Rep. Travis Moore introduces the South Carolina Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act
CVSC thanks Representative Travis Moore (R, District 33) for introducing H.5069, the South Carolina Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act. His commitment to land and water protection across the state is admirable, and with over 55 co-sponsors, the widespread bipartisan support he has garnered for this bill is truly exceptional. Such substantial support is a perfect reminder that protection of our cherished natural resources is a bipartisan value shared by all South Carolinians.
This important piece of legislation recognizes the significance of natural resources to South Carolina’s environmental health, economic vitality, agricultural productivity, and quality of life. It establishes the protection of natural resources as a state interest, sets a statewide protected land benchmark of 7 million acres by 2050, and creates provisions to coordinate land protection projects and to require annual reporting by state resource agencies.
We are thrilled to see Representative Moore furthering Governor Henry McMaster’s 10 Million Acres initiative by codifying a benchmark to track our progress towards this goal. As South Carolina continues to experience rapid population growth and the associated impacts of widespread development, it will become increasingly important to prioritize statewide land and water protection and to buffer our agricultural and timber lands from urban sprawl. Codifying benchmarks for land and water protection will ensure that funding for conservation remains a top priority at the statehouse and that our state agencies have the resources they need to execute land and water protection projects across South Carolina.
South Carolina’s economy and way of life are inextricably linked to our natural resources. Prioritizing conservation now means guaranteeing a future for South Carolina where air and water are clean and plentiful, wildlife thrives, our economy is strong, and quality of life is unparalleled.
Please join us in thanking Representative Moore for his leadership at the statehouse and his commitment to protecting our irreplaceable natural resources in South Carolina.