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To the editor: In response to Dink Nesmith’s editorial last week about the imperiled Okefenokee Swamp, I would like to add a few comments and inform Georgia’s concerned citizens how they can have a voice in protecting the swamp in perpetuity.
The Okefenokee Swamp is:
• 700 square miles of wetland;
• National Wildlife Refuge and Wilderness Area;
• Nominated as a World Heritage Site;
• Headwaters of the Suwannee and St Marys rivers;
• One of the most significant wetlands in the United States and the world;
• Home to a diversity of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
These are but a few of the attributes and significant value of the Okefenokee Swamp. The decision to allow Twin Pines Minerals, LLC of Alabama to build a 580-acre titanium mine on Trail Ridge, an ancient sand dune complex, just three miles from the swamp, now rests with the Georgia’s Environmental Protection Division. Despite years of pushback from conservation groups, state, and federal agencies, the state EPD issued a draft plan (https://epd.georgia.gov/twin-pines) on Jan. 19, still considering approving the permit to the company.
The project would be a devastating blow to the integrity of the swamp and surrounding communities. The preponderance of scientific evidence warns against this project that would negatively affect critical habitat for hundreds of species and damage the hydrology of this unique treasure.
The EPD draft is open to public comment via emails at twinpines.comment@dnr.ga.gov, for 60 days for citizens to voice their concerns. The deadline is March 20. Two zoom meetings open to public are scheduled for Feb. 21 and 23 at 6 p.m. https://gaepd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2DroBvkTZGU_40sogt. Please address letters or emails to the governor and to our state House and Senate members to support HB71 https://www.gawater.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01HalandOkefenokeeSwampLetter.pdf, a bill that would protect the surrounding areas of the swamp from future exploitation.
Our Habersham State Senators are Bo Hatchett and Shelly Echols, our State House Representatives are Victor Anderson and Chris Erwin. Please contact them about your concerns for the preservation of our Okefenokee Swamp.
In addition, a coalition of conservation groups and concerned citizens have set up the Okefenokee Protection Alliance, https://protectokefenokee.ogr that represents a plethora of groups opposed to Twin Pine’s proposal.
The ball is in our court!
Joel Volpi
Cornelia