ATLANTA – Supporters of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge are taking another crack at protecting the environmentally fragile swamp from mining.
Two bills introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives Thursday call for prohibiting mining along Trail Ridge, the Okefenokee’s eastern hydrologic boundary, where Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals is seeking state permits to open a titanium mine. One bill would place a five-year moratorium on mining, while the other would prohibit future mining altogether.
Both bills are sponsored by state Rep. Darlene Taylor, R-Thomasville, who has introduced legislation during the last several years to prohibit mining adjacent to the Okefenokee. Thus far, none of those measures has reached the House floor for a vote despite dozens of lawmakers signing on as cosponsors.
The House did pass a bill late in last year’s legislative session calling for a three-year moratorium on mining along Trail Ridge, but the Georgia Senate didn’t take it up before the General Assembly adjourned for the year.
“Both of these bills provide the opportunity for all the legislators and leadership to respond to their constituents to save the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from mining that would harm the swamp and swamp tourism upon which the economies of the local communities depend,” said Rena Peck, executive director of the nonprofit Georgia Rivers.
Twin Pines officials say the demonstration mine they’re planning along Trail Ridge would not threaten the Okefenokee and that the native vegetation would be restored after mining activity is completed. But scientific studies have concluded the project would significantly damage one of the largest intact freshwater wetlands in North America by drawing down its water level and increasing the risk of drought and fires.