ATLANTA — Georgians ranging from expert scientists to a high-school student testified against a proposed mining site on the edge of the Okefenokee Swamp Tuesday night during a virtual public hearing.
The diverse group outlined the potential environmental and cultural damage the proposed titanium oxide mine could inflict on the largest blackwater swamp in North America.
Twin Pines Minerals, an Alabama mining company, has applied for permission to build the mine along Trail Ridge in Charlton County near the southeastern edge of the swamp.
The controversial proposal has been the subject of a jurisdictional back-and-forth between federal and state environmental agencies.
Currently, the state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) has jurisdiction over the mining company’s plan. Earlier this year, Twin Pines submitted a draft Mining Land Use Plan to EPD. The plan must be finalized before the EPD can proceed with a draft permitting process.
During the hearing, opponents outlined a host of reasons they believe the mine should not be built.
“According to numerous independent scientists, the mine will damage the swamp, first by lowering the swamp’s water level and second by dumping over one ton per day of salt into the swamp as a result of its wastewater evaporation,” said Joshua Marks, president of Georgians for the Okefenokee.
Marks also highlighted a letter signed by University of Georgia professor Rhett Jackson and ten other hydrology professors that contends the EPD used incorrect locations in evaluating the impact of the mine.
“EPD used the wrong river gauge [location], 15 miles downstream of the swamp to evaluate the mine’s impact, instead of the gauge right next door,” Marks said. “This would be like going to a doctor for a shoulder sprain [but the] doctor instead examines your ankle.”
Seventeen-year-old Natalie…
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