Saving the Georgia Coast: A Political History of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act

The Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970 was passed by the General Assembly and signed into law by Lester Maddox, a governor known for his conservative reputation. Paul Bolster's book narrates the politics of the times and brings to life the political leaders and the coalition of advocates who led Georgia to pass the most comprehensive protection of marshlands along the Atlantic seaboard. The book explores how that political coalition came together behind governmental leaders and traces the origins of environmental organizations that continue to impact policy today. It also highlights the current demands on the coastal environment, such as spaceports and sea rise from climate change, and the political pressures to generate new wealth and jobs or perch a home on the edge of the sea.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2022
Publisher: University of Georgia Press

Fifty years ago, Georgia made a significant decision regarding the use of its coastal environment. The General Assembly passed the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act in 1970, and surprisingly, Lester Maddox, a governor known for his conservative stance on segregation, signed it into law. In this book, Paul Bolster narrates the political landscape of the time and brings to life the political leaders and the coalition of advocates who led Georgia to enact the most comprehensive protection of marshlands along the Atlantic seaboard.

Saving the Georgia Coast delves into the fascinating and diverse characters who formed this coalition, including wealthy island owners, hunters and fishermen, coastal residents, courageous political leaders, garden club members, clean water protectors, and journalists. It explores how this political alliance came together behind governmental leaders and traces the origins of environmental organizations that continue to shape policy today.

Bolster's account provides a comprehensive review of state policy towards the coast today, allowing readers to compare yesterday's decisions to the present. Current demands on the coastal environment are different, with spaceports and sea rise from climate change posing new challenges, but the political pressures to generate wealth and jobs or to build homes on the edge of the sea remain the same as fifty years ago.

Saving the Georgia Coast highlights the past and present decisions required to balance human desires with the limits of nature's resources. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our coastal environment for future generations.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780820362571