– March 6, 2024 –
Good morning! We have updates today on two issues nearing a decision point — mining near the Okefenokee and rezoning on Sapelo. We also have the saga of an injured baby whale and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter’s position on limiting protections for this endangered species.
Questions, tips or concerns? Send me a note at mary.landers@thecurrentga.org
Okefenokee hearing
Georgia regulators held a more than 3-hour virtual hearing Tuesday evening on the draft permits issued for mining near the Okefenokee. About 300 people registered for the event and about 100 spoke, all against mining. The Current’s Mary Landers has the full story.
New ammunition against Alabama-based Twin Pines’ mining proposal has come in the form of a comment letter from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service asserting its federal reserved water rights for the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Read the letter here. Russ Bynum of the Associated Press has more about the letter here.
Both bills in the state legislature aimed at restricting mining near the Okefenokee failed to make it out of the House of Representatives by last week’s crossover day deadline, leaving them essentially defunct. The less restrictive of the two bills, however, made it a lot further a lot faster than its companion. The Current’s Mary Landers looks at how campaign contributions may have shaped those paths.
Sapelo case advances
McIntosh County rezoned the traditionally Gullah Geechee community of Hogg Hummock last fall. Black residents took the county to court, arguing the bigger homes allowed will price them out of their own neighborhood.
On Friday attorneys in the case filed proposed orders, with the county arguing for dismissal and the residents wanting it to continue. The issue before the judge now is not the merits of the case, but a technicality. The Current’s Mary Landers has a summary of the proposed orders as well as links to the full text here.
Whale calf dies
On Sunday a dead right whale calf washed up on Cumberland Island. It was the same calf heralded as the first recorded newborn right whale of the season. Researchers have known for almost two months it had been struck by a boat but several re-sightings of it generated hope for its survival. As that calf was struggling with propeller wounds to its head and lip, a yearling right whale was discovered dead off Tybee. Its fractured skull indicated it, too, had been struck by a ship.
Despite these two ship-struck right whales landing on Georgia beaches, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter (R-St. Simons) continues to call for federal regulators to ease off proposed protections for these highly endangered animals. The Current’s Mary Landers has the story.
Also noted:
• Experts, advocates, and members of the public questioned not only Georgia Power’s recent request for more generating capacity, but also the increased use of planet-warming fossil fuels to meet the demand. Emily Jones of WABE/Grist has the details.
• The last bill to pass out of the Georgia House and the last out of the Georgia Senate by the crossover day deadline last week both have an environmental element to them. The house bill, HB 1146, requires state regulators to issue water permits to private companies in areas where no public service can be provided within 12 months. Environmental groups point out it could result in more water-polluting septic. The senate bill, SB 457, creates a consumer utility counsel to represent consumers in matters before the Public Service Commission. The previous counsel was defunded in 2008.
• If you’re watching the Academy Awards on Sunday be aware that three nominated films passed a new Climate Reality Check developed by Good Energy, a nonprofit story consultancy, and Matthew Schneider-Mayerson, associate professor of English and environmental studies at Colby College. Those films were: “Barbie,” “Mission: Impossible—Dead Reckoning Part One,” and “Nyad.” To pass, climate change must exist in the film and a character must know it.
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Nearly 300 attend public hearing on plan to mine near Okefenokee
Mining opponents flooded a virtual hearing with pleas to protect the Okefenokee from Twin Pines’ planned strip mine.
As compromise mining bill advances, a look at Twin Pines’ contributions
Despite having enough co-sponsors to ensure the bill’s passage on the floor of the Georgia House of Representatives, the Okefenokee Protection Act languishes in committee. Contrast that to the speedy progress of HB 1338 that’s been touted as a compromise.
Injured whale calf dies
Another right whale dies while coastal Congressman continues to oppose increased protections.
Two new North Atlantic right whale calves sighted
Two new calves are welcome news after a week that saw a yearling death.
Proposed orders filed for Sapelo zoning case
Hogg Hummock residents fear the larger homes allowed by the rezoning will tax them out of the historic enclave.
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