Public Input Sought On Proposed Okefenokee Refuge Expansion

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 Service would only acquire land from property owners who are interested and willing to sell their property. A National Wildlife Refuge “Minor Expansion” is an action that expands refuge boundaries by up to 15%, allowing for manageable changes to a national wildlife refuge. Minor Expansions can involve adding new areas of land adjacent to the existing refuge boundary, improving habitats or enhancing visitor facilities, all aimed at better protecting wildlife and their environments. 

This proposed expansion for the Okefenokee 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. A fuel reduction zone will help protect people and property during wildfire season by lessening the chances of a wildfire escaping the refuge boundary. It includes areas where vegetation and other materials that can catch fire (like downed limbs, dead trees, dry leaves, grasses or other dry flammable plants) are managed to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The goal is to create a safe area around homes, communities and other habitats that make it harder for fires to spread.

Aerial view of the 2017 West Mims fire that burned more than 140,000 acres. It started April 6, 2017 with a lightning strike about 2 1/2 northeast of the Eddy Fire Tower in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge.

Located with the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge are the headwaters of the Suwannee River and St. Mary’s River. 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 more than 400,000 annual visits, with 10% from international guests from over 46 different countries.  

For more information on the possible expansion, including the effort to gather public interest, go to https://www.fws.gov/refuge/okefenokee and also view the map at the lead of this article