Savannah Hyundai Plant Faces Controversy Over Water Resource Management

Savannah’s Hyundai Plant: A Splash of Controversy Over Water Needs

This week in Savannah, an unfolding story reveals a mix of excitement and concern surrounding Hyundai Motor Company’s ambitious electric vehicle and battery manufacturing complex. With a hefty investment of _$7.6 billion_, the project promises to be one of the shining stars of local development. Yet, how it plans to tap into the area’s water resources has raised quite a few eyebrows.

Water Usage for Production

Hyundai estimates that it will pull approximately 60% of its permitted water withdrawals from four proposed wells. These wells are set to supply the massive assembly plant, which is currently taking shape in Bryan County. The automaker has indicated that it will need around 4 million gallons per day once operations reach full production. That’s a significant amount of H2O considering that the plant aims to roll out 300,000 cars annually!

The remaining 2.65 million gallons will be used for anticipated growth and development in the nearby North Bryan County area. A total of 6.65 million gallons daily is the target figure for water withdrawal from the Floridan Aquifer, which is a crucial source of drinking water for many in the region.

The Corps Gets Involved

However, it’s not all smooth sailing for Hyundai. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is revisiting a critical environmental permit that previously allowed work on the project. Activists from the Ogeechee Riverkeeper organization have voiced concerns over the potential impact on local water supplies, prompting a reevaluation of the permit initially issued without fully considering the upcoming water demands.

The Corps now finds itself navigating murky waters (pun intended) after realizing that the impact of Hyundai’s proposed water withdrawals hadn’t been accurately assessed initially. A letter from the USACE indicated that new information regarding potential effects on water supply had emerged, warranting further investigation.

Officials React

Ryan Rowberry, a law professor and co-director of a growth studies center at Georgia State University, expressed shock at this turn of events. He pointed out that the Corps’s letter indicated frustration, suggesting that they felt misled by the information provided during the application review stage. “It’s threatening with, ‘You could lose your permit,’” Rowberry commented.

In response, Trip Tollison, a key local development figure, assured that necessary assessments regarding the Floridan Aquifer would be submitted swiftly. Local authorities are collaborating with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to address these concerns.

Finding a Balance

EPD forecasts that the aquifer could experience a depth decline of up to 19 feet near the new wells, which could pose serious risks to private wells in the vicinity. The suggested plan includes the establishment of a fund aimed at assisting property owners affected by the water drawdown, amounting to an impressive $1 million, contributed by various stakeholders.

Future Considerations and Community Impact

Local officials believe that connecting the Hyundai site to a surface water source would take about 25 years, which raises questions about the long-term sustainability of this ambitious project. Environmental impacts are front and center, and while economic growth is a worthy goal, the implications for land and water resources are equally important.

As Savannah gears up for what could be a transformative chapter in its economic landscape, the conversation around water usage is one that will likely engage both supporters and skeptics alike. It’s a balancing act between fostering growth and protecting the essential resources that sustain the community.