SAVANNAH, Ga. — 

The final approval for a company’s proposal to extract minerals near the Okefenokee Swamp and its protected wildlife refuge in Georgia is approaching as regulators released draft permits on Friday. Critics argue that this project could cause irreversible damage to this valuable natural resource.

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division announced that it will accept feedback from the public for a period of 30 days on the preliminary permits. After this, they will finalize the permits and submit them to the agency director for approval.

Twin Pines Minerals, based in Birmingham, Alabama, has been actively seeking government approval since 2019 to extract titanium dioxide within a distance of 4.8 kilometers from the southern edge of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. This refuge is the largest in the United States east of the Mississippi River.

Federal scientists have warned that mining near the Okefenokee’s bowl-like rim could damage the swamp’s ability to hold water. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland in 2022 declared the proposed mine poses an “unacceptable risk” to the fragile ecosystem at the Georgia-Florida line.

Josh Marks, an environmental attorney from Atlanta and leader of the organization Georgians for the Okefenokee, stated that this day is a somber one in Georgia’s history. He believes that the EPD’s decision may have sealed the fate of the Okefenokee Swamp, which he considers to be the most valuable natural asset of our state.

On Friday, regulators from the state released documents stating that their previous comments remain unchanged, as their analysis indicates that the proposed 312-hectare mine will not greatly affect the Okefenokee or cause a decrease in its water levels.

The agency stated that according to EPD’s models, the mine will have little impact on the Okefenokee refuge, even in times of drought.

Twin Pines’ President, Steve Ingle, praised the regulators’ choice to proceed following what he described as a “comprehensive assessment of our request.”

For years, Ingle has maintained that his company is capable of mining without causing harm to the Okefenokee.

In a statement, Ingle stated that our mining-to-reclamation project will be closely monitored by the government to ensure the protection of the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge and the environment in the region.

The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge spans about 1,630 square kilometers in the southeastern region of Georgia. It provides a habitat for protected species such as alligators and bald eagles. The refuge, managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, attracts approximately 600,000 visitors annually with its diverse wildlife, cypress forests, and flooded prairies.

In February 2019, the Fish and Wildlife Service stated that the planned mine could potentially have significant consequences for the swamp, such as compromising its ability to retain water. The service also noted that certain effects may not be reversible, fixable, or sufficiently reduced.

According to a written report from University of Georgia hydrology professor C. Rhett Jackson, the proposed mining pits by Twin Pines could potentially drain a significant amount of groundwater, resulting in a threefold increase in the severity and length of severe droughts in the southeastern part of the swamp.

The decision to approve the mine in Georgia is heavily influenced by state regulators, as the U.S. government typically works with state agencies when considering environmental permits. However, in the case of the Twin Pines project, the U.S. government has given up its oversight.

In 2020, the Army Corps of Engineers decided to no longer have control over the federal permit for Twin Pines due to changes in regulations made by then-President Donald Trump. Although President Joe Biden has attempted to regain federal supervision, the Army Corps has agreed to maintain its hands-off approach through a legal agreement with Twin Pines.

The mining project is progressing while the National Park Service aims to have the Okefenokee wildlife refuge recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Environmental organizations believe this prestigious title would increase awareness of the Okefenokee’s status as one of the few remaining pristine blackwater swamps in the world, housing over 400 species of animals.

The preliminary licenses were issued just 14 days after Twin Pines settled to pay a $20,000 penalty instructed by authorities in Georgia. They stated that the company had broken state regulations while gathering soil samples for their permit request.

Twin Pines refused to admit fault but stated that it accepted the fine in order to prevent any future delays in obtaining permits.

Ben Prater, the southeast director of Defenders of Wildlife, stated that it is impossible for anyone who truly cares about Georgia’s environment to argue that this mine will not cause damage to the essential wetlands and wildlife in the Okefenokee ecosystem. He also emphasized that the EPD’s sole responsibility is to reject the permits.

Certain members of the Georgia legislature are once again advocating for a law that would forbid any future mining outside of the Okefenokee. This proposal was discussed last year, but has not progressed in a House committee. Although this bill would not prevent Twin Pines from acquiring permits that are currently in progress, it would forbid the expansion of their mining activities if it were to be passed.

Source: voanews.com