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Brief Description of Amy Moore
I am originally from New Smyrna
Beach, FL and have been in Valdosta, GA since Fall 1993. I graduate
from Valdosta State University in June 1997 with a degree in English.
I will continue here in order to receive my Masters in Education.
My topic is Current Events on the Okefenokee, DuPont, and Bruce
Babbitt. Introduction
Recently, I began collecting local articles on the Okefenokee
Wildlife Refuge, DuPont and Bruce Babbitt. In the last two months,
DuPont has made plans to mine titanium mines in the Okefenokee
Swamp. However, due to a massive amount of environmental and
governmental objection, both federal and local, DuPont has reconsidered
its position and has, at least temporarily made plans to hold
off on mining the Okefenokee. In the following will be a recount
of events since April 3, 1997 until May 27, 1997. Summaries of Articles April 3, 1997
The Valdosta Daily Times
featured an article entitled "Babbitt to visit proposed mining
site near Okefenokee. This was the first of a series of articles
bringing the Okefenokee/ Dupont issue to light. This article
tells of Bruce Babbitt's plans to visit the site that DuPont
plans to mine. It also gives an overall view of DuPont's plans
that will be done over a 50 year period beginning in the year
2002. April 4, 1997
The Valdosta Daily Times and
The Georgia Times Union both featured front page articles
about Bruce Babbitt criticizing the mining plans that DuPont has
for the Okefenokee. According to the articles, Babbitt believes
that mining the Okefenokee will ruin it and the wildlife that
live within will be destroyed with the land and water. April 12, 1997
The Valdosta Daily Times
publishes on the front page "DuPont postpones mining operations."
Due to all the opposition to mine the Okefenokee, DuPont decides
to postpone the mining "until they can further study the
impact of the swamp." This article gives the details of
titanium mining and point out that " titanium dioxide is
a lucrative business for DuPont." April 24, 1997
The Valdosta Daily Times
features an article giving the decision of the Department of
Natural Resources to oppose the plans put forth by DuPont. The
DNR had a unanimous vote to put on record that they do not wish
for DuPont to obtain permits until extensive research is done
in the Okefenokee to make certain that no damage will come to
the swamp. May 1, 1997
The Georgia Times-Union (The
Florida Times-Union) features an article entitled
"Georgians protest mining: DuPont Okefenokee plans rapped."
In this article, DuPont shareholders protest the plans to strip
mine the Okefenokee in fear that it will hurt the environment.
DuPont once again repeats its promise that mining will not be
done unless the environment is safe. May 9-10, 1997
The Georgia Times-Union and
The Valdosta Daily Times feature
articles in which there was a flood at a titanium mine near Green
Cove Springs. According to the articles, the spill allowed a
six-mile area of the St. John's river to turn a brown color and
showed no signs of breakup. Fortunately, there were no dangerous
chemicals released into the water. This incident, however, upgraded
fears on the plans that DuPont has for mining the Okefenokee.
May 12, 1997
The Valdosta Daily Times
featured an article entitled "DuPont offering hazardous material
program." In this article, DuPont is helping local agencies
to plan a hazardous materials drill. This drill will help local
agencies if a real spill ever occurs. It will include dumping
a nontoxic material into the water and seeing how fast it can
be remedied. DuPont uses this drill within their company and
usually only offers it to their companies. May 27, 1997
The Florida Times-Union gives
a feature story on the woodpeckers in the Okefenokee. This article
reports on the recent efforts of biologists to tag the woodpeckers
living in the Okefenokee to figure out which area of the refuge
the woodpeckers prefer to live. This is being done because the
woodpeckers are unhappy with replacement trees that lumber companies
are putting in. Appendix of the Articles The articles are given in chronological order as they appeared. 1. The Associated Press. "Babbitt to visit proposed mining site near Okefenokee," The Valdosta Daily Times. April 3, 1997. 2. Dunlop, Joe. "Babbitt criticizes mine plans," The Valdosta Daily Times. April 4, 1997. 3. Jackson, Gordon. "Mining controversy: Babbitt asks that Dupont halt plans," The Florida Times-Union. April 4,1997. 4. The Associated Press. "DuPont postpones mining operation," The Valdosta Daily Times. April 12, 1997. 5. The Associated Press. "DNR says no mining in swamp," The Valdosta Daily Times. April 24, 1997. 6. Dominguez, Alex (The Associated Press). "Georgians protest mining: DuPont Okefenokee plans rapped," The Florida Times-Union. May 1, 1997. 7. Jackson, Gordon. "Mine foes see swamp threat," The Florida Times-Union. May 9, 1997. 8. The Associated Press. "Spill has Georgia environmentalists worried," The Valdosta Daily Times. May 10, 1997. 9. Scott, Jodi M. "DuPont offering hazardous material program," The Valdosta Daily Times. May 12, 1997.
10.Jackson, Gordon. "Coloring Okefenokee woodpeckers:
biologists help birds survive," The
Florida Times-Union.
May 27, 1997. |