2019 Legislative Summary from The Congaree Riverkeeper
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2019 Legislative Summary
Submitted by Congaree Riverkeeper on Fri, 05/24/2019 - 12:51
The South Carolina Legislature has wrapped up the 2019 session (well, almost), and it was a pretty great year for conservation. Here's how Congaree Riverkeeper's top issues played out, as well as a few other conservation highlights.
What we stopped:
The Plastic Bag Ban Bans - The conservation community was successful in stopping S.394, a bill that would have prevented local governments from enacting bans on single use containers like plastic bags, and would have undone any existing bans that have already been passed. The bill passed out of the Senate Labor, Commerce and Industry Committee but is currently stalled on the Senate floor by Sens. Johnson, Senn & McElveen. We're only in the first year of a two-year legislative session though, so we will likely be fighting this bill again in January.
In addition to stopping S.394, we were also able to stop an attempted budget proviso that would have enacted a one-year moratorium on local bans. The proviso was defeated by a 27-15 vote on the Senate floor, sending a strong message about where Senators stand on this issue.
Our partners at the Coastal Conservation League and Charleston Waterkeeper were instrumental in these efforts to protect the ability of local governments to fight plastic pollution.
Read more in this article from the Post & Courier.
Weakening Dam Safety - We were able to stop S.107, a reckless bill that would have exempted nearly two thirds of South Carolina's regulated dams from safety regulations. The bill passed out of the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee but is currently being blocked on the Senate floor by Sen. Harpootlian. Thanks to our partners at CVSC and American Rivers for work on this important issue. This bill may come up again next year, and we stand ready to fight any attempt to weaken our dam safety laws.
Read more in this article from The State Newspaper.
Important Budget Wins:
State Water Plan Funding - Despite efforts by the South Carolina Farm Bureau opposing it, the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year includes $1.35 million for SCDNR to begin developing a new State Water Plan. The budget also includes a proviso that $400,000 of that money goes to developing a plan for the Edisto River Basin. While the $1.35M is significantly less than the $10M that SCDNR requested (even less that the $2.5M the governor requested), it will allow us to get to work and start the process.
New USGS Stream Gages and Groundwater Monitoring Wells - In order to develop and implement the State Water Plan we need reliable data about our water resources. The budget includes funding for new stream gages and groundwater monitoring wells that SCDNR has long sought.
Saluda River Greenway Funding - The budget also includes $1.5 million in Parks, Recreation and Tourism funding to extend the Saluda River Greenway in Lexington County.
Continued Water Quality Monitoring & Dam Safety Inspection Funding - The budget appropriately continues funding for ambient surface water monitoring and dam safety inspections under DHEC which we have advocated for in years past.
Other Conservation Wins:
The conservation community had a handful of other important wins this year, including:
Passing the Energy Freedom Act so South Carolina's solar industry can continue to grow
A budget proviso enacting a one-year moratorium on the onshore infrastructure necessary to receive and refine the oil from offshore drilling
Thanks to the SC Conservation Coalition and all of our partner organizations who worked on these important issues. Most importantly though, thanks to everyone who contacted their elected officials, showed up at the State House, and made their voices heard. This is how democracy works!
