St. Marys River Management Committee Seeking Volunteer

5/6/22 @ 11:15 a.m. -The St. Marys River Management Committee is seeking a representative of Nassau County to fill a vacancy. 

Background
The St. Marys River Management Committee (SMRMC or Committee) is a quasi-governmental advisory panel established by interlocal agreement between Baker and Nassau counties in Florida and Camden and Charlton counties in Georgia to facilitate the conservation and wise use of the St. Marys River.  To that end, SMRMC engaged with the local communities as well as county and state governments to develop the St. Marys River Management Plan, which they now work to implement.

The Committee is composed of five voting representatives from each county: one county commissioner and four appointed members.  All meetings are open to the public with notice provided on the Committee’s website: www.saintmarysriver.org.  SMRMC is charged to act in good faith as an agent of due diligence on behalf of local governments and communities. Monthly Committee meetings serve as a public forums for the discussion of issues potentially impacting the river and its stakeholders, including such things as regulatory concerns, land use practices, and economic development projects.  Between meetings members work with county governments on various projects relating to the river.  In 2020 and 2021, Nassau County projects have included: No Wake Zones at The Sandbar, Tracy Road Access, and White Sand Landing, revision of Ordinance 99-17 Stormwater section, encouraging additional river access, and revision of the interlocal agreement.

Time Commitment
Meetings: first Monday of each month except when date conflicts with a holiday in which case second Monday.  Meeting 7pm-830pm at Callahan Fire Department.  Dinner 6-7pm at Cedar River Seafood, Callahan (not required but good networking opportunity). The SMRMC is currently meeting via Zoom because of COVID-19 pandemic.

Between Meetings: Depends on time available and level of commitment. The committee suggests at least 2 hours/member to share workload of monitoring and furthering current committee projects. Many committee members exceed the 2 hours.

Experience Required
Candidates must be dedicated to maintaining the outstanding water quality and current character of the St. Marys River. They should enjoy working with local government staff and be patient, tolerant, and eager to learn, educate, and negotiate.

Applicant should live in the St. Marys watershed.  Roughly this includes any riverfront landowner as well as residents living in Wildlight, Yulee west of 95, north of 108, either side of 121. Also anyone qualifies who works for a company owning property on the St. Marys River.
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Interested?
Interested individuals should reach out to stmarysriverinfo@gmail.com for more information.

-Sabrina Robertson
 Public Information Officer