The SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the SC Conservation Bank recently received five grants, totaling $ 5 million, to protect coastal wetlands in Williamsburg, Jasper, Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties.
“Conservation of coastal wetland habitat is critical to ensuring that important habitats, wildlife and coastal communities continue to thrive for future generations,” said South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants, awarded by the U.S. Fisheries and Wildlife Service, provides funding of up to $ 1 million for coastal states to protect, restore and improve coastal wetlands and associated wetlands ecosystems. A maximum of US $ 1 million was given to each of South Carolina’s five projects.
“These donations will have far-reaching benefits for South Carolina’s local economies, people and wildlife,” he said. J. Raleigh West III, executive director of the Conservation Bank of SC. “They will strengthen partnerships with various public, nonprofit and private stakeholders, while directly conserving and restoring vital coastal habitats and inland wetlands.”
Concessions for coastal wetlands are financed by a “user payment” system for collections from the sale of recreational fishing equipment, boats, electric motors and fuels for motor boats and small engines under the authority of the Sports Fish Restoration Act 1950 Dingell-Johnson.