On Jan. 12, the 2026 Georgia General Assembly will be gaveled into session. The optimist in me wants to encourage the Gold Dome leadership to use those 40 days to solve—once and for all—the protected future of the Okefenokee Swamp.
Now is the time to stop stalling and do something. The vast majority of Georgians believe the Okefenokee Swamp is a treasure, perhaps our “Yellowstone.” Besides its 438,000 acres of beauty and wonder, the swamp serves an irreplaceable ecological purpose.
Earlier this year, we saw private money thwart the controversial mining project of Twin Pines Minerals. Altruistic dollars did what bickering and debates had failed to do. The headstrong mining company sold its property and retreated to Alabama.
For the vision and generosity of The Conservation Fund, we shout, “Hallelujah!” A monumental step into the future of Georgia’s great-great-great-grandchildren and beyond.
A downside for Charlton County is the loss of promised jobs that are desperately needed.
Hold those thoughts for a few moments.
Why has there been a yearslong hesitancy to do the right thing and save the Okefenokee forever?
In my opinion, there are two major unresolved issues:
§ Will mining on the Trail Ridge, the Swamp’s eastern sand-dune boundary, endanger the water level and sustainability of the biodiverse blackwater sanctuary, aka “The Land of the Trembling Earth”?
§ If the state’s Environmental Protection Division (EPD) blocks adjoining landowners from mining, will that violate their constitutionally protected private-property rights?
I am not a scientist or an attorney, but I have learned these things.
Scientific experts at the University of Georgia have just released findings that mining—on the lip of the Swamp—could do harm to Okefenokee National Wildlife Reserve. Details of that report are available at https//iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/3033-4942/ae2653. I’ll let the facts speak for themselves.
In addition, I believe private-property rights have been the core reason Rep. Lynn Smith, chair of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee, has repeatedly balked at bringing a bipartisan measure up for a vote that could propel the bill into full-House consideration.
The late Rep. David Ralston, speaker of the House, was a friend. Frustrated over Lynn’s lack of action on other proposed environmental legislation, I asked him about her annual foot dragging. David smiled and said, “Rep. Smith is a good soldier.” To me, that meant she was simply following orders from the Gold Dome’s higher-up chain of command.
With the upcoming 2026 session, I see a way for Georgia leaders to stop dragging their feet, too.
Here’s how:
I respect private-property owner rights. I don’t want anyone to trample yours or mine. Property rights run with the land. Only the owner of the property can assert and exercise them. The people of the United States own the Okefenokee property, including the water under it. The issue of disrespecting private-property rights should be removed as a stumbling block.
The first detail that should be scientifically established is what is the safe perimeter of the Okefenokee. When that critical boundary is drawn, the inside-the-line owners should be invited to explore these possibilities:
§ Would they be willing to sell their acreage?
§ Would they be willing to sell just the mineral rights of the tract(s)?
§ Would they consider donating all or a portion of that acreage in return for a tax deduction?
Now is the perfect time for a public-private hands-joining to save the Okefenokee. Under the leadership of Gov. Brian Kemp, the state of Georgia has continued to be nationally recognized as the place to do business. And the Peach State has prospered, accumulating a rainy-day surplus of more than $14 billion. Excellent. Those funds should be managed wisely.
I suggest a smart investment would be to use a small fraction of those taxpayer dollars as a challenge to private conservation-minded donors. Make it a 50-50 initiative to complete the protection of our irreplaceable Okefenokee Swamp.
Once and for all.
Georgia would put up half if private citizens and philanthropic organizations would meet the match. The Conservation Fund has already demonstrated its financial firepower to be a game-changer for the right causes. I believe others would be inspired to follow this example. The optimist in me trusts there’s a teamwork solution.
I also believe Georgia has the nation’s best economic development team. Let’s put more emphasis on helping the Charlton counties of our state.
Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns and members of the General Assembly, you can help to create a lasting win-win. Your leadership could establish an honorable legacy that will live far beyond the lives of your great-great-great-grandchildren and millions more grateful Georgians.
How about it?
dnesmith@cninewspapers.com