Bulloch Commission supports Bryan County wells, residents outraged

BULLOCH COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) – Bulloch County leaders reached a controversial vote Thursday night, voting in favor of four Bryan County wells.

Around 75 or more Bulloch residents attended the meeting, concerned about the four new groundwater wells being built in their backyards.

“This is a lot more than just putting in wells,” said speaker Lawton Sack. “This is about protecting the rights of Bulloch County citizens. And I tell you these people are fed up with it.”

The Hyundai Metaplant and surrounding growth are projected to need about 6.7 million gallons of water per day, something Bryan County officials say they need Bulloch’s help with.

“It is not the Bulloch commissioners’ problem nor burden to put on people when proper planning could have ensured an alternate water source,” said Kristen Stampfer, a resident involved in an active Facebook group called “It’s about water.”

Twenty-three people signed up to speak, many asking for the vote to be postponed or canceled for fear of drought, pollution or drying out residential wells.

The two agenda items, an intergovernmental agreement with Bryan County and a well mitigation program, were each approved 4-2.

“What are you going to do if your actions lead to direct water shortages that would affect your loved ones, family children, grandchildren, neighbors and others that surround us,” local farmer Ryan Brannen said in the meeting.

WSAV caught up with sitting chairman Roy Thompson after the unwelcomed vote. He says the state forced their hands with a tight deadline, saying without signing these agreements they could have lost any benefits to gain from it.

“The state will come in and put it in themselves,” said Thompson. “They will hire a private contractor to put the wells in and none of that would change.”

A few speakers accused Thompson of having private conversations with Gov. Brian Kemp about the Hyundai plant. He denied those accusations with his hand sitting on the Bible.

Many of the speakers also accused the commission of having their minds already made up before the vote.

They pledge to add an independent committee to the well mitigation program.