one component of CoastFest.

Getting "up close" looks at all sorts of things was part of the discovery, learning, and fun of CoastFest 2003.

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Right Whale Update:

By: Leigh Youngner DNR Non-game & Endangered Wildlife
Marine Mammal Technician

"Polaris"

& Lea King Public Affairs Coordinator

Background

In July of 2002, the waters off of coastal Georgia played host to a "special" visitor - a male 40'-50' Northern right whale named

"Polaris." Polaris was first seen in the Bay of Fundy in 1984 as a calf and has been spotted every year since except 1986 during aerial

surveys. When he visited the waters of coastal Georgia in 2002, Polaris was entangled with injuries and scientists were concerned for

his well-being.

His entangled plight was first realized when he was spotted earlier in July 2002 off the coast of New Jersey. According to the Center for Coastal Studies Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network, his "description" included, "free swimming entangled right whale with injuries (cuts) on head and flukes," with the "description of gear on whale" verifying, "a single line trailing approximately 150 feet behind the whale with an 18" buoy approximately 30' behind the flukes. The point of entanglement on the whale was unknown; however no wraps on the body, flippers or flukes were noted." The line appeared to be hung up in the mouth or baleen.

For over a week Polaris made his way south along the Eastern seaboard with numerous sightings. The southbound route Polaris chose was strange and out of the ordinary based on known seasonal habitat use. Polaris should have been in the Bay of Fundy, summer feeding grounds, not headed south to the winter calving grounds. On July 23, 2002 he was spotted approximately 14 NM off the coast of St. Simons Island. After his Georgia sighting, staff of the Georgia Department of Natural Resource's (DNR) Non-game and Endangered Wildlife Section and Coastal Resources Division joined in the search for Polaris conducting an aerial survey but were unable to relocate this animal. DNR prepared disentanglement equipment and coordinated response efforts with staff from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). If search attempts had been successful DNR and FWC would have attempted to attach a radio and satellite transmitter to the trailing gear enabling professionals with the Center for Coastal Studies to locate Polaris for disentanglement action. The last Disentanglement Network "update" noted on Polaris during that time period was dated July 26, 2002 after many efforts to relocate this elusive whale were attempted and unsuccessful.
Update Fast forward now to October 23, 2003 - "Polaris was spotted September 7, 2003 on Jeffery's Ledge in the Gulf of Maine winter
feeding grounds. After scientists at the New England Aquarium identified the whale from photos taken during a routine aerial survey as #1427 (Polaris). Photo documentation shows the whale to be gear free with signs of poor health caused from the entanglement. The signs of poor health include significant loss of blubber, rake marks, red cyamids on the callosities, and skin lesions."

The update goes on to report, "For two intensive weeks during July of 2002, the Disentanglement Network was focused on entangled right whale #1427, `Polaris.' This whale was the subject of extensive disentanglement activity involving dozens of professionals and volunteers along the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast US coastlines, including the Coast Guard in three states, the National Park Service, numerous state and federal agencies and private boaters."

Georgia DNR staff and assisting right whale researchers were pleased to learn that their old friend has been spotted alive in northern waters. Polaris has been documented in the past on the calving grounds of the Georgia and North Florida coasts during the winter months. Scientists are guardedly hopeful that his health will recover from the previous entanglement and that he will once again visit the waters of coastal Georgia. With only 325 documented right whales left in the western North Atlantic, the importance of Polaris' survival is not only of individual importance, but important to his entire species. To learn more about Polaris and his odyssey, log onto the Atlantic Large Whale Disentanglement Network's web site. A direct link to Polaris info can be found at www.coastalstudies.org/entantlementupdate/RW071202.html.

Polaris # 1427
Photos taken in the Gulf of Maine in September, 2003 were identified as North Atlantic right whale #1427, also known as Polaris. To learn more about Polaris and whale disentanglement, log onto www.coastalstudies.org.
Photos Courtesy of J. Kennedy, Blue Ocean

Northern
right Whales
The North Atlantic right whale is considered the rarest baleen whale species
on earth. Four relict populations of Eubalaena glacialis remain scattered across the North Pacific and North Atlantic. In the western North Atlantic, no more than 325 individuals are believed to exist and represent the most viable population of the species remaining.

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Behind the Scenes...

By: Nancy Butler Public Affairs Coordinator

Spotlight on the Artist

Each year, CoastFest requires the commitment and dedication of many "behind-the-scenes" participants. At CoastFest 2003, we unveiled some very creative work by a young coastal artist, Carrie Chapman whom we first met while she was attending Armstrong Atlantic State University (AASU) in Savannah. When Coastal Resources Division (CRD) approached Dr. Tom Cato at AASU with a children's activity booklet project, Carrie Chapman was Dr. Cato's choice to create the design work for what was to become "Myrtle's Coastal Adventure."

Carrie Chapman was destined to be an artist. She started her doodles at an early

Human faces replaced these painted ones at CoastFest as young and old alike posed behind the cut-outs for "funtastic" family photo opportunities!

age and, in high school, started printing T-shirts. "I'm a compulsive artist," Carrie says. "I'm continually

rearranging things and improving them. I am always drawing characters." This love of doodling led her to

AASU, where she studied art (focusing on pottery, fibers, and sculpture). Carrie graduated in 2001 and soon

went to work as an art teacher at the Savannah Arts Academy where she teaches art in grades 9 through 12.

Based on the success of the "Myrtle" activity book, in early 2003 CRD approached Carrie with a project idea that would add a special fun stop for visitors to CoastFest. With general directions from CRD, Carrie was asked to create several photo vignettes with a marine theme; once again, Carrie came through with five great designs. Painted on 4 x 8 plywood sheets, characters faces in each design have been cut-out so kids can become a friendly shark, a manatee...even a shrimp!!

"My work is less about the end product than the fun I have making it," says Carrie. "Every day I do something creative...my head is full of so many projects that there just isn't time to complete."

Note: Visitors to CoastFest may have seen Carrie's most recently completed project at the Coastal Resources Tent Myrtle the Turtle. Made of papier mach and painted a bright green, Myrtle will soon be joined by her Coastal Adventure co-star, Professor Seamore Crab. Together they will be used for educational outreach programs with "Myrtle's Coastal Adventure."

Carrie poses with her creation and CRD's resident favorite sea turtle...."Myrtle" from "Myrtle's Coastal Adventure."
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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

Sound

O C T O B E R - D E C E M B E R , 2 0 0 3

V O L . 9, N O . 4

Department of Natural Resources
Coastal Resources Division One Conservation Way, Suite 300 Brunswick, GA 31520-8687

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CRD Web Site Update

Hhttp://crd.dnr.state.ga.us
Take time to check out the "new and improved" CRD web site that was revamped earlier this year. This improved site offers users a multitude of new categories and information areas and strives to be user friendly and easy to follow. The site has recorded 20,006 hits since its introduction in July, 2003!

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 http://crd.dnr.state.ga.us
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.
Lea_King@dnr.state.ga.us

Contributors to this issue: Nancy Butler, Jill Huntington, Susan Shipman,
Spud Woodward, and Leigh Youngner. This publication is made possible through efforts by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Deadline for the Winter 2004 edition is January 1, 2004. We welcome suggestions
of articles and photography.