Jon Ossoff Questions Interior Secretary Doug Burgum on Georgia Water Safety Office and National Parks

Oki Finoi National Wildlife Refuge

• 🏞️ Senator Ossoff highlighted the Oki Finoi National Wildlife Refuge in Georgia, a biodiverse area and the largest blackwater swamp in North America.
• 🌍 He sought continued support for its designation as a UNESCO World Heritage site, noting bipartisan support.
• 🤝 Secretary Burgum expressed interest in learning more about the designation process and its implications, including budget impacts.
• 🔒 Ossoff secured an unequivocal guarantee from Burgum that no part of the Oki Finoi National Wildlife Refuge would be sold.

US Geological Survey Water Science Center

• 💧 Ossoff questioned Secretary Burgum about an apparent effort to close the US Geological Survey Office in Norcross, Georgia, which monitors water quality.
• ✉️ He noted a letter sent on April 10th regarding this issue and expressed concern over the lack of a timely response.
• 🧑‍💻 Burgum cited being short-staffed and awaiting Senate-confirmed leaders as reasons for delayed responses, promising improved operations as leadership is onboarded.
• 🚫 Ossoff pressed for confirmation that plans to close the Norcross office, which tests water quality for metro Atlanta, have been abandoned.
• 🤔 Burgum stated he was not familiar with the specific closure but acknowledged a review of real estate holdings due to a largely remote workforce, promising to take the request under consultation.

Georgia National Park Initiative

• 🌳 Ossoff also raised the Okmogi National Park and Preserve Initiative, Georgia's first national park, led by a bipartisan group.
• ✅ He inquired about continued departmental support for this initiative, which has local backing.
• 🤝 Burgum agreed to engage and review the proposal.

Engagement and Future Steps

• 🗣️ Ossoff requested more intense engagement on Georgia's concerns and looked forward to welcoming the Secretary to the state.