By Marvin Davant, SC Conservation Bank Director and DU Volunteer
The South Carolina Conservation Bank Act was signed into law in 2002 but funding for the Bank did not begin until 2004. As with most legislation the introduction and passage of this Act was difficult and time consuming. It was finally passed by a bi-partisan effort in the South Carolina Legislature and a great deal of support from many individuals and conservation and business groups. The Bank was founded to provide an incentive to voluntary landowners to preserve and protect significant lands in South Carolina by purchasing interests in real property. The Bank is funded by placing a portion of the state documentary stamp fee into a special trust account annually.
The vision and mission of the Bank to conserve wetlands/forestlands fits perfectly with the same purpose that Ducks Unlimited has which is to protect habitat. This is the reason that Ducks Unlimited has been an ardent supporter of the passage of the Bank Act and continues to support its annual funding requests.
In its two years with funding experience the Conservation Bank has conserved and protected a total of 72,886 acres of significant lands in South Carolina at a cost of $33 million. 69,802 acres of this land was wetlands/forestlands open to public access. The Bank has protected over 50 miles of river frontage. In fact, the Conservation Bank has directly granted $6 million to Ducks Unlimited to protect 12,280 acres in the Ashley River Corridor, which is the gateway to the ACE Basin.
The long-term vision and mission of the Conservation Bank is to conserve and protect as much of our significant lands as possible with limited funding so that we might preserve traditions such as hunting and fishing and other outdoor recreation in South Carolina.
Development in South Carolina is expanding at an ever increasingly rapid pace. We will have another 1 million people in South Carolina in twenty years. The demand for property will continue to decrease our open space and availability of lands for hunting and fishing and other traditional uses. The Conservation Bank is dedicated to preserving the heritage and traditions that make South Carolina a truly special place. The Conservation bank is pleased to be a partner with Ducks Unlimited in this continuing effort to improve the quality of life in South Carolina.
To find out more about the South Carolina Conservation Bank log on to http://sccbank.sc.gov or call Marvin N. Davant, Director,at 803-734-3986 or e-mail davantm@dnr.sc.gov