April
2003
Contents
Message
From the Executive Director:
* The Upstate as the next regional city
Conservation:
* Couple preserves land along highway 11
* Northern Greenville county tract preserved
* UF members donate land adjoining
Jocassee Gorges to State
* Conservation Bank Act signed into law!
Articles:
* The Upstate is being developed at the rate
of a new Haywood Mall every three days!!
* Downtown Schools: a key step toward sensible
growth
* Downtown schools in the Upstate
good news and bad news
* Can Stories Save a River?
Bringing Lawson's Fork back to life
* Main Street: Heart and soul of the Upstate
* Victory for streams in the Upstate!
Upstate Forever News:
* Events
* Awards
* Volunteers
* Staff
CONSERVATION BANK ACT SIGNED INTO LAW!
The
South Carolina Conservation Bank Act finally passed the General Assembly
and was signed into law by Governor Hodges earlier this month. The Act
will not be funded until 2004, but then it will provide, for the first
time in the history of our state, a regular and significant source of
funds to acquire either title to, or conservation easements on, important
natural and historic resources. Funding will come from a portion of the
state’s deed recording fees, which are collected when real estate
is sold in the state. It is estimated that the Bank will receive approximately
$9 million per year in funding.
A
volunteer board of conservationists, scientists and business leaders from
across the state will manage the Conservation Bank. It will make grants
or loans on a competitive basis for projects that meet specific conservation
and financial criteria. The program is 100 per cent voluntary–all
transactions will be between willing sellers and buyers. The legislation
gives no authority to zone, regulate or condemn anyone’s land.
The
bill is a huge step in the right direction toward a better balance between
development and conservation in South Carolina. Heartfelt thanks to all
of the Upstate Forever members who called and wrote their representatives.
Thank you for your support!