South Carolina’s unbroken vistas, miles of scenic rivers, aged swamps, untouched mountains, well tended forest and fields harbor diverse populations of wildlife. This level of biodiversity and scenic beauty is also what brings many people to the state and helps to support its economy. It is estimated that almost 600,000 hunters and anglers live in South Carolina and collectively generate more than $180 million in state and local taxes. This level of economic activity, and the many habitats that can be found within the state, are important to conserve. To that end, South Carolina has created a wildlife action plan with a conservation strategy for the 1,240 species of fish and wildlife that have been identified as having an immediate conservation need or are key indicators of wildlife diversity. This cooperative and partner-based plan will help to ensure the conservation of South Carolina’s abundant resources for future generations.

South Carolina State Wildlife Action Plan

More about conservation in South Carolina

SARP Contact:  Ross Self, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Division of Inland Fisheries

Key Focus Areas:

AQUATIC NUSIANCE SPECIES (ANS)
SOUTH CAROLINA ANS Management Project
Current Status of ANS Management Plan: Completed.
SARP ANS Contact: Chris Page, South Carolina Dept. of Natural Resources
For more information: http://www.dnr.sc.gov/invasiveweeds/ais.htm  
SARP ANS Coordinator:  Marilyn Barrett-O’Leary

Program Activity:

SOUTHEASTERN INSTREAM FLOW NETWORK (SIFN)
South Carolina Instream Flow Project
Current Instream Flow Policy:  In South Carolina the minimum flow required for a stream is the greatest of the minimum flows required for:  1) Protection of water quality, 2) Protection of fish and wildlife habitats, 3) Maintenance of navigability, and 4) Estuary maintenance and prevention of saltwater intrusion.  The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources established an instream flow policy for protection of fish and wildlife habitats in 1989.  The policy informs registration of surface water withdrawals by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control registers water withdrawals under the South Carolina Surface Water Withdrawal and Reporting Act (Section 49-4-10) of 1976.  The instream flow policy sets seasonal minimum flows in two river classes:  in Piedmont streams and rivers - 40% mean annual flow (MAF) Jan-April; 30% MAF May, June, and December; and 20% MAF July-November and in Coastal Plain streams and rivers - 60-40-20 % MAF for the respective seasons.

SIFN participant organizations:

• South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
• South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
• University of South Carolina
• Clemson University
• American Rivers
• The Nature Conservancy

SARP Contact:  Ron Ahle, Biologist, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
 
SIFN Coordinator:  Scott Robinson

Instream Flow Update:

1. In the South Carolina 2008 legislative session, a bill to establish a water withdrawal permitting program failed due in part to disagreements over instream flow criteria.  In preparation for further discussions about instream flow criteria, the SCDNR has updated the scientific basis for their current instream flow policy.