Conservation Common Agenda Priorities

Cary D. Chamblee, Lobbyist
Among the many strengths of the Conservation Community, of which the Sierra Club is a major part, is our common sense of the urgency and dedication to protect and improve our state’s environment and our cohesive efforts to make things happen. Each year, our organizations, 24 at last count, get together to decide on our common goals for the next legislative session. The following is a list of our over-arching goals for next session. Legislation will be developed for each priority and legislative sponsors will be sought to sponsor specific bills that we will work to get passed. This year on November 11-12, at Camp St. Christopher, near Charleston, Sierra Club members, and representatives of most of the organizations in our coalition will gather for 2 days to discuss our ideas and a strategy to get them put into action. All Sierrans are invited to join in this event.

Energy Independence and Efficiency (encourage energy conservation)

South Carolinians use the fourth largest amount of electricity per capita in the United States. We also have the fourth highest electricity bills in the nation. This energy inefficiency weakens the economy and security of our state - we spend over a billion dollars annually to import energy from distant states and hostile nations. The conservation community is seeking a package of state incentives to encourage investment in measures that save electricity and produce home-grown renewable energy.

Increased Conservation Bank Funding (twice last year’s funding)

For the last three years, the Conservation Bank has been the most important source of funding for land conservation in South Carolina, protecting 107,551 acres of natural and historic properties across the state at an average cost of $560/acre. Through voluntary easements and acquisitions, vulnerable natural and historic lands, family farms, wetlands, battlefields, urban greenways, river corridors and parks have been protected. The Bank is funded with a small percentage of the documentary stamp tax, which ranges between $ 15 – 20 million. We are seeking double that amount in 2008.

he rapid rate of development far exceeds the amount of land conserved, while the number of grant requests to the Conservation Bank far exceeds the funds available. We are in a race to save our state’s last great places (nearly 200 acres of land are developed daily), which is why the conservation community urges the General Assembly to double funding for the Bank this year.

Taxpayer Protection Act (municipal annexation law reform)

Protecting Community Rights (supporting the 2003 compromise on regulatory takings)

In 2003 The Property Rights Task Force crafted reasonable, compromise legislation (Act 39) to balance the rights of individual property owners and local communities’ right to plan for growth. Act 39 passed with the support of development interests, property rights advocates, and conservationists. However, since then, development interests have continued to push for passage of legislation that would undermine this compromise law.

The Eminent Domain Study Committee, which has been assigned the task of studying regulatory takings, is due to make its recommendations to the General Assembly in January. The conservation community continues to support Act 39 and we oppose any legislation that would undermine the recommendations of the Task Force. South Carolina’s communities’ ability to protect their natural and historically significant properties should not be taken away.

Stop Swimming in Sewage (public notice of polluted water)

The conservation community calls for legislation to protect public health from polluted waters. Long overdue is the required posting of rivers, lakes, and estuaries to alert the public of water that is unsafe for swimming or fishing. The public needs to be better informed about the many causes of polluted runoff - sprawling development, surface paving, animal waste and fertilizers – and the fact that most of the mercury in our waters comes from coal-fired power plant air emissions.

Citizens have a right to know when fecal coliform pollution or mercury contaminated fish consumption threatens public health. Sewage spills also need to be made public within 24 hours.

Unprotected Waters (restoring freshwater wetlands protection)

The protection of non-jurisdictional wetlands has been called into question by recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions. South Carolina has already lost over 33% of its wetlands and now, as a result of these Court decisions, the federal government has withdrawn clear permitting protection for freshwater wetlands – valuable wetlands such as Carolina Bays that are not directly adjacent to a lake or river. Therefore, it is South Carolina’s responsibility to clarify the confusing situation that currently exists. Wetlands play a critical role in providing habitat, alleviating floodwaters, and improving water quality, so it is imperative that these functions be maintained. In 2005 the Isolated Wetlands Protection Act was supported by development, farming, utility, and conservation interests. The conservation community continues to support legislation that will protect freshwater wetlands.

Details about the Conservation Common Agenda may be viewed at www.makeconservationcount.org or www.conservationvotersofsc.org