When I was a girl, the Okefenokee Swamp was a familiar place for me.
After all, my only grandparents lived in Waycross and we spent a good deal of time, especially in the summers, spending vacations with them.
Ah, good times!
So, when Protect Georgia asked for my help to save that swamp, I complied, gladly.
I sent out two letters to accomplish that goal; here are the copies.
I'll be watching to see how those elected vote on the issue.
*****
Sen. Lester Jackson (D-GA-002)
Rep. Edna Jackson (D-GA-165)
Dear Senator Jackson:
Rep. Edna Jackson (D-GA-165)
Dear Senator Jackson:
Dear Representative Jackson:
I urge you to vote yes on HB 1289, which protects the Okefenokee Swamp from nearby mining operations.
The future of the Okefenokee is at risk. Twin Pines Minerals, LLC, an Alabama-based company operated by people running businesses with a history of misrepresentation and pollution, is proposing a mining operation that threatens the Okefenokee and tourism-related jobs in the area. The cities of Homeland, Kingsland, St Marys, Valdosta, and Waycross, GA recently passed local resolutions asking state officials to do everything possible to protect the Okefenokee.
I grew up going to summer camps there, on visits with my grandparents in Waycross. I do hope others will have the opportunity to make such memories for many years to come!
This is the second time in recent history that the future of the Okefenokee has been threatened by mining. In the 1990s, Georgia's leaders stood up to DuPont, the multi-national chemical company, looking to dig up the mineral- rich sands next to the Okefenokee. The minerals in this vulnerable area are used to whiten paint, paper, and food products; hardly critical to national security. The minerals can be found in abundance elsewhere and do not need to be mined on Trail Ridge.
It's up to you to save our swamp. Protections for this area under federal law are unclear. Georgians shouldn't have to rely on the federal government to protect our valuable and irreplaceable Okefenokee. I've asked the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to deny the permit requests for the Twin Pines mine. Please do your part by passing legislation that protects the Okefenokee from this and other risky mining proposals.
I urge you to vote yes on HB 1289, which protects the Okefenokee Swamp from nearby mining operations.
The future of the Okefenokee is at risk. Twin Pines Minerals, LLC, an Alabama-based company operated by people running businesses with a history of misrepresentation and pollution, is proposing a mining operation that threatens the Okefenokee and tourism-related jobs in the area. The cities of Homeland, Kingsland, St Marys, Valdosta, and Waycross, GA recently passed local resolutions asking state officials to do everything possible to protect the Okefenokee.
I grew up going to summer camps there, on visits with my grandparents in Waycross. I do hope others will have the opportunity to make such memories for many years to come!
This is the second time in recent history that the future of the Okefenokee has been threatened by mining. In the 1990s, Georgia's leaders stood up to DuPont, the multi-national chemical company, looking to dig up the mineral- rich sands next to the Okefenokee. The minerals in this vulnerable area are used to whiten paint, paper, and food products; hardly critical to national security. The minerals can be found in abundance elsewhere and do not need to be mined on Trail Ridge.
It's up to you to save our swamp. Protections for this area under federal law are unclear. Georgians shouldn't have to rely on the federal government to protect our valuable and irreplaceable Okefenokee. I've asked the Georgia Environmental Protection Division to deny the permit requests for the Twin Pines mine. Please do your part by passing legislation that protects the Okefenokee from this and other risky mining proposals.
The Okefenokee is the wild heart of Georgia. Don't risk it. Protect the future of the Okefenokee today by voting yes on HB 1289.
