The People Have Spoken

Thank you! You’ve responded to the threat to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge in astounding numbers. Well over 60,000 people submitted comments regarding Twin Pines Minerals’ applications to mine Trail Ridge (the geological “dam” of the Swamp) in the search for titanium.
- Twin Pines’ March permit application alone (the second one for a smaller area which, we believe, was nothing more than a bid to evade an Environmental Impact Statement) drew 44,000 comments from 50 U.S. states, 4 U.S. territories, and over 30 countries.
- In response to Twin Pines’ March permit application, 34 national, state, regional and local conservation organizations signed a joint comment letter to the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), outlining their deep concerns about Twin Pines’ proposed project.
- On May 13th, the USACE held a virtual public meeting about the proposed project. The video-conference lines were filled to capacity.
The entire nation and much of the world has spoken: protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and the St. Marys and Suwannee Rivers. 

Threats to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge and the St. Marys River

On Thursday, August 15, I attended the Charlton County Board of Commissioners meeting. We knew that they planned to vote on an oddly premature “proclamation of support” for the Twin Pines, LLC, 12,000-acre titanium mining project less than four miles from the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

I was pleased to see the standing-room-only crowd. The Commissioners proceeded quickly through the agenda and then voted unanimously to approve the proclamation. There was no discussion about it. 

The audience members then sat through the entire meeting, waiting for the public comment period – only to be informed, when the time came, that no one from outside Charlton County was allowed to speak.

In the audience were citizens from Camden County, representatives from environmental organizations (Defenders of Wildlife, The Georgia Conservancy, the Georgia River Network, the St. Marys EarthKeepers, etc.), and people from other areas that would be directly impacted by the mining project. We are stakeholders. (As are all who are reading this letter now). We have “standing” in this matter. And yet we were denied the opportunity to address the Commissioners. 

The St. Marys River is born of a tiny stream, known as “River Styx”, that lies deep within the Okefenokee Swamp. From there, this rare blackwater river gains strength until, after a journey of 125 river-miles, it delivers its unique tea-dark potion into the Atlantic. 

Twin Pines LLC (Alabama) plans to base their operation dangerously close to the headwaters of our river. The company is already cited in a consent order on Chemours mines for failure to collect data, spilling waste through silt fences and not cleaning it up, and being out of compliance on numerous counts, including radium and iron, in the Suwannee, St. Johns, and St. Marys River basins in Florida. And now they want to mine beside the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. 

We’ve seen no hydrological studies. They’ve performed no research regarding the potentially-devastating impacts on the nearby hunt-clubs and hunters that rely on the Swamp for their income. No studies have been done about the impacts on tourism. (The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Banking On Nature report found that visitation to the Okefenokee generates an annual income of $64.7 million to the surrounding area and supports an estimated 753 jobs. Twin Pines dangles the carrot of 150 jobs at best - and that number is highly questionable.)  

In fact, Twin Pines offers (in their videotaped words) “no guarantees” that their operation will not negatively and permanently impact the Okefenokee Swamp and the rivers and people that depend upon it.

It is imperative that The United States Army Corp of Engineers hear from the public. We must urge them to require a thorough Environmental Impact Statement before the Twin Pines, LLC project proceeds. Your voices are needed now. 

Please email holly.a.ross@usace.army.mil
Make sure that you refer to the applicant’s name and the application number in your subject line and/or comments:
Twin Pines Minerals, LLC, 2100 Southbridge Parkway, Birmingham, Ala. 35209, Application Number: SAS-2018-00554.

Alex Kearns

Chair

St. Marys EarthKeepers

Mining for Titanium near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge

St. Marys Resolution Prohibiting Balloon Releases

As of Monday, June 3, 2019, St. Marys, Georgia, prohibits the release of balloons. The ordinance is as follows below.

 

Please, if you will, spare a moment to email your thanks to St. Marys Mayor and Council for their unified and decisive action to prevent any more environmental devastation caused by balloon releases. 

 

We supplied them with documented evidence, spoke before them once, and they unanimously decided to do what they could to address the issue. Two weeks later, the ordinance passed. (Special thanks to Councilmember Linda Williams for helping to craft and champion the ordinance.)

It would also be appreciated if you would share the information. Education is the key to the success of any change. 

 

*People are always quick to criticize "the decision-makers" but rather slow to praise them. Let's voice our gratitude this time.

 

John.Morrissey@stmarysga.gov

arjones@stmarysga.gov

jgoodman@stmarysga.gov

Jim.Gant@stmarysga.gov

Dave.Reilly@stmarysga.gov

Allen.Rassi@stmarysga.gov

Linda.Williams@stmarysga.gov

 

 

Save the Dates

First E-Scrap/Paper-Shredding Event of 2018!

Cumberland Island National Seashore/Variance Appeal

A statement from the Board of the St. Marys EarthKeepers:

To Whom it may Concern,

In the matter of the Cumberland Island National Seashore (CINS)/Lumar Hardship Variance Appeal, the Board of the St. Marys EarthKeepers has voted, unanimously, to withdraw from the legal challenge mounted by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of our organization and the National Parks Conservation Association. 

We withdraw not because we no longer oppose the variance or the development of the Lumar tract but because we wish to be able to freely disseminate information to the public and rally the citizens in support of a solution to the issue of the 1,000 acres of fee-simple land: a solution that will adhere to, and honor, the CINS enabling Congressional legislation. 

We cannot fulfill our organization's mandate - "To actively inform, encourage and galvanize the residents of St. Marys and the surrounding area in matters of effective environmental stewardship" - if we are constrained by engaging in a potentially-litigious process. 

The St. Marys EarthKeepers will continue to liaise with all involved parties and to mobilize the citizens of Camden County and beyond in service to the wellbeing of Cumberland Island National Seashore. 

We urge all parties involved to allow the National Park Service the time necessary to explore every avenue in their efforts to craft a solution to the conundrum that has long plagued those who cherish Cumberland Island. We have full faith in the intent and abilities of Superintendent Gary Ingram and wholeheartedly support him in his efforts to forge a path that will safeguard the Island – now and for generations to come.