April 6, 2024

TUES. 4/9 DEADLINE for public comments on Okefenokee mining proposal

Alabama mining company Twin Pines, LLC hasn’t given up on plans to mine titanium at Trail Ridge, an important natural dam near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, threatening this unique and wondrous natural resource as well as the adjacent St. Marys River. Twin Pines' plans include pumping 1.4 million gallons of water a day from the aquifer that feeds the Okefenokee. Despite the obvious threat to the wildlife refuge, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources granted a permit for the proposed mine in February, with a public comment period that extends through this Tuesday, April 9. (You can thank the Trump administration for the loophole that enabled the approval.)

Submit your comments directly to the DNR at [email protected] or use the comment form on one of the websites below. As always, personal, unique comments are weighted more heavily than form letters, so if you have the time, phrasing your comments in your own words will be most effective. If you’ve visited the Okefenokee personally, including your appreciation for the place is a nice touch. (And if not, you really should visit, because it’s gorgeous!)

Key issues / talking points are summarized on the Georgia Water Coalition’s website:
https://www.gawater.org/okefenokee-swamp - scroll down to What's so special about the Okefenokee?. Here are some quotes from the Georgia Conservancy's April 5, 2024 letter to DNR:

• The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge provides a safe haven for thousands of species of plants and animals, including many that are threatened and endangered.


• In addition, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge functions as an international destination for outdoor recreation and serves as an unmatched location for wonder, spiritual renewal, and solitude.


• Boasting more than 700,000+ visits per year, the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is an economic engine that contributes more than $64 million to the local economies and supports an associated 750 long-term, sustainable jobs.


• Simultaneously, the Okefenokee provides invaluable ecosystem services such as water quality protection and carbon sequestration.

Full Georgia Conservancy letter is here: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/573a164662cd94560721d9a7/t/6610330627e05f1347d0d527/1712337671232/Twin+Pines+-+Draft+Permit+GC+Comment+Letter+040924.pdf

To get an idea of how special this place is, see:



For more information, see:

• Georgia Conservancy - https://www.georgiaconservancy.org/okefenokee/mining


• Southern Environmental Law Center - https://act.southernenvironment.org/o9jl4iw


• Georgia Water Coalition - https://www.gawater.org/okefenokee-swamp


• Atlanta Journal-Constitution: ‘Not now, not ever’: Public tells officials to stop Okefenokee mine - https://www.ajc.com/news/business/not-now-not-ever-public-tells-officials-to-stop-okefenokee-mine/5CACOOZADZEHJGAWRABU32ICRE/


• ”A Dire Threat to a National Wildlife Treasure” - NY Times essay by Margaret Renkl - https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/25/opinion/okefenokee-strip-mine-georgia.html
  (non-paywall version: https://archive.ph/rxQd8)


• Overview from the Savannah Morning News - https://www.savannahnow.com/story/news/environment/2024/02/15/georgia-issues-drafts-permits-for-controversial-mine-near-okefenokee-swamp/72617797007/


• Other articles from the Savannah Morning News / SavannahNow.com - https://www.savannahnow.com/search/?q=Twin+Pines+Okefenokee

April 5, 2024

Family: Larf and Sing

April 5, 2024

Hawktail: In the Kitchen

March 30, 2024

NC State women over Stanford - impressive win

After a lackluster first half, the Wolfpack started moving the ball more and attacking the basket, getting the Stanford bigs in foul trouble. The NC State guards, especially Aziaha James, responded to adversity and came through in the clutch.

I wasn't really rooting for either team in particular, but I was happy for this team that had started the year on nobody’s bracket projections and now is in the Elite Eight. It was a fun game to watch.

And the Wolfpack men advanced as well. Congrats to “the other North Carolina school” on a big day for both programs.

February 25, 2024

Jean-Luc Ponty and George Duke: Cantaloupe Island

February 25, 2024

Frank Zappa: San Ber'dino (feat. Adrian Belew)

February 25, 2024

Mats and Morgan: King Kong

February 25, 2024

Super Satori: Lucille Has Messed My Mind Up

February 25, 2024

Geronimo Black - '59 Chevy

February 21, 2024

"Oleo" - Miles Davis Live at the Blackhawk

Miles Davis – trumpet
Hank Mobley – tenor saxophone
Wynton Kelly – piano
Paul Chambers – bass
Jimmy Cobb – drums

Friday, April 21, 1961 - San Francisco