MIDVILLE — Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper recently held its Ogeechee Basin Celebration and Annual Membership meeting at Coleman Lake Restaurant near Midville. More than 100 people turned out to enjoy the afternoon and fish fry from the historic restaurant.

Ogeechee-Canoochee Riverkeeper announced its new initiative to prevent mercury pollution of the river. “This is south Georgia. We should be able to eat fish and crabs from our local rivers without worrying about our health or the health of our children,” said Chandra Brown, Riverkeeper executive director. “That’s our way of life around here.”

Keynote speaker state Rep. Dubose Porter, House Minority Leader, criticized plans by Atlanta-area Electrical Membership Cooperatives to build a new coal-fired power plant near Sandersville. The proposed power plant would emit an additional 122 pounds of mercury per year. The waters of the Ogeechee and Canoochee Rivers already receive two times more mercury from air pollution than allowable limits, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

“We’re going to have to have the political will to stand up and say that we’re going to have clean energy in Georgia,” Porter said, “and we’re going to reverse the trend to get the mercury out of our air and water. Georgians should be able to eat the fish they catch in our rivers and streams.”

Guests were encouraged to sign up to send letters to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division asking for public hearings on the proposed coal plant to be held around the state, including Dublin, Savannah and Atlanta.

People also were encouraged to sign up to collect fish from the Ogeechee, Canoochee and coastal rivers to test for current levels of mercury, and several guests had their hair collected to test for their mercury levels.

Volunteer awards were given to John Lewis of Louisville, Melanie Hendrix of Claxton, and Nathan and Diana Hensley of Statesboro. Jim Abbot was elected by the membership present at the meeting to serve a two year term as an at-large board member.

Guests were treated to music by Loaded Goat, and door prizes were awarded from Patagonia Atlanta and SouthEast Adventure Outfitters. Wal-Mart Swainsboro and Fresh Market Savannah provided goodie bags and bottled water. Recycling was provided by Keep Bulloch Beautiful.

Following the meeting, members explored the finger lake of the Ogeechee River and the Ogeechee River itself by boat.