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Okefenokee Grows By 7,000 Acres Land Donated By Conservation Fund Once Was Embroiled in Controversy

Posted on: Wednesday, 7 December 2005, 18:00 CST

By GORDON JACKSON

OKEFENOKEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE -- The largest national wildlife refuge east of the Mississippi River just got bigger.

The Conservation Fund donated nearly 7,000 acres adjacent to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service at a ceremony Monday, increasing the size of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge to 403,000 acres.

Sam Hamilton, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's regional director, described the donation as "a great gift for the state of Georgia and the entire nation."

"I am especially grateful that we have this successful conservation partnership to help conserve this land," Hamilton said.

The donated land on the refuge's eastern boundary was the center of national controversy in 1997 when environmental groups and federal officials voiced their opposition to a proposal by the DuPont Co. to mine titanium on the property.

Some scientists opposed to the mining project speculated water could drain from the swamp if mining were allowed on a geological formation called Trail Ridge, a 30-foot-high wall of soil running parallel to the refuge. They said the ridge kept the water in the swamp.

In 1999, after two years of negotiating with representatives from different groups with a stake in the project -- from mining and timber companies to local governments and environmental organizations -- DuPont abandoned its mining plans at the site.

The announcement didn't end concerns about the threat of mining the land, however. Some opponents expressed concerns the property could be sold by DuPont to another mining company and the battle could begin again.

In 2003, DuPont officials put the mining issue to rest by donating 16,000 acres to The Conservation Fund. The organization will continue to own the remaining 9,000 acres just east of the donated land.

"It was a significant investment," said David Podmeyer, minerals business manager for DuPont.

Company officials estimated DuPont had invested $20 million into the mining project before donating the land to The Conservation Fund.

Podmeyer said his company listened to the concerns before deciding to abandon mining plans.

"DuPont did the right thing," he said. "We really believe the refuge is an ecological treasure."

The agreement allows International Paper Co. to continue to harvest timber on the property until its lease expires in 2080, but representatives with the company said they will replant the land with native long-leaf pines after the commercial pine trees are harvested. The company also promised to protect the endangered species on the land while it has a lease to harvest trees on the property.

The Georgia Wildlife Federation will hold the conservation easement on the land to ensure it's permanently protected from mining or other development.

"This is a great day and a winning outcome for all parties involved," said Jerry McCollum, the environmental organization's chief executive officer. "The Georgia Wildlife Federation is proud to continue the mission set forth by our founders in 1936 of working cooperatively with landowners, industry and the citizens of Georgia toward land and wildlife conservation for future generations."

Lonice Barrett, director of implementation for the Commission for a New Georgia, attended the dedication on behalf of Gov. Sonny Perdue. Barrett described the refuge as "an international treasure."

"Everyone's so happy this came about," he said. "It was a win- win, times 10."

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, in a prepared statement, praised the donation.

"The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is a natural treasure that must be protected for our children and grandchildren," he said. "I am pleased to see this public-private partnership working together to benefit the environment as well as the local economy."gordon.jackson@jacksonville.com, (912) 729-3672

Source: Florida Times Union

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