Okefenokee Threat

[Jimmy Harris]

To all fans of the Okefenokee, please look over this information from the Georgia Conservancy.

Here’s their summary:

“The Georgia Conservancy continues to have concerns regarding this mining proposal and the threats that it poses to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and nearby habitats. We are currently reviewing the draft permits and will provide updates and our official public comments shortly.

On February 9, 2024, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division issued draft Groundwater Withdrawal, Air Quality, and Surface Mining Permits to Twin Pines, LLC for the Phase 1 Demonstration Mine on Trail Ridge.

Per Georgia EPD: On February 9, 2024, Georgia EPD initially placed the draft permits on a 30-day public notice to solicit public comment. After receiving multiple requests to extend the comment period, EPD has decided to extend the public comment period to 60 days. These draft permits can be found on the EPD website. A virtual public meeting will be held on March 5, 2024 to receive comments on these documents and to provide an update on the permitting process. Comments will also be accepted at TwinPines.Comment@dnr.ga.gov. EPD will consider all public comments and may request the applicant make changes to address those comments. EPD will post a response to comments on the EPD website after the official comment period closes.

Register for March 5 the virtual public meeting: https://gaepd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ff7nrdELQPOr0DaPwfxK3A#/registration”

See the Conservancy’s website for more information:

https://www.georgiaconservancy.org/okefenokee/mining

We hope this information is helpful to our fellow members of the Georgia conservation community.

 

[redneck_billcollector]

This needs to be posted in all of the forums on this board.

 

[Djangofly]

Does anyone have a substantive draft comment that can be submitted to the email address in opposition to the project? Something more articulate than "I don't like this" perhaps?