Skidaway Democrats wants to ask for your help once again to protect the Okefenokee Swamp from a potentially damaging mining operation.
Twin Pines Minerals, LLC, a mining company based in Alabama, wants to mine for heavy minerals just a few miles from the Okefenokee, but their operation could affect water levels in the swamp, impact the St. Marys River and other watersheds, and affect endangered and threatened species.
Twin Pines originally filed for a permit to mine across 1,200 acres last year, but after significant public outcry, it withdrew the application in February. The company is back with a 900-acre project area, which means we have another chance to comment on the proposal.
We suspect Twin Pines is reducing the size of their project to avoid being required to go through an environmental impact statement process, the highest level of scrutiny for projects like this. But make no mistake, this mine could grow to 12,000 acres or more!
The public comment period closes April 13. The Sierra Club Georgia Chapter and other organizations have asked for the comment period to be extended due to the COVID-19 outbreak, but so far, no extension has been granted.
Thanks for your help! Together, we can make stop this mine and protect this treasured ecosystem.