Residents, Satilla Riverkeeper oppose proposed large poultry operation on Highway 441 South

Coffee County residents and an environmental advocate used public comment at the Board of Commissioners’ June 2 meeting to press officials for details and safeguards around a proposed poultry operation on Highway 441 South.

“Who is proposing this development? Where exactly is it going to be located?” asked Frank Pridemore, who told commissioners he was speaking in opposition and sought a clear timeline and list of agencies that would decide whether the project can proceed. County Attorney Tony Rowell responded that much of what the Board has heard is hearsay, that the property is currently zoned for agricultural use and that state permitting — including issues handled by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division — and Georgia Department of Transportation review of turn lanes would apply.

Shannon Gregory, who identified herself as Satilla Riverkeeper and said she lives in Ware County, told commissioners she had received 27 calls in May about the proposal and summarized environmental concerns: “I believe this chicken house operation is a really bad idea,” she said, citing risks from flooding, spills, chicken waste and black flies.

Local resident Laura Curtis said she worried about how the project would affect family health and property values and asked, “How will air quality be monitored or controlled?” She also asked whether traffic and road maintenance costs from constant truck movements have been studied and whether any compensation or homeowner relief had been considered.

Becky Ricketson Temple told the Board she did not believe the project would benefit Coffee County and characterized it as aimed at “big business, not local citizens.”

Rowell told the meeting that permitting and compliance would be monitored at various levels and that certain onsite housing would require county permits; he said he had no timeline for other entities’ review. Chairman Johnny Wayne Jowers reiterated that formal hearings and zoning actions would provide opportunities for public input if and when the matter is officially filed with the county.

What happens next: The Board did not take action on the project at the June 2 meeting. Officials said the next steps for the proposal would depend on formal filings and state permitting processes; county staff advised residents to monitor official filings and upcoming public hearings for opportunities to comment.