For years, environmentalists decried the plan to deepen the Savannah Harbor. Now their worst fears are coming true.
As dredging proceeds, imperiled sea turtles are turning up dead. So far, a green sea turtle, a loggerhead turtle and a leatherback turtle have all died in the immediate vicinity of the dredging. All of them are critically endangered species.
The federal response has been lackluster, with the assumption that animals are expected to be lost in projects like this. The harbor deepening project is costing taxpayers $706 million. But clearly the interest of big business are being priporitized over the lives of sea creatures who have claimed the ocean for millions of years.
Because these turtle deaths are such a significant cause for concern, please join me in urging the United States Army Corps of Engineers to suspend work on this project until effects on native wildlife are better understood.
To the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the National Marine Fisheries Service:
The recent turtle deaths, caused by dredging for the Savannah harbor deepening project, are far too high a price to pay for bringing bigger ships to the city.
For years, local environmentalists have warned the Corps of Engineers that this project was misguided. Now those warnings have come true. These turtle deaths are a significant cause for concern. I urge you to suspend work on this project until effects on native wildlife are better understood.
[Your comments here]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
