Bill
Bill > HB562
GA HB562
GA HB562Natural Resources, Department of; five-year moratorium on acceptance of applications for new or requests to modify existing permits; provisions
summary
Introduced
02/20/2025
02/20/2025
In Committee
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
2025-2026 Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT To amend Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to surface mining, so as to provide for a five-year moratorium on the acceptance of applications for new permits and the acceptance of requests to modify existing permits by the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources to expand the area of land affected by surface mining operations on Trail Ridge; to provide a definition; to provide exemptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.
AI Summary
This bill establishes a five-year moratorium on new surface mining permit applications and modifications for an area known as Trail Ridge, which is a specific geological feature located near the Okefenokee Swamp in Georgia. The bill precisely defines Trail Ridge's geographical boundaries using watershed and elevation markers, and stipulates that from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2030, the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources cannot accept new permit applications or permit modification requests that would expand the land area used for surface mining operations in this region. The moratorium does not apply to permit applications that were submitted and deemed complete by June 30, 2025, which can still be processed normally. This legislation appears designed to temporarily halt potential expansion of mining activities in a specific environmentally sensitive area, likely to protect the ecological characteristics of the Okefenokee Swamp and surrounding landscape.
Committee Categories
Agriculture and Natural Resources
Sponsors (6)
Debbie Buckner (D)*,
Gerald Greene (R)*,
Carolyn Hugley (D)*,
Steven Sainz (R)*,
Ron Stephens (R)*,
Darlene Taylor (R)*,
Last Action
House Natural Resources And Environment Subcommittee On Resource Management (upon Adjournment) (15:30:00 3/3/2025 415 CLOB) (on 03/03/2025)
Official Document
bill text
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
Loading...
bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/70613 |
| BillText | https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/legislation/document/20252026/233275 |
Loading...