Current Status Introducing Body:Senate Bill Number:1375 Primary Sponsor:Moore Type of Legislation:CR Subject:Edisto River Residing Body:Senate Computer Document Number:NO5/7810BDW.94 Introduced Date:19940419 Last History Body:House Last History Date:19940510 Last History Type:Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Moore Type of Legislation:Concurrent Resolution
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved ____ ______ ____________ ______________________________ ___ ____________ 1375 House 19940510 Adopted, returned to Senate with concurrence 1375 House 19940427 Committee Report: Favorable 24 1375 House 19940420 Introduced, referred to 24 Committee 1375 Senate 19940419 Introduced, adopted, sent to HouseView additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
COMMITTEE REPORT
April 27, 1994
S. 1375
S. Printed 4/27/94--H.
Read the first time April 20, 1994.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 1375), to recognize 1994 as a critical year for determining the future direction of the Edisto River Basin, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
DEWITT WILLIAMS, for Committee.
TO RECOGNIZE 1994 AS A CRITICAL YEAR FOR DETERMINING THE FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE EDISTO RIVER BASIN AND TO DECLARE 1994 AS THE "YEAR OF THE EDISTO".
Whereas, the Edisto River is the longest free flowing blackwater river in the United States, winding through twelve counties in South Carolina from Saluda County to Edisto Island; and
Whereas, the Edisto River is rich in natural heritage including critical natural communities and habitat for several endangered and threatened species; and
Whereas, the Edisto River Basin spans two million acres of forests, farms, wetlands, and rural communities that support a diversity of users including hunters, foresters, industrialists, boaters, swimmers, fishermen, and farmers. The river supports many vital services to its citizens, including drinking water, irrigation for food and fiber, and electricity; and
Whereas, the Edisto River Basin is benefiting from a nationally recognized natural wetland system which provides flood control, cost effective waste treatment, wildlife habitat, tourism opportunities, and other values to the citizens that can be managed as an asset in providing for jobs, housing, and needed economic development in the area. However, the uniqueness of the Edisto River Basin, many of its current natural resource values, and opportunities for economic enhancement of its citizens could be lost without proactive planning on the part of the local citizens; and
Whereas, the South Carolina Water Resources Commission, the South Carolina Department of Commerce, and the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism have embarked on a public policy process that will generate a common vision for the future of the Edisto River Basin founded on the collection and delivery of environmental resources information and expert opinion and analysis as decision support for the citizens, public officials, and private sector businesses in the region; and
Whereas, United States Senator Ernest F. Hollings, with the support of other delegation members, has spearheaded efforts to secure federal funds for the Edisto River Basin Project and made this effort a national pilot program as an innovative approach to natural resource management. The National Research Council Mapping Science Committee has recognized the project as a model for government partnerships in generating state-of-the-art information management system support for decision making which is a critical component of building a national spatial data infrastructure; and
Whereas, the Edisto River Basin Task Force made up of local citizens will recommend the best ways to use and protect the basin's resources while expanding its economic base. For the first time, local citizens representing a wide spectrum of interests in all twelve counties of the Edisto River Basin are now meeting to recommend priorities and decide directions for the river basin utilization over the next decade. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:
That the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina recognize 1994 as a critical year for determining the future direction of the Edisto River Basin and to declare 1994 as the "Year of the Edisto".