Interview with Duane Harris, March 20, 2015

Partial Transcript: I went to Colorado State University...

Segment Synopsis: Harris talks about his previous education experience as an University of Colorado biological sciences major. Harris explains that he decided to come to Georgia after he was offered a position at Georgia's Game and Fish Commission. Harris recalls that he was hired by William W. Anderson, a well-known fishery biologist, and he states that he was commissioned with gathering species inventory data about Georgian estuaries.

Keywords: Colorado State University; Game and Fish Commission; William W. Anderson; biological sciences

Partial Transcript: Then I was assigned to map all of the...

Segment Synopsis: Harris explains his duty under the Georgia Game and Fish Commission (later called the Georgia Department of Natural Resources) as a field researcher on the oyster population of Georgia's estuaries. Harris relates the methods he used to find the location of oyster beds around Georgia. Harris recalls how he came to be the director of the Coastal Resources Division of Georgia. Harris explains how the Georgia Game and Fish Division, along with two other wildlife commissions came to develop into the Department of Natural Resources.

Keywords: Coastal Resources Division; Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Georgia Game and Fish Commission; Robert J. Reimold; oysters; sextant

Partial Transcript: Six months after I moved down here...

Segment Synopsis: Harris explains how the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act had a tremendous impact on the ecological work done throughout the state of Georgia. Harris recalls that while in the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), he organized water quality analysis for Georgian estuaries. Harris describes the Shore Protection Act as legislation that held jurisdiction over environmental state regulation.

Keywords: Coastal Marshlands Protection Act; Eugene Odum; Georgia Fisheries Division; Private recreational dock; Robert Reimold; Shore Protection Act

Partial Transcript: so I talked the into giving that program...

Segment Synopsis: Harris recalls how as director of the Coastal Resources Division, he organized further regulation on the infrastructure built along Georgia's coastal shorelines. Harris recalls how the regulations led to controversies within the state. Harris recalls an instance where surveyors discovered right winged whales off the coast of Georgia. Harris describes the process through which a coastal zone management plan was created through the Coastal Resources Division.

Keywords: Coastal Management Plan; Coastal Resources Division; Robert Busby; United States Army Corps of Engineers; right whale

Partial Transcript: The river houses on the Altamaha River...

Segment Synopsis: Harris talks about how Joe Tanner, the head of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources handled issues concerning river houses located along the Altamaha River. Harris explains that Tanner passed two laws which required the removal of the dilapidated housing bordering the river. Harris recalls how his work to get the laws passed resulted threats from surrounding Georgia.

Keywords: Altamaha River; Joe Tanner; Protection of Tidewaters Act; Right of Passage Act

Partial Transcript: Gray's reef was an area...

Segment Synopsis: Harris talks about the process he underwent to make Gray's Reef a National Marine Sanctuary. Harris explains the powers granted to the Coastal Resources Division through the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972. Harris describes the challenge state budget cuts posed to the Cultural Resources Division.

Keywords: Coastal Marshland Protections Act of 1970; Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972; Department of Transportation (DoT); Gray's Reef; Jesse Hunt

Partial Transcript: Well in Tybee, it's not controversial...

Segment Synopsis: Harris talks about the restoration projects conducted on Tybee Island, Georgia. Harris explains that the community opposed the beach construction due to assumptions about the environmental impact of beach restoration. Harris opines that the opposition of the citizens was not scientifically based. Harris explains the importance of beach restoration for both recreational use and hurricane protection.

Keywords: Glenn County; Tybee Island

Partial Transcript: And a lot of them, you didn't know...

Segment Synopsis: Harris recalls some of the controversies regarding marsh hummock ownership. Harris explains the ecologic importance of marsh hummocks, and how controversy surrounding the protection of the hummocks prevented the development of protection acts. Harris recalls his experiences participating in public hearings for proposed community projects.

Keywords: Department of Natural Resources (DNR); ecology; marsh hummock

Partial Transcript: The Fishery Management Council, the jurisdiction...

Segment Synopsis: Harris talks about the origin of the U.S Regional Fishery Management Council, and the range of the council's species regulation powers. Harris explains the organization of the council, and how regulations are formed. Harris recalls how red snappers were over-fished, and how bans on red-snapper fishing angered locals along Georgia's coast.

Keywords: U.S. Regional Fishery Management Councils; federal regulation; red snapper

Partial Transcript: The only thing that's really controversial about marinas...

Segment Synopsis: Harris explains the controversies surrounding the ban of liveaboard's in certain marinas around Georgia. Harris talks about how the Manhattan Marina became an issue of concern to interests groups. Harris talks about issues in protecting ecological buffer zones.

Keywords: Environmental Protection Division (EPD); Glynn County, Georgia; Manhattan Marina; livaboard marina; wetland buffer

Partial Transcript: Speaking of the 25-foot buffer...

Segment Synopsis: Harris talks about shore development along Georgian Coast. Harris explains an instance where the Army Corp of Engineers overstepped their jurisdiction on a shore development case. Harris details about his wish for appropriate development under environmental regulations.

Keywords: Barrier Island; Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Glynn County; United States Army Corps of Engineers; marshland buffer

Partial Transcript: But they have to be a willing participant...

Segment Synopsis: Harris explains his wish for the Department of Natural resources to interact with the local governments located along Georgian coast. Harris describes he opinion of the state of Georgian coastal land development. Harris talks about his belief that the swing nature of politics discourages long-term projects.

Keywords: Department of Natural Resources (DNR); Environmental Protection Agency (EPA ); Marshland Act

Partial Transcript: And he called down to me...

Segment Synopsis: Harris recalls an instance where he was commissioned to clean up an oil spill. Harris talks about the relationship between the Department of Natural Resources (DPR) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Harris describes some of the issues surrounding the shrimp population of Georgia's estuaries. Harris lists the reasons he stayed in the Department of Natural Resources despite the stress that the job entailed.

Keywords: Black Gill Disease; Coastal Resources Division; Department of Natural Resources; Environmental Protection Division; Paul Leonard; Sea Island, Georgia; oil spill; shrimp