News
The threat of mining near the Okefenokee Swamp has garnered the attention of media outlets from across Georgia and the nation. This page provides 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, 2020, and 2021 and other news items related to the proposed mine and the Okefenokee Swamp.
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, 2020, 2021 Dirty Dozen List
The Georgia Water Coalition’s Dirty Dozen report highlights the politics, policies and pollution that pose the greatest risks to Georgia’s water and her 10 million citizens.
Read the 2019 report here.
Read the 2020 report here.
Read the 2021 report here.
A letter From the Science Community
The science and engineering community has composed and signed a letter about the most-likely effects of a mine near the Okefenokee Swamp. Read the letter here.
A Letter from 100+ Faith Leaders
Over 100 Faith Leaders have signed a letter calling on public officials to protect the sacred Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Read the letter here.
Press Releases and Media Events
September 16, 2021. Center for Biological Diversity press release. “Mobile Billboard to Be Launched Friday in Atlanta to Spotlight Proposed Mine’s Threat to Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge”
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.
Articles
January 7, 2022. Savannah Now. “Sen. Ossoff calls on EPA, Army Corps to halt titanium mine near Okefenokee Swamp”
January 7, 2022. Brunswick News. “Supreme Courts opens door to new challenge to mining near the Okefenokee”
January 3, 2022. Saporta Report. “Okefenokee Swamp mining proposal could be affected by Supreme Court ruling”
December 15, 2021. GPB. “Environmentalists’ 2021 list of Georgia water problems features old and new issues”
December 9, 2021. The Brunswick News. “Scientists Join to Oppose Mining Near Okefenokee”
December 1, 2021. WABE 90.1. “Scientists Decry Mining Plan Near Okefenokee”
November 20, 2021. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “After Federal Ruling, Okefenokee Mine’s Fate Still Left to Georgia Agency”
November 17, 2021. Valdosta Daily Times. “Valdosta Council Opposes Swamp Mine Plan”
November 16, 2021. The Current Georgia. “Catholic Nuns Pressure Mining Company to Protect Okefenokee”
November 16, 2021. Valdosta Today. “Valdosta Passes Resolution Opposing Strip Mine Near Okefenokee Swamp”
November 15, 2021. Fox 31 WFXL. “The City of Valdosta is Working Together to Protect the Okefenokee Swamp”
November 14, 2021. Johnson City Press. “Valdosta City Council Passes Resolution Opposing Mine Near Okefenokee”
November 12, 2021. Savannah Morning News. “Advocates Call on Chemours to Vow Never to Operate Titanium Mine Near Okefenokee Swamp”
October 26, 2021. GPB. “Former Federal, State Officials Slam Proposed Mine at Swamps ‘Doorstep’
October 25, 2021. Georgia Recorder. “Former Federal, State Officials Slam Proposed Mine at Swamps ‘Doorstep'”
October 22, 2021. The Current. “Okefenokee Mine Project: What is Titanium Used For?
October 7, 2021. Saporta Report. “New video: ‘Sacred Waters: The Okefenokee in Peril’”
October 6, 2021. Georgia Recorder. “Georgia Faith Leaders Appeal to Officials to Spare ‘Sacred’ Okefenokee From Mine”
October 4, 2021. Saporta Report. “Threat of Mining Still Present Near Okefenokee Swamp.”
September 17, 2021. National Geographic. “10 of the Best Backcountry Adventures in the Deep South”
September 11, 2021. Washington Post. “Okefenokee Joe, ‘an amazing old’ alligator named after a Georgia singer, has died”
September 4, 2021. Albany Herald. “Federal Judge’s Ruling Could Stop Proposed Mine Near Okefenokee”
September 3, 2021. Saporta Report. “Okefenokee Swamp: Federal Clean Water Rules May Again Apply to Proposed Mine“
September 2, 2021. Brunswick News. “Mining Plans to Get More Scrutiny”
September 1, 2021. Associated Press. “Water Ruling Gives Hope to Opponents of Okefenokee Mine Plan“
September 1, 2021. The Current. “Okefenokee Fans Hope Court Ruling on Water Protection Rules Stops Mine.”
August 31, 2021. Bloomberg Law. “Litigation, Confusion to Follow After Overturning of Trump Water Rule“
July 11, 2021. Saporta Report. “National Defense Does Not Need Titanium from Okefenokee Swamp, Industry Says”
June 22, 2021. The Current. “Environmentalists Bank on State Regulators to Stop Okefenokee Mine”
June 22, 2021. Georgia Recorder. “Environmentalists Bank on State Regulators to Stop Okefenokee Mine”
June 11, 2021. The Island Packet. “Undoing Trump Rule Won’t Likely Affect Okefenokee Mine Plan“
June 9, 2021. Yahoo News. “Biden to Increase Federal Water Protections After Trump’s ‘Destructive Impacts’ to US Waterways”
June 9, 2021. Saporta Report. “Georgia Pays Close Attention to Trail Ridge in Review of Okefenokee Mine Application”
June 9, 2021. Politico. “Biden EPA to Reverse Trump’s Sweeping Clean Water Act Rollback”
June 9, 2021. Orlando Sentinel. “Undoing Trump Rule Won’t Likely Affect Okefenokee Mine Plan Near Georgia-Florida Line”
June 8, 2021. The Tifton Gazette. “Fate of Planned Mine Near Okefenokee Left to Georgia Agency”
June 8, 2021. The Decatur Daily. “Drain the Swamp? Mine Opponents Worry Trump Era Rules Don’t Protect Okefenokee”
May 28, 2021. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Environmental Groups Ramping Up Opposition to Okefenokee Mining Project“
May 24, 2021. Bloomberg Law. “Okefenokee Swamp a Battlefield in Epic Trump Water Rules Fight“
May 15, 2021. Savannah Morning News. “Sen. Ossoff Visits Mining-Imperiled Okefenokee Swamp“
May 7, 2021. The Brunswick News. “Senators Want Federal Help With Mine Permit”
May 5, 2021. The Brunswick News. “State EPD Says It’s Capable of Handling Mining Permit”
April 29, 2021. Atlanta Intown. “Above the Waterline: Georgia Officials to Determine Fate of Okefenokee”
April 27, 2021. The Brunswick News. “Critics Concerned EPD Lacks Expertise to Rule on Mining Permit.”
April 24, 2021. Fox28 Savannah. “Georgia Governor Won’t Wade into Debate on Okefenokee Mining.”
April 22, 2021. WABE. “State Has Questions About Mining Plan Near Okefenokee.”
April 19, 2021. The Saporta Report. “Earth Day, BP Gulf Oil Spill Observed as New Challenge Emerges at Apalachicola Bay”
April 18, 2021. The Saporta Report. “Earth Day 2021: Hope Springs Eternal, Even with Threat to Okefenokee Swamp”
April 14, 2021. The Saporta Report. “National Spotlight Shines on South River as Example of Environmental Injustice”
April 8, 2021. The Brunswick News. “Opposition Growing to Mining Proposal”
March 29, 2021. The Saporta Report. “Extracting Natural Resources from Natural Wonders: Okefenokee Swamp, Pamlico River”
March 4, 2021. The Brunswick News. “EPD Accepting Comments About Mining Near Swamp”
March 4, 2021. The Hatch. “Could Mining Impact the Okefenokee?”
March 1, 2021. The Georgia Sun. “Will the Biden Administration Halt Mining Near Okefenokee”
March 1, 2021. The Current. “Okefenokee lovers still hope state, Biden administration will halt mine”
March 1, 2021. The Georgia Recorder. “Okefenokee lovers still hope state, Biden administration will halt mine”
February, 2021. Vice News. “Trump’s Environmental Rollbacks Could Be the End of This Swamp”
December 30, 2020. The Henry Herald. “Environmental groups ask governor to stop mine near Okefenokee”
December 29, 2020. AJC. “Fight over mining proposal near Okefenokee draws national spotlight”
December 29, 2020. KPVI, “Environmental groups ask governor to stop mine near Okefenokee”
December 22. 2020. GPB. “Georgia Environmental Issues Wait In Limbo During Senate Runoff, Presidential Transition”
December 2, 2020. The Charlton County Herald. “Okefenokee Named on Dirty Dozen Report”.
November 25, 2020. The Washington Post. “Trump rule eases effort to strip-mine near Okefenokee Swamp”
November 25, 2020. KPVI. “Environmental groups continue fight against strip mine near Okefenokee“
November 25, 2020. The Albany Herald. “Environmental groups continue fight against strip mine near Okefenokee”
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.
Op-eds and Letters to the Editor
December 8, 2021. The Coastal Courier. “Letter to the editor: About the Okefenokee Swamp”
November 18, 2021. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “Opinion: Save the Priceless Okefenokee Swamp”
September 27, 2021. Savannah Morning News. “Okefenokee Swamp Offers a Chance to Unplug and Recharge in the Georgia Wild”
September 27, 2021. Georgia Recorder. “Pogo Has Some Advice for Us”
August 16, 2021. USA Today 10Best. “What Makes the Okefenokee Swamp Georgia’s Top Tourism Destination”
July 11, 2021. Saporta Report. “Titanium – A Fantastic Mineral the U.S. Doesn’t Need from Near Okefenokee Swamp”
June 2, 2021. Georgia Recorder. “Should We Trust Twin Pines?” by Dink Nesmith
May 24, 2021. Bloomberg Law. “Okefenokee Swamp a Battlefield in Epic Trump Water Rules Fight“
May 21, 2021. Savannah Morning News. “Not-so-sweet idea: Risking the Okefenokee Swamp for an Element Used in Candy Markings“
May 14, 2021. Blue Ridge Outdoors Magazine. “How to Save the South’s Deepest, Darkest Secret“
May 13, 2021. The Brunswick News. “Letter Writer Concerned About Mining Plans”
April 30, 2021. Savannah Morning News. “Miners Should Stay Away from the Okefenokee” by Daniel Blackman
February 2, 2021. Gainesville Sun.”It’s Okefenokee’s turn to take the global stage” by Elise Pautler Bennett
November 21, 2020. Northwest GA News. “Save the Okefenokee Swamp”.
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)
Website hosted by Georgia River Network
okefenokeeprotectionalliance@gmail.com