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SC Camo Coalition Current State Legislation Affecting the Out-of-Doors Here is an update on several pieces of legislation of importance to hunters and anglers. Each bill has a summary and a recommendation on supporting or opposing. Below each description are the names and email links of the committee members reviewing each bill. The following is a selection of the most important bills currently under consideration by the SC Legislature: Protect SC Conservation Bank Funding – Strongly Support Agriculture and Natural Resources H.3004 Transfer of DNR Wildlife Enforcement Officers to the SC Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol) - Rep. Dan Cooper R-Anderson (Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee). Strongly Oppose Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Committee H.3121 Turtle Export Bill Rep. James Smith Passed by the House and has been referred to the Senate Fish, Game and Forestry Committee Support The harvest of freshwater turtles in South Carolina is currently unregulated. Freshwater turtles are the only animals harvested for market with no regulatory control. H.3121 limits the export of freshwater turtles to ten per day, and halts the harvest of tens of thousands of our turtles and their shipment as food products to Asia. The bill does not affect the right to possess turtles for pets or food. It also provides an opportunity for aquaculture permits to be issued by DNR. Fish, Game and Forestry H.3271 Bill to allow deer baiting in the Piedmont Rep. Jeff Duncan, R-Laurens (Assigned to the Wildlife Subcommittee of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee) This bill proposes to allow baiting of deer in the Piedmont. S.177, Senator Massey - Allows Baiting for Deer in the Piedmont This bill is the same as H3271 above. Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs Agriculture, Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs H.3541 Bear Hunting Amendments Referred to House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. This bill by Representative David Hiott of Pickens amends bear hunting laws statewide and allows DNR to establish a bear hunting season outside of Game Zone 1. The SC Camo Coalition will monitor important natural resource and fish and wildlife legislation and will “weigh-in” when warranted to protect resources and our outdoor heritage. We also will advocate for an increased appreciation for the vital role farming, forestry, tourism and outdoor pursuits play in the economy of the Palmetto State.
Partners Working to Conserve Fish and Wildlife
Thank you to all Camo Coalition Members who emailed legislators on behalf of the SC Conservation Bank in response to the Coalition’s latest email alert. It was quite a success. One hundred and seven Camo Coalition members sent a total of 2600 email messages to the SC House Ways and Means Committee members. This is very impressive. The Bank remains unfunded, but there are still several opportunities to show support.
The SC Conservation Bank provides grants to protect forests, farms, natural and historic land. Since its inception, the Bank has spent $80 million to protect over 152,720 acres of land at an average cost of $534 per acre. Since funding for the Conservation Bank comes from a percentage of deed recording fees, funding levels fluctuate with the real estate economy. Unfortunately, the current economic crisis and state budget cuts has virtually eliminated funding for the Conservation Bank. The Conservation Bank has partnered in funding the purchase of 58,332 acres of land that is permanently dedicated to Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program for the benefit of sportsmen and wildlife. Full formula funding for the SC Conservation Bank in the SC Budget Bill is needed and recommended.
S.275 - Fair Share Water Bill, Sen. Wes Hayes (Referred to Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee) Strongly Support
South Carolina has no oversight of major withdrawals from our rivers and streams, while recurrent droughts, conflicts with neighboring states over shared water supplies, and population growth make it painfully obvious that water is a limited, precious resource. The Camo Coalition is pushing a bill that balances public and private needs; requires a permit from DHEC for all surface water withdrawals of three million gallons or more a month; maintains seasonal flows to protect the biological, chemical, and physical integrity of our surface waters; and protects existing surface water users by grandfathering their withdrawals at current levels. Industrial users and electric utilities are pushing for a measure that will allocate eighty percent of our surface water to their use and leave only twenty percent for fish, wildlife and boating. This will be a big fight this year.
This bill, which has several prominent co-sponsors, proposes to move the DNR Wildlife Officers and the entire Law Enforcement budget to the SC Department of Public Safety (Highway Patrol). This move would separate this excellent group of dedicated conservation law enforcement officers from our traditional sportsmen’s agency and our DNR Board and place it in an agency that is run by a secretary appointed by the Governor. The DNR Board, Director and the Leadership of the Wildlife Law Enforcement Division at DNR are dedicated to the conservation of wildlife in our state and have long history of competence and fairness. Furthermore, hunters and fisherman pay for the services provided by DNR law enforcement through licenses and fines. We fear that the wildlife conservation mission will be eroded and funding will be diverted to the Highway Patrol which is also constantly in need of resources. Overall, we along with other sportsmen’s organization view this potentially devastating action.
H.3483 (Support as amended) By Representative White, Mike Pitts, Toole and Willis
is a Joint Resolution to propose an amendment to the state constitution to protect citizen rights to hunt and fish. The SC Camo Coalition supports this resolution only if it is amended to allow the state the authority to manage its wildlife by amending its laws on methods of take and allowable species. These amendments are necessary to allow the state to adjust its management based on future needs and conditions.
This legislation, committee members and much more can be found at the state legislative website: http://www.scstatehouse.gov
South Carolina Camo Coalition
Legislative Priorities for 2009
Overview
Highest Priorities:
1. Protection of Rivers and Streams- Permit water withdrawals of more than 3 million gallons of water per month. Permits must protect the physical, chemical and biological integrity of rivers and streams.
2. Protect dwindling wildlife habitats and hunting opportunities. Support funding of the SC Conservation Bank.
3. Support funding for the SC Department of Natural Resources, SC Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism and the SC Commission of Forestry. Budgets of these agencies have been reduced by a greater percentage than other state agencies and their ability to manage our state’s natural resources is greatly diminished. The Camo Coalition strongly supports funding for necessary Natural Resource Management.
4. Support the establishment of wildlife conservation and outdoor education courses in the public school system.
Other Priorities:
5. If a Constitutional Right to Hunt and Fish bill is introduced, the Camo Coalition will support it only if it includes provisions providing the State the opportunity to amend legislation to manage species and methods of take as needed for sound wildlife management.
6. Prescribed Fire. The Camo Coalition supports the use of prescribed fire and supports legislation to protect and enhance this important management tool.
7. Protect Freshwater Turtles – Limit export of freshwater turtles.
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