Resiliency on Cumberland Island: Addressing the Camden County Spaceport and Rezoning Efforts

Larry Walker Room, Dean Rusk Hall

Cumberland Island has recently become the subject of two major controversies: proposed rezoning efforts to develop approximately 1,000 acres of private property and the operation of the Camden County Spaceport. Rezoning to this extent and using the Camden Spaceport would threaten Cumberland Island’s notable pristine environment, resulting in adverse environmental impacts and creating multiple legal issues despite expected economic development. Many local citizens and environmental groups are involved in the debate on the extent of acceptable development on Cumberland Island, if any, as well as the problems posed by the spaceport. The Environmental Impact Statement for the spaceport is expected to be released near the time of this conference. This panel will focus on coastal resiliency efforts as development could affect Cumberland Island.