Message From the Executive Director:
- Did you hear the Governor?!
Articles:
- Sprawl Report
- Dan Burden Rocks the Upstate!
- The ReGenesis Project
- The Saluda-Reedy Watershed Project Receives 1.5 Million!
Upstate Conservation:
- First Easement in Union County
- Chauga Watershed Project
- "The Cotton Patch"
- Green Space Donated to Greenville
Upstate Forever News:
Message From the Executive Director
DID
YOU HEAR THE GOVERNOR?!
I
joined thousands of South Carolinians in listening to our new Governor’s
first “State of the State” address on January 22. At the beginning
he gave us a preview of what he would be talking about: the budget crisis
and restructuring state government were expected, but the last topic–quality
of life–was a real surprise.
I waited anxiously for Governor Sanford to reach that topic. Not that the other topics aren’t immensely important, but trying to protect and improve quality of life is what we do everyday at Upstate Forever. I especially wanted to hear what he had to say about this.
He spent no more than five minutes on the topic but his message was powerful and exciting. Governor Sanford reminded all of us of what a wonderful state we live in–few places in the world rival South Carolina’s natural beauty. Keeping it that way is important not only for ecological reasons but also because it contributes mightily to tourism, now our state’s number one industry.
The Governor expressed his strong support for the South Carolina Conservation Bank Act, which passed the General Assembly last year and will be funded next year. I can’t help but think that the Governor’s intent was to put a quick end to the talk about delaying funding or even repealing the law. The implicit message was: “Don’t you dare.”
The Governor next turned his attention to the absurd state regulation that requires all new schools to be built on large tracts of land. The rule undermines efforts to establish neighborhood schools and also causes sprawl. Yes, he used the “S-word”–the first Governor in the history of South Carolina to use that word in the State of the State! We have come a long way!
And there was more to come. Before his speech, Governor Sanford appointed a “Quality of Life Task Force” to consider these important issues and make recommendations on what needs to be done. It is a broad-based group of people from around the state, with almost every viewpoint represented. The task force delivered its report to the Governor in February. It provides an inspiring blueprint on how our state can accommodate the dramatic growth that is taking place, while protecting and improving the environment and quality of life for everyone. Here are just a few of the recommendations:
- Increase funding for the Conservation Bank Act
- Require that major projects be consistent with local land use plans
- Designate “priority investment areas” for future growth
- Give precedence to maintaining existing highways over building new ones.
It is a terrific action plan for South Carolina! The entire report is posted on our website. I hope that Governor Sanford embraces the report and then provides the leadership needed to make the recommendations a reality. Based on his State of the State, there is every reason to believe he will do so.