GLYNN COUNTY, Ga. – What looked like a win for some Glynn County animal activists has turned into another hurdle.
Recently, the Georgia Department of Transportation gave the county the green light to turn off high mast lights near the Buc-ee’s exit north of Brunswick. However, a response from the county has activists feeling frustrated.
Activists said the lights confuse turtles and draw them inland away from the water.
Catherine Ridley said she was excited when she read a letter from the GDOT, addressed to Glynn County.
The letter said in part: “GDOT hereby authorizes and requests Glynn County to de-energize the high mast lights at Exit 42 during sea turtle hatching season.”
RELATED | Brunswick’s exit 42 lights spark concern among sea turtle conservationists
Ridley said she and other sea turtle advocates have been fighting for nearly two years to get these lights turned off during hatching season, which is August through October in Georgia.
The brightness they emit can be seen from miles away on Little St. Simons Island and Sapelo Island and endangers sea turtles, according to Ridley. She said it lures them toward the light instead of the sea.
“It’s a win-win for everyone involved,” Ridley said.
However, that win was short-lived.
Glynn County responded to GDOT’s email, asking GDOT and DNR to send more evidence that shows these lights are harming sea turtles.
“Our sea turtle scientist had been sharing the impacts of these high mast lights and having those conversations,” Ridley said.
To get clarification on why the county wasn’t turning off the lights, if the state authorized and requested they do so, News4JAX sent them an email.
They responded saying in part: “In the interest of Public Safety, Glynn County has made the decision to keep the high mast lights at the exit 42 interchange operational,” officials replied.
However, in the initial email from GDOT, the agency also asked the county to turn off the lights because roundabouts have been built at the exit ramp terminals, and the associated lighting provides sufficient illumination for safe navigation of the roundabouts.
News4JAX followed up with Glynn County, and received a conflicting response from our first email, saying, “The lighting issue at Exit 42 is under review by the Board of Commissioners.”
Ridley said she isn’t surprised by this.
“To be honest, it felt like another delay tactic,” she said. “Really don’t know what the hold up is.”
But Ridley said they’re going to remain hopeful that the county will come to the right decision.
News4JAX reached out to GDOT, asking if it would provide any additional information to the county like it requested. It responded and said it is checking with its team.