News
The threat of mining near the Okefenokee Swamp has garnered the attention of media outlets from across Georgia and the nation. On this page find information about the swamp’s inclusion in American Rivers’ Most Endangered Rivers list for 2020, the Georgia Water Coalition’s Dirty Dozen list for 2019 and more. The threat of titanium mining along Trail Ridge adjacent to the swamp is nothing new. In the 1990s, DuPont proposed an extensive mine there, but it was met with widespread opposition from the Department of the Interior all the way to Georgia Gov. Zell Miller. Ultimately, DuPont decided not to risk the uncommon Okefenokee in pursuit of a common mineral like titanium.
Okefenokee / St Marys River Named Most Endangered River of 2020 by American Rivers
American Rivers named the Okefenokee Swamp and St. Marys River as one of America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2020, citing the threat titanium mining would pose to the waterways’ clean water, wetlands and wildlife habitat.
The annual America’s Most Endangered Riversreport is a list of rivers at a crossroads, where key decisions in the coming months will determine the rivers’ fates.
Okefenokee Swamp Listed on the Georgia Water Coalition’s 2019 Dirty Dozen List
The Georgia Water Coalition’s 2019 Dirty Dozen report highlights the politics, policies and pollution that pose the greatest risks to Georgia’s water and her 10 million citizens.
Press Releases and Media Events
July 14, 2020. Over 30 Groups Organize to Save the Okefenokee Swamp.
View the zoom video of the media roundtable held on July 13, 2020.
Op-eds and Letters to the Editor
November 19, 2020. Northside News. “LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp must be protected”
November 18, 2020. Savannah Morning News. “Okefenokee Miners Have More to Prove”
November 11, 2020. Savannah Morning News. “Mining President Pledges Project W0n’t Impact Okefenokee”.
November 4, 2020. Athens Banner Herald. “River watchdog: Federal clean water law changes threaten Okefenokee”
November 4, 2020. The Augusta Chronicle. “River watchdog: Federal clean water law changes threaten Okefenokee”
November 4, 2020. The Savannah Morning News. “River watchdog: Federal clean water law changes threaten Okefenokee”
March 26, 2020. Savannah Now, “Would-be Okefenokee miners try new tactic” by Rena Peck.
January 14, 2020. Charlton County Herald, “Letter to the Editor: Response to City of Folkston, Development Authority” by Mark Lyons, Citizens Against Phosphate Mining
December 23, 2019. Charlton County Herald. “Letter to the Editor: Development Authority supports Twin Pines” by Dev. Authority Board of Directors, Charlton County Development Authority
December 31, 2019, Charlton County Herald, “Letter to the Editor: U.S. EPA still says mine would have substantial and unacceptable impact” by John Quarterman, Suwannee Riverkeeper
Dec. 10, 2019. Letter to the Editor: Potential titanium mine threatens local economy Charlton County Herald, by Alex Kearns, St. Mary’s Earthkeepers
October, 25, 2019. Blue Ridge Outdoors. “Don’t Drain the Swamp” by Christian Hunt, Defenders of Wildlife.
October 23, 2019, Charlton County Herald, “Twin Pines: No Keys to the Okefenokee”. Christian Hunt.
October 19, 2019, Charlton County Herald, “That’s Your Job” by Alex Kearns, St. Mary’s Earthkeepers
September 25, 2019, Charlton County Herald, “Convenience of private profit is no excuse to mine the Okefenokee” by John Quarterman, Suwanee Riverkeeper.
September 7, 2019. Florida Times Union. “Mining has no place near the Okefenokee”. Christian Hunt, Defenders of Wildlife.
August 29, 2019. Savannah Morning News, “Mining next to Okefenokee Remains a bad idea”. Rena Peck Stricker, Georgia River Network
Aug. 20, 2019. Charlton County Herald, “‘It’s a shame to silence and gag majority’”. Mark Lyons, Citizens Against Phosphate Mining.
August 17, 2019. The Brunswick News, “Speak out against Twin Pines Proposal”. Alex Kearns, St. Mary’s Earthkeepers.
August 13, 2019. Charlton County Herald. “Letter to the Editor”. John Quarterman, Suwannee Riverkeeper.
July 21, 2019. Valdosta Daily Times, “Swamp, Suwannee more valuable than titanium” by John Quarterman, Suwannee Riverkeeper.
July 20, 2019. The Brunswick News. “Okefenokee refuge should be protected “ by Alice Keyes, 100 Miles.
July 17, 2019. The Brunswick News, “Mining facility should be shelved if it hurts refuge” Editorial (signed by Brunswick News)
Articles
November 18, 2020. GPB. “Georgia’s U.S. Senate Runoff Could Determine Fate Of Mine Near Okefenokee”
November 18, 2020. Savannah Morning News. “Ogeechee River, Okefenokee on Georgia Water Coalition Dirty Dozen List.”
November 12, 2020. NBC News. “Trumps Border Wall, Endangered Ecosystems and Sacred Sites”.
November 5, 2020. Mining. “Twin Pines Minerals wrestles with green backlash”
November 5, 2020. Public News Service. “Conservationists: Proposed Mining Project Threatens Wildlife Refuge”
October 30, 2020. The Washington Post. “Trump rolled back more than 125 environmental safeguards. Here’s how.“
October 24, 2020. WTOC. “Rule change could allow mining near Okefenokee Swamp”.
October 23, 2020. The Savannah Morning News. “Relaxed rules by the Trump Administration boost mining plan near Okefenokee” by Mary Landers.
October 23, 2020. Our Daily Planet. “Trump Administration OKs Draining the Swamp — The Okefenokee Swamp”.
October 20, 2020. WABE. “Proposed Mine Near Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp Gets A Major Hurdle Removed” by Molly Samuel.
September 30, 2020. The Brunswick News. “Lawyer alleges fraud in mining permit” by Gordon Jackson.
September 18, 2020. Savannah Morning News. “Business giant near Okefenokee refuge fights back against planned mining”
July 15, 2020. E&E Coalition aims to fend off mining near Okefenokee
July 18, 2020. The Rome News Tribune. CRBI joins national alliance to protect Okefenokee Swamp.
July 18, 2020. KPVI 6. “Groups organize to save Okefenokee Swamp”.
July 15, 2020. The Brunswick News, Alliance formed to block mining plans by Gordon Jackson. Grn and opa
July 15, 2020. Alabama.com. Groups unite to stop Alabama company from mining near Georgia wildlife refuge by Gordon Jackson.
July 14, 2020. Capitol Beat. Coalition of environmental groups fighting proposed titanium mine by Dave Williams.
July 14, 2020. Atlanta Journal Constitution. “Conservation groups form coalition to prevent mining at Okefenokee”
June 3, 2020. The Brunswick News, “Public comment period for mining project generates large response” by Gordon Jackson.
May 28, 2020. Valdosta Daily Times, “Okefenokee, St. Marys among America’s most endangered rivers“.
May 28, 2020. The Saporta Report, “Okefenokee Swamp: More Than 60,000 Public Comments in Period Ending Thursday”, by David Pendered.
May 22, 2020. Aubudon. Proposed Georgia Mine Next To Okefenokee Swamp Raises Alarms.
May 14, 2020. Capitol Beat. “Twin Pines Minerals pitches proposed titanium mine near Okefenokee Swamp” by Dave Williams.
May 14, 2020. The Brunswick News. Twin Pines presentation dominates public meeting on proposed mine by Gordon Jackson.
May 12, 2020. E&E News.”Planned mine near Okefenokee stirs up ghosts” by James Marshall.
April 22, 2020, Charlton County Herald. “Twin Pines Minerals resubmits application for mining near Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge” by Marla Ogletree. or click here for pdf
April 21, 2020. Jacksonville Times. “Mark Woods: Even during pandemic, Earth Day matters” by Mark Woods.”
April 21, 2020. Albany Herald, “Okefenokee Swamp, St. Marys River on Most Endangered list”.
April 18, 2020. The Brunswick News “Public comment period for proposed mining extended” by Gordon Rogers
April 17, 2020, WPXI Pittsburg, “Popular local river named one of the country’s most endangered”
April 16 Camden County News “St. Marys River, swamp join list of ‘Most Endangered’ by Jill Helton
April 15, 2020, News 4 Jax, “Mining plan lands Okefenokee, St. Marys on endangered US rivers list”
April 15, 2020. Brunswick News “St. Marys River named among nation’s most endangered” by Gordon Jackson.
April 14, 2020. Savannah Business Journal – “Okefenokee Swamp and St. Marys River named Among America’s Most Endangered Rivers of 2020”
April 14, 2020. “2 largest US rivers top new listing of endangered waterways” by Jim Salter, Associated Press
April 14, 2020. NewsTimes. “2 largest US rivers top new listing of endangered waterways” by Jim Salter
April 14, 2020. Scientific American – “Portions of Mississippi and Missouri Rivers Are Most Endangered in U.S.” by Daniel Cusick
April 14, 2020. Georgia Recorder, “Feds Open Mining Plan to Another Round of Public Comment” by Stanley Dunlap
April 14, 2020. US News & World Report. “Mining Plan Lands Okefenokee on `Endangered’ US Rivers List”
April 14, 2020. New York Times, “2 Largest US Rivers Top New Listing of Endangered Waterways“
April 14, 2020. NewsBreak, “Okefenokee named among ’most endangered’ rivers”
April 14, 2020. USA Today, “Upper Mississippi River is the nation’s ‘most endangered river’ of 2020“
April 14, 2020, Savannah Morning News. “Okefenokee named among ‘most endangered’ rivers”. by Mary Landers
Apr. 7, 2020. Georgia Recorder, Time running short for public to comment on Okefenokee mining plan
Mar. 31, 2020. AJC, New mining application near Okefenokee proposes ‘demonstration’ project
Mar. 27, 2020 Saporta Report, Army Corps advised smaller footprint from proposed mine near Okefenokee Swamp
Mar. 22, 2020, Saporta Report Okefenokee mining applicant laid off entire staff of 40 at sand mine it’s closing in Fl
Mar. 18, 2020, Brunswick News Twin Pines submits new permit application
Mar. 15, 2020, Saporta Report, Okefenokee Swamp: Valuable sands prompt new attempt to mine along Trail Ridge
Mar. 13, 2020, Star Tribune, New Plan Shrinks Proposed Mine Near Okefenokee Swamp Refuge
Mar. 13, 2020, Associated Press, New plan shrinks proposed mine near Okefenokee Swamp refuge
Mar. 2, 2020, The Brunswick News, Mining opposition crosses state line
Feb. 21, 2020, GPB With Mining Near Okefenokee On Hold, Reactions Are Mixed
Feb. 13, 2020. Albany Herald Study says Charlton County mine won’t harm Okefenokee
Feb. 11, 2020 Georgia Recorder, Environmentalists wary of possible scaled-down Okefenokee mining plan
Feb. 8, 2020. AJC, Mining company withdraws permit application for project near Okefenokee
Feb. 4, 2020. Charlton County Herald. Senator wants closer look at mine project near Okefenokee
Jan. 31, 2020. Bluffton Today. Coastal Georgia senator wants closer look at mine project near Okefenokee Swamp
Jan. 30, 2020. The Brunswick News, Opposition growing against proposed mine near Okefenokee
Dec. 10, 2019. Albany Herald, Groups speak out against proposed titanium mine
Sept. 20, 2019. WTOC 11, EPA weighs in on mining proposal for Okefenokee Swamp
Sept. 19, 2019. Savannah Morning News, Agencies: Application for mining near Okefenokee incomplete
Sept. 9, 2019. Savannah Morning News, For Okefenokee supporters, proposed mine too close to refuge
Sept. 9, 2019. WABE, A Familiar Story, Different Details: The Latest Proposal To Mine The Okefenokee
Sept. 2, 2019. NPR, In Georgia, An Old Mining Fight Resurfaces
Sept. 2, 2019. Atlanta Intown Above the Waterline: The great Okefenokee Swamp is threatened, again
Aug. 28, 2019. The Brunswick News, Getting the aerial perspective on a titanium mining project
Aug. 21, 2019. WCTV. Heavy mining facility proposed near Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Aug. 20, 2019. Connect Savannah. Okefenokee in peril
Aug. 20, 2019. Georgia Recorder, Shine more sunlight on plans to mine near treasured Okefenokee
Aug. 20, 2019. Mother Nature Network, Proposal to mine near Okefenokee Swamp raises old fears
Aug. 20, 2019. Georgia Recorder. Meetings last week surface debate: Could mining drain Okefenokee?
Aug. 20, 2019. Saporta Report, Swamp of Dreams: Okefenokee has been plied for riches for over 100 years
Aug 20, 2020. WTOC. https://www.wtoc.com/2019/09/20/draft-add-pdf-epa-weighs-mining-proposal-okefenokee-swamp/
Aug. 19, 2019. WJCL 22, Company says it can safely mine near Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge
Aug. 15, 2019. GPB, Charlton County Backs Proposed Mining Near Okefenokee
Aug. 14, 2019. Savannah Morning News, Company explains its Okefenokee mining plans
Aug. 14, 2019. GPB. 150 Attend Information Session On Mining Near Okefenokee
Aug. 14, 2019. First Coast News. Public concern over proposed titanium strip mine near Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge
Aug. 14, 2019. The Brunswick News Twin Pines explains plans to mine near Okefenokee
Aug. 9, 2019. AJC. Mining proposal raises concerns about future of Okefenokee Swamp Okefenokee Adventures/ Chip Campbell
Jul. 22, 2019. The Brunswick News. Okefenokee refuge impact area in several ways W.S. Stuckey, Jr.
Jul. 19, 2019. GPB. Army Corps Extends Comment Deadline On Mining Near Okefenokee Okefenokee Adventures/ Chip Campbell
Jul. 19, 2019. Agency says mining near Okefenokee poses ‘substantial risks’ Associated Press Fish and Wildlife Service
Jul. 16, 2019. First Coast News. Titanium mine proposed near Okefenokee Refuge US Fish and Wildlife Service/ Michael Lusk
Jul. 15, 2019, GPB. Mining Proposed Near Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Suwannee Riverkeeper/ John Quarterman
Jul. 15, 2019 . Savannah Morning News, “ Strip mining planned next to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge” US Fish and Wildlife Service/ Michael Lusk.
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