The Army Corps of Engineers is extending the deadline for public comments on a proposal to mine for minerals near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. GPB's Emily Jones reports the extra 30 days moves the new deadline to September 12.
Environmental groups were calling for the deadline extension.
Chip Campbell runs boat tours and rentals at the refuge and is on the board of St. Mary's Riverkeeper. He says they need more time to study the effects on water.
"There's what happens right there at the surface mine, but there's also what are we dealing with in terms of the volume pumped up from the bottom, pumped up from deeper down. That's where some of the greatest uncertainties come in."
Campbell says the mining company, Twin Pines Minerals, has promised scientific reports that could answer some of those questions.
The company is hosting two public meetings next month.
For GPB News, I'm Emily Jones in Savannah.