A new court hearing regarding the controversial chicken house operation proposed near the Satilla River in Coffee County has been scheduled for September 29 at the Coffee County Courthouse.
The initial Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) against the operation expired Tuesday, August 12, but Judge Kelly Brooks extended it until the upcoming hearing date. The plant, planned to be built alongside the Satilla River, has drawn strong opposition from local residents and environmental advocates.
Concerns center on the potential environmental impact to the river and surrounding communities. Shannon Gregory, Satilla Riverkeeper, has addressed environmental risks of the operation before local governmental bodies including the Waycross City Commission.
The proposed project would consist of 60 chicken houses spread across more than 1,000 acres, with the capacity to raise up to three million chickens at a time. That scale would make it twice as large as Georgia’s current biggest poultry farm, which operates 32 houses.
State Representative James Burchett (R-Millwood) told WALB News the Department of Natural Resources, the Georgia Department of Agriculture and the Environmental Protection Division will ensure the project follows state law if it proceeds.
Many locals, however, argue the issue isn’t about farming itself but the location and potential environmental impact. The Satilla River, which winds through 15 Georgia counties, could face significant risks, opponents say. Data from the University of Georgia Extension shows that each broiler chicken produces about 2.5 pounds of waste per cycle — meaning three million birds could generate 7.5 million pounds annually.
Opponents to the project say nearly 5,000 people already have signed a petition to halt the project.
While state agencies have agreed to review permits, Coffee County officials confirmed that no building permits have yet been submitted. Opponents warn that the fight extends beyond Coffee County primarily because of the impact on the watershed.
