As luck or coincidence or evil forces would have it, the same day that HPS II penned their letter withdrawing the mining permit application in Bradford County, the Georgia EPD released the mining plan for Twin Pines LLC who wants to mine next to the Okefenokee Swamp headwaters.
We have made several posts regarding this dangerous and foolish endeavor. OSFR has also made multiple trips to the region to protest this action from the questionable qualifications of Twin Pines. We have made numerous comments as to their lack of understanding of the very things they are threatening in their ignorance.
Twin Pines is currently operating in Florida alongside Chemours. Some of these operations take place within the Santa Fe Basin and their toxins far exceed their mining area and enter the Santa Fe waterways. These operations are shown to have negative impacts in a scientific article “Analysis and Extent of Santa Fe River Flooding in North Florida Attributed to Rainfall and Wind Damage Associated with Hurricane Irma” published in 2019 by Dr. Sydney Bacchus and others in the journal Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection.
Mining will have irreversible impacts which change forever the water system of rivers. For example, Dr. Bacchus in her article (p.299) points out that Chemours destroyed the wetlands at the head of Alligator Creek which resulted in water moving much faster through that area causing flooding downstream. Chemours did not and could not restore these wetlands as they were before.
Go to this link to see photos and more details on the mine threat.
Titanium is not uncommon and is the seventh-most abundant metal. It is found in many countries and there is no need to put at risk one of the nation’s greatest natural resources. Mining accidents are the norm and in a flash irreparable harm could be done.
In spite of the efforts by Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff and U.S. Sec. of the Interior Deb Haaland as well as environmental groups, this process is moving forward.
As was just proved by the mining permit withdrawal by HPS II after a seven-year fight, these large corporations can be defeated, but it takes a lot of people. We need your help, and we are on the right side of this issue.
Please note in the information below that the meetings have limited attendance and please be sure to turn in written comments.
Read the original notice here at Okefenokee.org.
Comments by OSFR historian Jim Tatum.
jim.tatum@oursantaferiver.org
– A river is like a life: once taken,
it cannot be brought back © Jim Tatum
Twin Pines Minerals LLC Mining Proposal Update as of January 2023:
On January 19, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division released Twin Pines Minerals LLC’s draft Mining Land Use Plan (Draft Plan) and opened the 60-day public commenting period – allowing concerned citizens and Swamp advocates to voice their concerns and opposition to Twin Pines’ mining proposal. Additionally, Georgia EPD is allowing comments through two scheduled virtual public meetings on February 21 and 23 at 6 PM EST.
Please register for one of the two meetings here: https://gaepd.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2DroBrvkTZGU_4OsogtPSQ
There is a capacity of 1,000 people per meeting and it is excepted that they will both reach capacity.
More information on the Draft Plan can be found at: https://epd.georgia.gov/twin-pines
Please submit your comments on the Draft Plan and your support for the Okefenokee Swamp via email to: twinpines.comment@dnr.ga.gov
Or via mail to:
Land Protection Branch
4244 International Parkway, Atlanta Tradeport, Suite 104
Atlanta, GA 30354
Need help crafting your comments?
Please see the Okefenokee Protection Alliance’s Okefenokee Talking Points on the Resources page.
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