Proposed Legislation Could Protect the State as Biodiversity Hotspot

Matthew D’Onofrio and Scot Quaranda /Dogwood Alliance

South Carolina boasts a natural paradise, complete with awe-inspiring mountains, captivating wetlands, and lush coastal forests. The state is a national treasure. However, this precious ecosystem is at risk due to environmental degradation and resource extraction, making it crucial to safeguard what remains for the benefit of communities statewide.

New legislation has been proposed that is aimed at improving conservation efforts. The South Carolina Conservation Enhancement Act (S.280/H.3786) could dedicate more than $20 million a year for land and water protection, as well as create public green spaces and historic sites for rural communities.

The bill — introduced by George Campsen (R-43) and Tom Davis (R-46) in the Senate and Phillip Lowe (R-60) and Murrell Smith (R-67) in the House — would require a portion of the deed recording fee to be directed towards the South Carolina Conservation Bank Fund. With these funds, the Bank would put forth grants and loans for natural resources, wetlands, and historical conservation.

In addition to this bill, there is also the Justice Forty Resolution (H.3198) — introduced by Rep. Gilda Cobb-Hunter (D-95). The resolution would create an oversight committee to study opportunities for conservation and resiliency funding from the federal government to the state that address the issue of environmental justice in rural and marginalized communities. 

Dogwood Alliance supports the South Carolina Enhancement Act and Justice Forty Resolution. Together, they would ensure that federal money will be funneled down to the state for use in much needed land conservation priorities. Additionally, the board of directors will be opened up to more fresh faces and perspectives to ensure decision making around conservation priorities meets the needs of all South Carolinians. This is a really good start for the changes that need to be made to ensure that a state that is rich in biodiversity and invaluable natural capital is protected and not sold off piece by piece to extractive industries.

We partner with communities across the state that are working hard to protect and preserve wetland forests as a way to become more sustainable, climate resilient, and to preserve their natural and cultural heritage. The Pee Dee Tribe in Marlboro County has protected wetlands on its tribal land and built a cultural and environmental education center. The tribe is building resiliency as well as protecting the wetlands they call home in the process. They have plans to continue to expand. And the rural community of Brittons Neck, outside of Florence, just recently purchased 7 acres of land to help increase food security and as a buffer against flooding. These are just two examples of the kind of work that could be supported.

The pristine, diverse forests of South Carolina enhance the state by providing for basic survival needs, mitigating severe weather effects, supplying oxygen, and filtering our air and water. They provide recreation, habitat for critical wildlife, subsistence for hunting and fishing, natural resources, and multiple financial benefits for the state.

These amazing forests that are so vital for our communities are often in the crosshairs of extractive industries. For example, the wood pellet industry is constantly looking to expand in the state which would result in forest destruction and the loss of these vital resources and harm all South Carolinians. Only 35 miles from Anderson itself, in Greenwood, there already exists an Enviva Pellets plant.

On top of that, the production and consumption of this type of biomass fuel is poorly regulated and emits large amounts of particulate matter, carbon, volatile organic compounds, and toxins into the air and water. In fact, burning wood pellets releases more carbon into the atmosphere than coal. Biomass as a whole threatens the health of communities downwind and downstream from the facilities.

In addition to increasing funding for the conservation of our environmental treasures, the state needs strong regulations to stop these cut and run predatory industries. We need to prioritize the protection of our diverse forests and the health of people and communities. One small step at a time, South Carolina can ensure a vibrant and healthy future for all of its residents.

For more than 25 years, Dogwood Alliance has fought threats to our forests and frontline communities. The group promotes forest protection as the best solution to climate change, partnering with communities to develop economic solutions that work with and for forests.