Local Conservation Banks

Note: This information is adapted from an article by Brad Wyche in the November 2005 Upstate Advocate.

The South Carolina Conservation Bank is one of the most important conservation programs ever established in our state. For several years, Upstate Forever worked with business leaders, elected officials, environmental groups, agency directors and concerned citizens throughout the state in advocating for the program. The legislature finally approved it in 2002, and the funding began two years later.

It should come as no surprise that the Conservation Bank has become a crucial resource in the effort to secure our South Carolina landscapes and protect our quality of life. In its first four rounds of funding (2004-2007), the Conservation Bank approved 106 applications, protecting over 134,000 acres of significant lands and resources across South Carolina at a cost of $527 per acre (much less than the market rate for land!). These lands include forestlands, wetlands, urban parks, farm lands, and historical lands — the places that make our state special.

But it would be a serious mistake to assume that the South Carolina Conservation Bank can by itself meet the conservation needs of our state. South Carolina is one of the smallest states in the country (40th in size), yet only nine states have more land developed each year. This single, staggering fact illustrates the immense challenge that faces us.

The Conservation Bank receives approximately $15-18 million per year in funding. As nice as it is to have this, it doesn’t come close to providing what we truly need.

The time has come for counties to step up and play a significant role. Here in South Carolina, Charleston County has dedicated $221 million over 25 years to conservation funding, and Beaufort County has preserved more than 10,000 acres of land since 1997 using the $40 million approved by voters in 2000 for the Rural and Critical Land Preservation Program.

Counties in other fast-growing Southeastern states have also funded conservation initiatives, for example:

• Mecklenburg County, NC: $44 million
• Wake County, NC: $24 million
• Gwinnet County, GA: $85 million
• Indiana River County, FL: $50 million

The Conservation Bank model would work extremely well at the local level. The State Bank is funded by a portion of the state’s share of the deed recording fee. The counties also receive a share of this fee, so local banks could be funded the same way. Of course, there are other sources of funding — bonds and taxes — that can be considered. A County Council could appoint a well-balanced board of volunteers to administer and manage the program, just like the State of South Carolina does.

County conservation banks could quickly and easily be established in the Upstate (and the rest of the state). The only thing keeping that from happening is political leadership and courage.

You can help. Contact your County Council representative today and say that it is time to make conservation a priority at the local level. Your voice was heard in Columbia – it will be heard in your county as well.