25 LC 44 3004
House Bill 562
By: Representatives Taylor of the 173
rd
, Stephens of the 164
th
, Sainz of the 180
th
, Greene of
the 154
th
, Buckner of the 137
th
, 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
1
Annotated, relating to surface mining, so as to provide for a five-year moratorium on the2
acceptance of applications for new permits and the acceptance of requests to modify existing3
permits by the Environmental Protection Division of the Department of Natural Resources4
to expand the area of land affected by surface mining operations on Trail Ridge; to provide5
a definition; to provide exemptions; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;6
and for other purposes.7
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:8
SECTION 1.9
Part 3 of Article 2 of Chapter 4 of Title 12 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated,10
relating to surface mining, is amended by adding a new Code section to read as follows:11
"12-4-85.
12
(a) As used in this Code section, the term 'Trail Ridge' means the elevated, geological13
feature bounded on the west by the Okefenokee Swamp and its watershed; on the east by14
an elevation of 100 feet above mean sea level; on the south by the triple divide of the15
Soldiers Camp Island, Boone Creek, and Barbar Branch watersheds; and on the north by16
H. B. 562
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the triple divide of the Upper Buffalo Creek, Big Creek, and Okefenokee Swamp17
watersheds.18
(b) Beginning on July 1, 2025, and continuing through June 30, 2030, the division shall19
not accept any applications for new permits, nor shall the division accept any requests to20
modify any existing permits for any surface mining operations on Trail Ridge that seek to21
expand the area of affected land.22
(c) This Code section shall not prohibit the acceptance or denial of any applications for23
new permits or requests to modify any existing permits for any surface mining operations24
on Trail Ridge submitted to and deemed complete by the division on or before June 30,25
2025."26
SECTION 2.27
All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.28
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