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Subcommittee hears proposal for temporary moratorium on Trail Ridge mining to allow studies and land purchases
Summary
House Bill 562 would create a temporary moratorium on surface‑mining permits on Trail Ridge adjacent to the Okefenokee, supporters said, to allow additional scientific study and time for potential land acquisition. Witnesses on both sides urged either a pause for data collection or continuation of EPD permitting; no vote was taken.
Representative Darlene Taylor introduced House Bill 562 to the Subcommittee on Resource Management as a narrower alternative to HB 561: a temporary moratorium on new or modified surface‑mining permits on the portion of Trail Ridge that abuts the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Taylor said the pause would create breathing room for federal acquisition efforts and for additional study; Fish and Wildlife Service staff and philanthropic entities were described as potential partners to retire mining rights through purchase.
Nut graf: HB 562 would pause permitting for a defined period (sponsor discussed five years as a preferred timeframe and noted Fish and Wildlife…
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