Legislators heard arguments for new and renewed bills over whether to allow mining near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, just like they have the last two sessions. But this year, the stakes are higher: the Georgia Department of Environmental Protection is in its final stages of permitting a proposed mine on the edge of the South Georgia swamp.
The House Natural Resources & Environment Resource Management Subcommittee met on March 3 for environmentalists, mining proponents and legislators to talk swamp and swap invectives.
“Everyone here acknowledges mining there is going to be complex, and it is an extremely sensitive area,” said Amy Sharma, executive director of the nonprofit Science for Georgia. “There’s been some seriously epic nerd fights about this.”
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