CHARLTON COUNTY, Georgia — Twin Pines Minerals, LLC is one big step closer to building a mine near the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp and a federally protected wildlife refuge. The facility will be located on State Route 94 in Charlton County, Ga.
On Friday, Georgia regulators released draft permits for the project. The permit would ultimately allow for the withdrawal of 1.44 million gallons of water daily from the Floridian Aquifer.
Opponents say putting a titanium mine right next to the preserved land and the Okefenokee Swamp could forever damage the natural treasure.
“This mine threatens to dramatically reduce water levels in the Okefenokee, which would severely harm wildlife and increase wildfire risk,” said Jason Totoiu, a senior attorney at the Center for Biological Diversity. “If state regulators OK an industrial operation next to this national treasure, they’ll be ignoring the refuge’s unparalleled beauty and biodiversity, as well as its cultural significance and economic values. The disastrous water diversions and industrial use of the Everglades is a stark reminder of the long-term harm caused by short-sighted economic decisions. We can’t let that happen to the Okefenokee.”
A virtual public meeting will be held on March 5, 2024, at 6 p.m., and it will be conducted via Zoom.
Georgia state regulators are taking public comments, so you can tell them what you think about the proposed mine.
To see the draft permit applications at the Twin Pines information site, CLICK HERE.
Anyone can send comments to Georgia regulators at: twinpines.comment@dnr.ga.gov.
The public comment period was extended to 60 days after Feb. 9.
According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources inside the Environmental Protection Division:
The public may submit written comments concerning the draft permits. Persons wishing to comment on the draft permit are required to submit their comment, in writing, to the EPD... via email to twinpines.comment@dnr.ga.gov. Comments must be received by the EPD no later than 30 days after the date on which this notice is first published online. (Should the comment period end on a weekend or holiday, comments will be accepted up until the next working day.) The EPD, in making its final decision to issue permits, will review all comments received on or prior to that date.