Mayor Scott James Matheson said he and Council had been discussing solutions to the trash problem, before last Thursday’s Valdosta City Council meeting. Afterwards he came outside and discussed that a bit more. Stay tuned.
There’s also a new Neighborhood Development and Community Protections Manager, Anetra Riley. Community Protections Manager is what they call Code Enforcement, so that is relevant to the trash problem. Continue reading
A perfect evening, with a supermoon, which for a change rose before the sun set.
Seventeen people paddled out on Banks Lake to see the Full Pink Moon, on a weekday evening, yesterday, Monday, April 27, 2021. Continue reading
A little rain didn’t stop us on a fun two nights of camping and two days of paddling to and from Floyd’s Island in the Okefenokee NWR. Yes, the dozen of us saw gators, cormorants, and herons on the Suwannee River, the tree canopy over the run to Floyd’s Island, and deer on the island.
Thanks to Bobby McKenzie for leading this expedition, and to Shirley Kokidko for provoking it.
![[banners, river, gator, canopy, island, deer]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-11-07--okefenokee-floyds-island/many.jpg)
banners, river, gator, canopy, island, deer
Also we saw Georgia River Network’s thirty paddlers coming in Sunday as we were going out, but my camera had run down by then. Here’s a picture of GRN E.D. Rena Ann Peck on the Friday before, in Moniac, GA.
Here are more pictures, also on the WWALS website.
Many paddlers posted pictures on facebook. Continue reading
Update 2020-11-22: Pictures
Overnight Camping at the Okefenokee Swamp: herons, fish, otters, and yes, gators! Maybe you’ll see the black bear that hangs around Stephen C. Foster State Park.
When:
Gather 10 AM and launch 10:30 AM on Saturday, November 7, 2020
Camp overnight, in the Swamp if possible, otherwise at the State Park
or Griffis Fish Camp.
end 5 PM Sunday, November 8, 2020
Put In: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp, 17515 GA-177, Fargo, GA 31631. From Fargo, travel south on US 441 to CR 177; turn left and proceed to Stephen C. Foster State Park, which is after you pass Griffis Fish Camp.
Take Out: Stephen C. Foster State Park Ramp
Bring: camping gear, and the usual personal flotation device, boat, paddles, food, drinking water, warm clothes, and first aid kit. Also trash pickers and trash bags: every WWALS outing is also a cleanup.
Free: This outing is free to WWALS members, and $10 (ten dollars) for non-members. You can pay the $10 at the outing, or online: wwals.net/donations/#outings
We recommend you support the work of WWALS by
becoming a WWALS member today!
wwals.net/donations/#join
Boats: are for rent at the State Park.
Paddling: We’d like to paddle as far in as Floyd’s Island, but depending on conditions we may go to Billys Island or Minnies Lake. Camping on a platform is somewhat difficult in the virus pandemic situation, so this is currently planned as a day trip with camping at Griffis Fish Camp or at the State Park.
Camping:
Griffis Fish Camp is at 10257 Ga Highway 177, Fargo, GA 31631-4547; 912-637-5289.
For reservations at Stephen C. Foster State Park, please use this form:
https://www.reserveamerica.com/explore/stephen-c-foster-state-park/GA/530194/overview
Health: We are watching the virus pandemic situation, which may affect campsite availability as well as other things. We will update as needed.
![[Many]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-11-07--floyds-island-camping-okefenokee/many.jpg)
Map, heron, signs, gator, boats
The map is from the
WWALS Suwannee River Wilderness Trail map.
That WWALS map includes the
Okefenokee Wilderness Area Canoe Trails (OWACT).
Photos: Continue reading
Amanda M. Usher, Valdosta Daily Times, 4 September 2020, WWALS to visit Banks Lake,
LAKELAND — The WWALS Watershed Coalition works to draw attention to the South Georgia [and North Florida] rivers with its monthly paddles and cleanups.
The group sponsors the Banks Lake Full Harvest Moon paddle, 6:50 p.m., Oct. 1, at the Banks Lake Boat Ramp, 307 Ga. 122. Guests will gather at 6:30 p.m.
The event is held each time there is a full moon, John Quarterman, Suwannee Riverkeeper, said.
“The more people we can get out on our waters, the more they will realize Banks Lake is a gem and our rivers (Alapaha, Withlacoochee, Little, Suwannee and more) are fun and different every time,” he said.
At Banks Lake, Quarterman said spectators can view bats coming out of trees, an alligator and a moon rise.
Participants are asked to bring Continue reading
About 35 paddlers saw bats as the sun set over Banks Lake.
![[Bobby McKenzie, WWALS Outings Committee Chair, this expedition leader]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-06-05--banks-lake-full-moon-pictures/20200605_194927.jpg)
Bobby McKenzie, WWALS Outings Committee Chair, this expedition leader
Thanks to WWALS Outings Committee Chair and Board Member Bobby McKenzie, for organizing and leading this outing.
The moon hid behind clouds, but some of us saw a little gator as we started out. I think Helen Crowley spotted it. Continue reading
Great video by Georgia River Network asking you to help save the Okefenokee Swamp from a proposed strip mine:
Here’s the video:
Video: Save the Okefenokee; Stop the Mine!
Video by Georgia River Network, thanks to GRN E.D. Rena Peck Stricker.
Gators need water. Continue reading
U.S. Rep. Al Lawson Jr, Twitter, 2PM, 14 February 2020, @RepAlLawsonJr,
I sent a letter to the Army Corps of Engineers to express my concerns about Twin Pines Minerals, LLC’s plan to mine for titanium near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. These actions could have detrimental effects on the area’s biodiversity and natural resources.
AL LAWSON
5TH
DISTRICT,
FLORIDA
ASSISTANT
MAJORITY
WHIP
COMMITTEE ON
FINANCIAL SERVICES
COMMITTEE ON
AGRICULTURE
Congress of the United States
House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515-0905
February 13, 2020
Col. Daniel Hibner
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Savannah District
100 W. Oglethorpe Avenue
Savannah, Georgia 31401
Dear Hearing Officer:
I am writing to express my concerns about Twin Pines Minerals, LLC’s application for a clean water (CWA) permit to mine for titanium near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, Osceola National Forest, and Osceola Wildlife Management Area. I urge the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carefully consider the significant environmental, social, and economic costs that could occur if the permit is granted. It is crucial that the Corps require an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Furthermore, the Corps should reject the permit application if it appears the mine will harm the environment.
If approved, the project would destroy portions of Trail Ridge, which acts as Continue reading
Announced yesterday to press across Georgia and beyond, the titanium mine near Georgia and Florida’s Okefenokee Swamp proposed by Twin Pines Minerals of Alabama made the Georgia Water Coalition Dirty Dozen (see also PDF).
You can still file a comment with the Army Corps and GA-EPD asking them to reject the mine or at least require an Environmental Impact Statement. Convenience for miners is no excuse to risk the fishing, boating, and birding in the swamp and hunting and forestry nearby.
![[Closeup]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-11-14--gwc-dd-tpm/20191114_143439.jpg)
Closeup of TPM equipment on mine site from GA 94 westbound.
Photo: John S. Quarterman for WWALS, November 14, 2019
2019’s
Worst Offenses Against
GEORGIA’S WATER
OKEFENOKEE SWAMP, ST. MARYS AND SUWANNEE RIVERSProposed 2,400-Acre Titanium Mine Threatens Signature Landscape of Georgia
INTRODUCTION:
Twenty years ago when chemical giant DuPont proposed mining titanium dioxide ore near the Okefenokee Swamp, opposition to the plan was so strong— Continue reading
A fine full moon paddle on Banks Lake, plus Jupiter and a gator.
![[Moon, boaters, banners]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2021-04-26--banks-lake-full-pink-moon-paddle-pictures/many.jpg)
![[Moonrise]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-08-03--banks-lake-full-sturgeon-moon-pictures/117110041_10219595798977927_384675704180599638_o-moonrise.jpg)
![[Jobs]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-04-12--grn-oke-usace-tpm-video/jobs.jpg)
![[U.S. Rep. Al Lawson to USACE]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2020-02-13--al-lawson-usace-tpm/Lawson-to-EPA-letter.jpg)
![[Moon paddlers]](https://www.wwals.net/pictures/2019-07-16--banks-lake-moon/20190716_205647.jpg)