A U.S. wildlife agency approved plans to expand the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, potentially enabling the government to buy land earmarked for a controversial mining project near the swamp.
Russ Bynum reports for The Associated Press.
In short:
- The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approved a 22,000-acre expansion to the Okefenokee refuge, aiming to protect the surrounding ecosystem.
- The expansion could affect land owned by Twin Pines Minerals, which is seeking state permits to mine titanium dioxide near the refuge.
- Conservationists argue mining could permanently damage the swamp's water retention, while the company insists the project poses no threat.
Key quote:
“This minor expansion will help further conservation efforts for the swamp along with the threatened and endangered species that inhabit it.”
— Michael Lusk, Okefenokee refuge manager
Why this matters:
The Okefenokee Swamp is one of the most ecologically significant wetlands in the U.S., supporting hundreds of animal species and drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Mining could jeopardize this natural resource and set a precedent for environmental protections amid regulatory uncertainty.
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