Georgia General Assembly · Full text

HB 562: Natural Resources, Department of; five-year moratorium on acceptance of applications for new or requests to modify existing permits; provisions

Introduced version, the latest LegiScan holds · Last action February 24, 2025 · Introduced

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House Bill 562

By: Representatives Taylor of the 173rd, Stephens of the 164th, Sainz of the 180th, Greene of the 154th, Buckner of the 137th, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

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.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to surface mining, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:

"12-4-85.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'Trail Ridge' means the elevated, geological feature bounded on the west by the Okefenokee Swamp and its watershed; on the east by an elevation of 100 feet above mean sea level; on the south by the triple divide of the Soldiers Camp Island, Boone Creek, and Barbar Branch watersheds; and on the north by the triple divide of the Upper Buffalo Creek, Big Creek, and Okefenokee Swamp watersheds.

(b) Beginning on July 1, 2025, and continuing through June 30, 2030, the division shall not accept any applications for new permits, nor shall the division accept any requests to modify any existing permits for any surface mining operations on Trail Ridge that seek to expand the area of affected land.

(c) This Code section shall not prohibit the acceptance or denial of any applications for new permits or requests to modify any existing permits for any surface mining operations on Trail Ridge submitted to and deemed complete by the division on or before June 30, 2025."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.