Current Status Introducing Body:House Bill Number:3314 Primary Sponsor:Harvin Committee Number:07 Type of Legislation:CR Subject:Forestry, right to practice Residing Body:Senate Current Committee:Fish, Game & Forestry Computer Document Number:BBM/9070JM.93 Introduced Date:19930202 Last History Body:Senate Last History Date:19930211 Last History Type:Introduced, referred to Committee Scope of Legislation:Statewide All Sponsors:Harvin Type of Legislation:Concurrent Resolution
Bill Body Date Action Description CMN Leg Involved
____ ______ ____________ ______________________________ ___ ____________
3314 Senate 19930211 Introduced, referred to 07
Committee
3314 House 19930210 Adopted, sent to Senate
3314 House 19930209 Committee Report: Favorable 24
3314 House 19930202 Introduced, referred to 24
Committee
View additional legislative information at the LPITS web site.
COMMITTEE REPORT
February 9, 1993
H. 3314
S. Printed 2/9/93--H.
Read the first time February 2, 1993.
To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 3314), memorializing Congress to allow forest landowners who suffered tremendous loss as the result of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, etc., respectfully
That they have duly and carefully considered the same, and recommend that the same do pass:
DEWITT WILLIAMS, for Committee.
MEMORIALIZING CONGRESS TO ALLOW FOREST LANDOWNERS WHO SUFFERED TREMENDOUS LOSS AS THE RESULT OF HURRICANE HUGO IN 1989 THE RIGHT TO PRACTICE FORESTRY WITHOUT UNDUE RESTRICTIONS FROM THE ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT, WETLANDS STATUTES, AND OTHER LAWS AND TO PROVIDE, OR TO CONTINUE, CERTAIN OTHER URGENT RELIEF.
Whereas, the woodlands of Clarendon County, South Carolina were more than fifty percent devastated by Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and occupy fifty-three percent of the land area contributing to the economic stability of that county; and
Whereas, the American public uses a tremendous amount of products from our country's "renewable" forests -- i.e., lumber, pulp, and paper products, and it requires a minimum of twenty to sixty years to grow trees for these future uses; and
Whereas, a new national philosophy is needed to support the long-term period required to grow America's needs to avoid future shortages, and less restrictive laws, economic relief, and adequate incentive are needed in the form of capital gains tax laws restored for timber growing; and
Whereas, it is necessary that the Hugo-damaged woodland areas of South Carolina receive continued federal seventy-five percent cost-share funding for reforesting, where needed; and
Whereas, the right to practice forestry without undue restrictions from the Endangered Species Act, wetlands statutes, and other laws unduly restricting land use is imperative, including the self-policing of forestry practices under voluntary Best Management Practices (BMP's); and
Whereas, support for the wise use and conservation of our natural resources for the benefit of the United States, such as efficient timber production, wildlife, soil, and water protection, and preservation of aesthetic values, should be encouraged and maintained, but, at the same time, there must be reason in resource laws, including a revision of the Endangered Species Act and a revision of wetlands laws or interpretations to include the original intent of Congress, i.e., swamps, bogs, and marshes and not low coastal plains areas that are traditional timber-growing areas;
Whereas, the relief recommended to Congress by this resolution is entirely feasible and practical and is of the greatest urgency. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:
That the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina, by this resolution, memorializes Congress to allow forest landowners who suffered tremendous loss as the result of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 the right to practice forestry without undue restrictions from the Endangered Species Act, wetlands statutes, and other laws and to provide, or to continue, certain other urgent relief.
Be it further resolved that copies of this resolution be forwarded to all eight members of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation at Washington, D.C.