Two House bills, HB 561 and HB 562, are being considered by a state House subcommittee to protect the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge from future mining projects encroaching on North America's largest blackwater swamp.

The Okefenokee was named a National Wildlife Refuge in 1937, and provides habitat for many threatened and endangered species, such as red-cockaded woodpeckers, wood storks, and indigo snakes.

Supporters of ban on mining in the Okefenokee say the largest blackwater wetland in North America needs protection, opponents say area needs jobs.

Lawmakers in Georgia House again take up legislation intended to protect the Okefenokee from future strip mining efforts