- The purpose of HB 1289 is to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from surface mining on nearby Trail Ridge. The bipartisan legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Ron Stephens, R-Savannah, and others was introduced a month ago but so far4 there appears no movement—and no hearing— in the state House Natural Resources and Environment Committee.
- The Coastal Marshlands Restoration Act of 2021, HB 748, is touted as being more about establishing ownership than about restoring marsh. Sponsored by state Rep. Jesse Petrea, R-Savannah, it would streamline the process of verifying private ownership of salt marsh for owners trying to make some money on it by mitigation banking. GPB’s Alex Guevara has more details on what Petrea argues is necessary legislation.
