September 1, 2003—In August, DuPont donated approximately 16,000 acres of land in southeastern Georgia to The Conservation Fund. The land is adjacent to the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge, and is the largest donation in the history of the DuPont Land Legacy program.
DuPont acquired the land in 1991 and 1996 with the intent to mine titanium ore from it. In light of public concerns about the project, DuPont announced in 1997 that it would defer activities related to the proposed surface mining operation and explore options for the property. DuPont established a Collaborative Process Core Group of local community officials, organizations, landowners, elected officials, and other interests. In 1999 the group recommended a “no mining” option for the land.
International Paper currently has the land’s wood fiber and recreational rights. It is amending its original agreement with DuPont to further protect the land by permanently relinquishing acquisition rights, which will prevent mining of the property in the future. International Paper will maintain a working forest on the property.
