CALL TODAY BTW 4:00-7:00PM
404-330-6022

TELL ATLANTA CITY COUNCIL:

"Keep Your Promise & Vote No."
Save the Atlanta Prison Farm Property

CALL THEM OUT.

City Council is pushing a proposal forward that is in Direct Conflict with its commitment to residents

On 6/8/21, Atlanta City Councilmember Joyce Sheperd introduced legislation authorizing a 50-year lease of the former Atlanta Prison Farm property (in unincorporated DeKalb County) to the Atlanta Police Foundation. The agreement paves the way for the development of nearly 300 acres of forested greenspace – and eliminates the need to seek alternatives or engage the public.

Last week, City Council voted unanimously to move the proposal (Ordinance 21-O-0367) forward in the legislative process. Despite HOURS of public comment in opposition, the lease of the property to Atlanta Police was referred to the City Council's Public Safety Committee. The next Public Safety Committee meeting is tomorrow, Monday at 2pm.

City Council adopted the Atlanta City Design into it's charter including the South River Forest vision. The proposed training facility is in DIRECT CONFLICT with this plan.


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Tell City Council:
"Keep Your Word & Vote No."

1.) Call-in Your Comment
TODAY Sunday 7/11
DIAL: 404-330-6022
Between 4pm-7pm >> You must call between these hours!


2.) Email City Council
Write & call City Council as often as you'd like.

Public Safety Committee:
Joyce Sheperd, Chair: jmsheperd@atlantaga.gov
Michael Julian Bond: mbond@atlantaga.gov
Andrea Boone: aboone@atlantaga.gov
Amir Farokhi: arfarokhi@atlantaga.gov
Dustin Hills: drhills@atlantaga.gov
Carla Smith: csmith@atlantaga.gov
Cleta Winslow: cwinslow@atlantaga.gov


Bones of contention to highlight in your comments:


  • This legislation allows the Atlanta Police Foundation to completely bypass public input and eliminates the need for APF to consider alternatives – even those that would attain their goal.

  • Just when much of this neglected corridor is being considered for a "South River Forest" greenspace network, this land is being slated for destruction with zero public input.

  • Alternatives for achieving the Foundation’s goal exist if there is the will to pursue them. The negative impacts on residents and the natural environment that protects highly impacted Intrenchment Creek are unnecessary and avoidable.

  • This greenspace and the environmental benefits it affords Intrenchment Creek cannot be replaced.


• • •


Thank you for taking action for our environment! We must continue contacting City Council at every step of the process.


Intrenchment Creek is the South River's largest urban tributary.

In the City's own words...

"
Watershed health is not only focused on water quality and biological diversity, but also on the social and economic aspects driving a community’s quality of life.

– City of Atlanta Intrenchment & Sugar Creek Watershed Improvement Plan, 2017

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"
It's not a matter of whether south Atlanta and south DeKalb communities are facing yet another undeniable act of disinvestment. Rather, is there the political will to find a workable alternative to what is being proposed? How do we change this mindset? This is the critical question.

– Jacqueline Echols, PhD
Board President SRWA

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South DeKalb residents protest the land swap at Intrenchment Creek Park.

MEANWHILE, AT INTRENCHMENT CREEK PARK

Legal Action Is Last Chance to Reclaim Public Land

Our citizen lawsuit versus DeKalb County over the land swap of 40 acres of the park to Blackhall Studios is the last chance at reversing a dangerous precedent that threatens to public land state-wide.

Join the fight.

WE CAN TURN THINGS AROUND
Demand Clean Water Act Protection

Every year, American Rivers partners with local conservation advocates to release America’s Most Endangered Rivers® – a list of ten rivers facing serious threats and in need of urgent public action. This year, the South River makes the list citing the egregious threat that ongoing sewage pollution poses to the environment and public health.

Across the nation, people are calling on the U.S. Department of Justice and the Environmental Protection Agency to address this longstanding injustice.

Your voice is critical. Join us.

South River Watershed Alliance is a 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization. Donations to SRWA and donations to SRWA through Patagonia Action Works are 100% tax-deductable.