A virtual meeting has been scheduled for Dec. 9, from 6 - 8 p.m., for the public to learn more about the minor proposed expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Registration for the virtual meeting is required. Additional, information regarding the meeting and how to register is provided below. In addition, the public comment period has been extended to Dec. 13.
The Southeast Region of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering a proposal that would expand the boundary of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, adding approximately 22,000 acres adjacent to the existing refuge. The Service is seeking public input on the proposal.
If adopted, the proposed minor boundary expansion would enable the Service to work with willing landowners to explore voluntary conservation actions, including potential acquisition, that would further protect the refuge’s globally significant freshwater wetland system and wildlife habitat.
The proposed expansion includes lands currently held by Twin Pines Minerals, LLC as well as a one-mile fuel reduction zone adjacent to the refuge. Conservation actions on the lands within the proposed boundary expansion would strengthen protection of the hydrological integrity of the swamp, help provide habitat for the gopher tortoise, mitigate impacts of wildfires and more severe and longer-lasting droughts and provide opportunities for longleaf pine restoration to benefit the red-cockaded woodpecker. The creation of a one-mile fuel reduction zone adjacent to the refuge is supported by state and federal partners.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge is the headwaters of the Suwannee and St. Mary's rivers. The refuge provides habitat for threatened and endangered species. It is world renowned for its amphibian populations, which are bio-indicators tors of global health. The refuge has 353,981 acres of National Wilderness Area within the refuge boundaries. Additionally, it is a Wetland of International Importance (RAMSAR Convention – 1971) due to the Okefenokee Swamp's global significance, receiving over 400,000 annual visits, with 10% from international guests from over 46 different countries.
A virtual meeting has been scheduled for Dec. 9, from 6 - 8 p.m., for the public to learn more about the minor proposed expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Registration for the virtual meeting is required. Information regarding how to register is provided below. In addition, the public comment period has been extended to Dec. 13. Input may now be submitted until Dec. 13, 2024 via email to Okefenokee@fws.gov. Additionally, a public meeting was held Nov. 12, 2024, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. at the Charlton County Annex Auditorium, 68 Kingsland Drive, Folkston, Georgia.
For more information on the possible expansion, including frequently asked questions, a map, and the effort to gather public interest, go to https://www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee.
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Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge Virtual Public Meeting
December 9, 2024
6:00 – 8:00 PM (ET)
Registration Information
Information on Attending the Virtual Public Meeting
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has scheduled a virtual public meeting on December 9, 2024, from 6:00-8:00 p.m., Eastern Time(ET), giving the public an opportunity to learn more about the proposed minor expansion of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.
The Service will hold the virtual public meeting via the Zoom platform so participants can attend remotely. During the virtual public meeting, attendees can join by computer or phone to learn about the proposed expansion.
The virtual public meeting will start with a brief presentation by the Service staff followed by an opportunity for attendees to ask questions on the proposed expansion. A verbal public comment session will follow to accept comments on the proposed minor expansion. Commenters may have an allotted time to provide comments, and the order of commenters will be based on registration. In addition, public comments can be submitted at Okefenokee@fws.gov.
We recommend that members of the public log into the Zoom platform 5 minutes prior to the beginning of the presentation to ensure that they can connect. If using the phone-only option, participants will be able to listen to the virtual public meeting, but they will not view the presentation. Instructions will be given regarding how participants will be able to provide their comments for the public meeting.
*For security purposes, registration is required. To listen and view the meeting via Zoom, listen to the meeting by telephone, or provide verbal public comment during the meeting by Zoom or telephone, you must register.
*Interested members of the public not familiar with the Zoom platform should view the Zoom video tutorials (https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us/articles/206618765-Zoom-video-tutorials) prior to the public meeting.
*If you have technical difficulties registering for the meeting or joining the meeting on Dec. 9, please email megan.stone@aecom.com.
Instructions for Attending the Okefenokee NWR Virtual Public Meeting:
For Participants Joining by Zoom Web Platform or Zoom App:
1. Please pre-register using the link provided below.
https://empsi.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_sJwkU7wZRKW_WkU0QlELZg
*If you plan on providing a comment during the virtual public meeting, please indicate that when registering.
2. After registration, participants will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
3. On the day of the meeting, please join using the information contained in your confirmation email.
For Participants Joining by Phone:
1. Register for the meeting (see above). On the day of the meeting, call in using one of the toll-free phone numbers listed below. You will be prompted to enter your Webinar ID. Enter your Webinar ID from your confirmation email and press the # key.
2. You will then be prompted: “Enter your Participant ID followed by #. Otherwise just press #.” Phone-only participants will not receive an individualized Participant ID, so just press the # key.
3. You will then be prompted: “Enter your Password followed by #. Otherwise just press #.” Enter the Passcode from your confirmation email and press the # key.
4. You will be directly joined to the meeting. If the meeting has not started, you will be on hold until the meeting begins.
Call-in Numbers(for higher quality, dial a number based on your current location):
- +1 253 205 0468 US
- +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
- +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)
- +1 669 444 9171 US
- +1 719 359 4580 US
- +1 720 707 2699 US (Denver)
- +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
- +1 360 209 5623 US
- +1 386 347 5053 US
- +1 507 473 4847 US
- +1 564 217 2000 US
- +1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
- +1 646 931 3860 US
- +1 689 278 1000 US
- +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)
- +1 305 224 1968 US
- +1 309 205 3325 US
- International numbers available: Zoom International Dial-in Numbers - Zoom
Reasonable Accommodations
The Service is committed to providing access to the virtual public meeting for all participants. Closed captioning will be available during the public meeting. Participants will also have access to live audio during the public meeting via their telephone or computer speakers.
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Editor's note: The date of the public meeting of Nov. 12, was changed from the originally published date of Oct. 29.
Editor's note: Changes made to the original release include the extension of the public comment period to Dec. 9 and the plan for a virtual meeting.
Editor's note: Changes made to the original release include information on the virtual public meeting, including registration information, and the extension of the public comment period to Dec. 13.
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