Coastal Marshlands Protection Act to a Research Vessel 50 Years Later
- Katherine Morse
- Aug 13, 2020
- 3 min read
By: Katherine W. Morse, August 13, 2020
Many who have gone on out Lighthouse Trolleys Land and Sea Tours may know Reid Walker Harris, Jr. and heard the story of his father, Reid Walker Harris, and the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act. In case you missed it or want further information, here is your chance. First, the state of Georgia has about 100 miles of coastline with 14 barrier islands with nine major estuaries, including the salt marsh and open water as in the Atlantic Ocean (The Nature Conservancy, n/d).
The Golden Isles, which encompasses Brunswick, St. Simons Island, and Jekyll Island, offers tours and ways both locals and visitors to experience the uniqueness of the ecology beyond visiting just the beaches. The protection of the coastal line began with Reid’s father, Reid Walker Harris. Reid W. Harris was a Georgia native. In 1964 Harris was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives. Serving six years, Harris authored several conservation laws that included the Georgia Surface Mining Act of 1968 and the act that preserved the marshlands, the Coastal Marshland Protection Act of 1970.
What is the salt marsh? There are about 378,000 acres of salt marsh, and of that, Georgia has nearly 1/3 of the total salt march in eastern North America (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, n/d). If you have ever visited Jekyll or St. Simons Islands, the causeways to both drive through the salt marsh. Salt marshes are coastal wetland areas that flood and drain with saltwater from the ocean tides (National Ocean Service, 2019). The marshy part is made detritus or peat, decomposing dead stuff like the grasses and animals, and sometimes referred to as pluff mud. According to the Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant through the University of Georgia (n/d), five ecological zones make up the marsh. Those are the levee marsh, low marsh, high marsh, marsh border, and transition zone. To learn more about these zones, visit https://gacoast.uga.edu/about/georgia-coast/salt-marsh-ecology/.
So, what is the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act? It is CMPA for short. The act regulates the activity and water-dependent structures and requires a permit for marinas, community docks, bridges, and so forth (Georgia Department of Natural Resources, n/d). The act that helps keep the marshes of Georgia safe and protect is thanks to Reid Harris 50 years ago. The anniversary was on March 27, 2020.
The act that was passed preserved over a half-million acres of Georgia’s salt marshes and Reid Harris is considered a champion when it comes to environmental legislation (Dickson, 2009). In honor of his foresight in the preservation to protect the marshlands of Georgia and the rest of the eastern seaboard, he was honored by having a research vessel built for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources, DNR, named the Reid W. Harris (Rappaport, 2020). The vessel can carry 18 passengers with 2 crew members and was constructed by Maine boatbuilders in Hancock County (Rappaport, 2020).
On Friday, June 24, 2020, Reid Harris and Cap Fendig were at the DNR’s docks in Brunswick, Georgia, to watch the Reid W. Harris get christened. The vessel will have 36 sites from the Savannah River to the St. Mary’s, where it will conduct timed trawls to research protecting the vital natural resource of Georgia’s coastline (Hobbs, 2020).
*All Photographs are thanks to Cap Fendig.
References:
Dickson, T. (2009). Former Georgia Rep. Harris Gets DNR’S Top Award. The Florida Times-Union. https://www.jacksonville.com/article/20091204/NEWS/801223501
Georgia Department of Natural Resources. (n/d). Marsh and Shore Permits. Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Coastal Resources Division. https://coastalgadnr.org/MarshShore
Hobbs, L. (2020). DNR Honors Marshland Protector with Christening of New Boat. The Brunswick News. https://thebrunswicknews.com/news/local_news/dnr-honors-marshland-protector-with-christening-of-new-boat/article_056090bb-bf23-53f8-9756-8e6d14a34b87.html
The Nature Conservancy. (n/d). Georgia’s Distinctive Coastal Area is so Unique that Conservation is a Priority–Regionally, Nationally–Even Globally. https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/places-we-protect/georgia-coast/#:~:text=The%20Georgia%20Coast%20Project%20includes,and%20long%2Dleaf%20pine%20forests.
Marine Extension and Georgia Sea Grant, University of Georgia. (n/d). Salt Marsh Ecology. https://gacoast.uga.edu/about/georgia-coast/salt-marsh-ecology/
National Ocean Service. (2019). What is a Salt Marsh? https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/saltmarsh.html
Rappaport, S. (2020). Maine-Made Research Vessel Headed for Georgia Coastline. The Ellsworth American. https://www.ellsworthamerican.com/maine-news/waterfront/maine-made-research-vessel-headed-for-georgia-coastline/
Thank you for sharing such a meaningful look at the 50‑year legacy of the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act and how it continues to shape conservation efforts today. It’s inspiring to read about how dedicated individuals and communities came together to preserve these vital ecosystems, and now a research vessel like the Reid W. Harris carries that legacy forward by supporting ongoing study and protection of our coastal environment. It’s a great reminder that both historical awareness and modern innovation matter in safeguarding natural habitats and strengthening our connection to the places we love—whether that’s through environmental stewardship or even everyday gear like Leather Welding Sleeves that keep workers safe while they build and protect our communities.
It also reminds me how innovation can enhance even the most longstanding traditions and systems—whether in environmental conservation or in everyday tools we use. For example, just as communities protect natural environments, businesses are improving client interactions with technologies like welding hoodies that increase worker safety and comfort on the job site. It’s inspiring to see different fields both evolving and honoring their roots.
This is such an inspiring read about the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act and the legacy of Reid Harris! It’s incredible to see how one person’s vision from 50 years ago continues to protect Georgia’s vital ecosystems today. I also appreciate how modern technology, like the research vessel Reid W. Harris, is now being used to study and preserve these marshlands. Stories like this remind me how innovation and conservation can work hand in hand—just like how businesses today are transforming communication with tools like a customer service AI chatbot in Vancouver to make processes smarter and more efficient. Truly a fascinating blend of history, science, and forward-thinking solutions!
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Really insightful article—it's fascinating to see how the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act has evolved over the past 50 years and continues to influence conservation efforts today. The way science, public awareness, and policy came together to protect such vital ecosystems is truly inspiring. Coastal marshlands play a crucial role in supporting biodiversity and protecting shorelines, making their preservation more important than ever.
It’s interesting how long-term sustainability is becoming a shared priority across different fields. Just as environmental laws protect natural ecosystems, innovations like the electric vehicle charger are helping reduce our carbon footprint and promote cleaner, greener living.
Great read—thanks for highlighting such an important environmental milestone!