KEEP SAPELO GEECHEE! Help - Immediate Threat to Historical Hogg Hummock Community on Sapelo Island Write to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TODAY! The practice of non-descendants purchasing property for vacation destinations or rentals on Sapelo Island in the community of Hog Hammock has been underway for a number of years. But today a new threat is emerging – the new property owners are aggressively seeking permission to construct amenity features for their new homes – features like private recreational docks and boat houses.The most evident example of this is a new property owner’s application (permit application #SAS-2021-00042) to build a
private recreational dock to accompany his new home on the marsh. While it is
within the homeowner’s rights to seek such a permit, we have to ask, how might
this private dock (and others that will likely follow) change our community and
affect our rights to ancestral marshes and waterways, and could the dock and
any recreational vessels prevent residents from not only navigating shared
waterways, but also affect water quality? Today, the dock application is being considered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who has the authority to permit the project, deny the project, or recommend an amended permit. The
area where the dock is proposed is known as Garry Hole. And it is right next to
Sarah Hole, Big Hole, and Home Creek. This area is the closest land mass to
that waterway and the way by which we enter from the highland of our historic
Geechee community. Baptisms within the community were done in this very area. This
means that for generations our ancestors and many present-day community members
and descendants were baptized in this specific area. A private recreational
dock would literally lay claim to a communal and historically sacred space that
we have used for countless generations. It is more than just a staple of our
community. It is a part of its historical backbone and history. We are descended from a people that have faced immense challenges since
many of our ancestors were enslaved and brought to these shores. But we’re
still here. We’re still here. Our historic community and direct descendants are
still here. So, we ask that you join us in our campaign to preserve not only the
historical status of our community, but our community itself. To preserve that
very thing that makes us unique; our heritage, our history, our story; our
community. The next question is what can you do? How do we take action? For generations, we have had to fight for our right to stay on Sapelo. Right now that need to fight is greater than ever. Please follow the action steps listed below to support our cause. TAKE ACTION! In order to build the dock, the
applicant needs the US Army Corps of Engineers to grant a permit. We must not
let that happen. Click here to review SAS-2021-00042 application. Click HERE (william.m.rutlin@usace.army.mil) to email the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers TODAY. Use the sample email below or offer your own comments. Make sure to:
************************* SAMPLE EMAIL TO: Mr. William Rutlin (william.m.rutlin@usace.army.mil), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers SUBJECT: Objection to SAS-2021-00042 Dear Mr. Rutlin, As a
descendant of the enslaved Africans who were brought to Sapelo in 1802, I am
writing to object to SAS-2021-00042, a proposal for a private recreational dock
from the Watson family homestead in Hog Hammock, on Sapelo Island. I
have reviewed the proposal and object to the issuance of a permit for the
project for a number of reasons:
There
is a significant level of opposition to this project, so I ask that the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers host a public hearing on Sapelo Island to receive comments
directly from the community members and neighbors that will be affected by the
project. After
you review the application and comments submitted, I hope you deny the project.
It is not in the public interest and would have a detrimental impact on the
heritage and culture of the Hog Hammock historic district. Thank you for your consideration. Sincerely, YOUR
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