WATER
After four years of hard work, the conservation community pushed through a water management plan for our state. S. 452 is the first step toward maintaining seasonal flows in our rivers that protect fish, wildlife, and public recreation. But this bill is just the beginning: Conservation Voters will monitor the bill’s enforcement and will continue fighting for improved water quality and conservation measures.
- Read more about the passage of the Fair Share water bill.
- Read the CVSC press release about passage of this major priority.
- Watch a video about why Water Matters in South Carolina.
LAND
Since 2004 the Conservation Bank has protected over 150,000 acres of our state’s most cherished farms, forests, rivers and marshes. Despite its great success, the Bank’s budget was nearly zeroed out in 2009 and 2010. Valiant efforts by conservationists and legislators restored enough money to keep the agency alive, but until we eliminate the “death clause” that kills funding in tight budget years, the Conservation Bank will always be an endangered species.
- Read more about the Subcommittee vote.
- View a map of Conservation Bank grants.
- Watch a video about the significance of the Conservation Bank.
WASTE
Almost 30 percent of the trash dumped in South Carolina comes from other states. Fortunately, citizen volunteers took their fight against increased mega-dump landfills to Columbia. The result? DHEC’s stakeholder committee quickened its reform of solid waste regulations and moved to reduce capacity from 42 million tons to 10.8 million tons annually – four months ahead of schedule.
- Read more about the Subcommittee vote.
- Read news coverage on the grassroots fight against mega-dumps.
- View the Citizens of Marlboro County photo gallery.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS:
- South Carolina is one of the least energy efficient states in the country and lacks a comprehensive energy plan that works to save ratepayer dollars by investing in cheaper, cleaner alternatives.
- Thousands of miles of rivers and lakes in our state are polluted and our natural resource agencies lack the staff and funding to protect them.
- Our beautiful beaches are threatened by offshore drilling. In the wake of the Gulf disaster, are we willing to risk our coast for a few days worth of oil and gas?
- Reforms are needed at the Department of Health & Environmental Control (DHEC) to ensure greater accountability and transparency.
*Read about conservation bills that passed on a voice vote (with no recorded vote) in the House.
*Check out the 2010 and 2009 Hotlist Legislative Wrap Up.
