A Bulloch County judge has ruled the state Environmental Protection Division’s consent order with a Screven County textile mill is invalid because state officials did not have a public hearing.

EPD and King America Finishing agreed to the order after the largest fish kill in Georgia’s history last year on the Ogeechee River. Thousands of fish died downstream of the company’s discharge pipe.

The judge also ruled the Ogeechee Riverkeeper and others who live near the river have the legal standing to challenge the order.

The decision overturns an earlier ruling and sends the case to the state’s Office of Administrative Hearings.

Tags: EPD, Ogeechee River, Environmental Proteciton Division, fish kill, Ogeechee Riverkeeper, Ogeechee Fish Kill, King America Finishing