South Carolina General Assembly
122nd Session, 2017-2018

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Bill 3698

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Indicates New Matter


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Indicates Matter Stricken

Indicates New Matter

COMMITTEE AMENDMENT ADOPTED

May 10, 2017

H. 3698

Introduced by Reps. V.S. Moss, Duckworth, Forrest, Hiott and Hixon

S. Printed 5/10/17--S.

Read the first time February 22, 2017.

            

A BILL

TO AMEND SECTION 50-1-50, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO GEOGRAPHICAL BOUNDARIES FOR CERTAIN BODIES OF WATER, SO AS TO PROVIDE GEOGRAPHIC BOUNDARIES FOR THE PORTION OF THE INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY LOCATED IN HORRY COUNTY AND TO MAKE A TECHNICAL CHANGE; TO AMEND SECTION 50-5-1556, RELATING TO LOCATIONS WHERE STRIPED BASS MAY BE TAKEN, SO AS TO REVISE THE PERIODS OF TIME WHEN STRIPED BASS MAY BE TAKEN IN VARIOUS BODIES OF WATER; AND TO AMEND SECTION 50-13-230, AS AMENDED, RELATING TO THE TAKING OF STRIPED BASS WITHIN VARIOUS BODIES OF WATER, SO AS TO REVISE THE PERIOD OF TIME WHEN STRIPED BASS MAY BE TAKEN WITHIN VARIOUS BODIES OF WATER, TO PROVIDE FOR LIMITS FOR THE TAKING OF STRIPED BASS WITHIN VARIOUS BODIES OF WATER, TO PROVIDE FOR THE TAKING OF STRIPED BASS IN THE SANTEE RIVER, AND TO DELETE THE PROVISION THAT REQUIRES THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TO CONDUCT A STUDY OF THE STRIPED BASS FISHERY ON THE SANTEE AND COOPER RIVER SYSTEMS.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

SECTION    1.    Section 50-1-50 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 7 of 2013, is further amended to read:

"Section 50-1-50.    The following water bodies have the geographic boundaries as described:

(1)    'Ashepoo River' means all waters of the Ashepoo River from its confluence with Saint Helena Sound upstream to the confluence of Jones Swamp and Ireland Creeks, near S.C. State Highway 63/U.S. Highway 17A Bridge in Colleton County.

(2)    'Ashley River' means all waters of the Ashley River from its confluence with the Cooper River in Charleston Harbor upstream to the confluence of Great Cypress Swamp and Rumphs Hill Creeks.

(3)    'Back River (Jasper County)' means all waters of Back River from its confluence with the Savannah River upstream to its headwaters on Hutchinson Island.

(4)    'Little Back River (Jasper County)' means all waters of Little Back River from its confluence with Back River upstream to the confluence of McCoy's Creek and Union Creek.

(5)    'Beaufort River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Beaufort River from its confluence with Port Royal Sound upstream to the confluence with Battery, Cowen, Albergottie, and Brickyard Creeks.

(6)    'Black Creek (Chesterfield, Darlington, and Florence counties)' means all waters of Black Creek from its confluence with the Great Pee Dee River upstream to S.C. State Highway S-13-513 (Griggs Street Bridge) in Chesterfield County.

(7)    'Black Creek (Lexington County)' means all waters of Black Creek from its confluence with North Fork Edisto River upstream to its headwaters at Taylors Pond Dam near S.C. State Highway S-32-77 (Two Notch Road Bridge) in Lexington County.

(8)    'Black Mingo Creek' means all waters of Black Mingo Creek from its confluence with the Black River upstream to the confluence of Paisley Swamp and Cedar Swamp Creeks.

(9)    'Black River' means all waters of Black River from its confluence with the Great Pee Dee River upstream to its headwaters northwest of S.C. State Highway S-31-33 near McCutchens Crossroads in Lee County.

(10)    'Bohicket Creek (Charleston County)' means all waters of Bohicket Creek from its confluence with North Edisto River upstream to its confluence with Church Creek.

(11)    'Broad River' means all waters of Broad River from its confluence with the Saluda River at U.S. Highway 1/U.S. Highway 378 (Gervais Street Bridge) upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(12)    'Lower reach of the Broad River' means all waters of the Broad River from its confluence with the Saluda River at U.S. Highway 1/U.S. Highway 378 (Gervais Street Bridge) upstream to Parr Dam.

(13)    'Upper reach of the Broad River' means all waters of the Broad River from Parr Dam upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(14)    'Broad River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Broad River from its confluence with Port Royal Sound upstream to the confluence of Whale Branch, Coosawhatchie River, and Pocotaligo River.

(15)    'Buffalo Creek (Newberry County)' means all waters of Buffalo Creek from its confluence with Lake Murray upstream to State Highway S-36-404.

(16)    'Bull Creek (Georgetown and Horry counties)' means all waters of Bull Creek from its divergence from the Great Pee Dee River to its confluence with the Waccamaw River.

(17)    'Bull River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Bull River from its confluence with Coosaw River upstream to its confluence with Wimbee Creek and Williman Creek.

(18)    'Bulls Bay' means all open bay waters bounded on the east by a line running northeast from the northern tip of Bull Island following the COLREG line to the southern tip of Sandy Point.

(19)    'Bush River' means all waters of Bush River from Lake Murray in Newberry County at S.C. State Highway S-36-41, upstream to its headwaters beyond S.C. State Highway S-30-72 Bridge (Gary Street) in Laurens County.

(20)    'Calibogue Sound' means all waters between Hilton Head Island and Daufuskie Island bounded on the seaward side by a line running due west from the westernmost tip of Hilton Head Island (latitude 32° 6.82' N, longitude 080° 49.78' W) and bounded on the inland side by a line from the northern tip of Daufuskie Island (latitude 32° 8.34' N, longitude 080° 50.35' W) running along the marsh shore of Bull Island to its easternmost point (latitude 32° 11.46' N, longitude 080° 47.37' W) and then running due east to Hilton Head Island, and then following the shoreline in a southwesterly direction across the confluence of Broad Creek to the westernmost tip of Hilton Head Island.

(21)    'Cape Romain Harbor (Charleston County)' means all waters inshore of the COLREG line between Cape Island and Murphy Island and bounded on the eastern side by Cape Island and to its confluence with Romain River, Horsehead Creek, Congaree Boat Creek, and Alligator Creek, and inshore of the COLREG line from Cape Island to Raccoon Key.

(22)    'Catawba River' means all waters of the Catawba River from the backwaters of Fishing Creek Reservoir at S.C. State Highway 9 upstream to the Lake Wylie Dam.

(23)    'Chattooga River' means all waters of the Chattooga River beginning at its confluence with Opossum Creek upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(24)    'East Fork Chattooga River' means all waters of East Fork Chattooga River from its confluence with the Chattooga River upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(25)    'Chauga River' means all waters of the Chauga River from Lake Hartwell upstream to the confluence of Village and East Village Creeks.

(26)    'Chechessee Creek (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Chechessee Creek from its confluence with Chechessee River upstream to the confluence with Colleton River near Manigault Neck.

(27) 'Chechessee River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Chechessee River from its confluence with Port Royal Sound upstream to the confluence with Hazzard Creek.

(28)    'New Chehaw River (Colleton County)' means all waters of New Chehaw River from its confluence with the Combahee River upstream to its diversion from the Old Chehaw River.

(29)    'Old Chehaw River (Colleton County)' means all waters of Old Chehaw River from its confluence with the Combahee River upstream to its headwaters outside of the town of Green Pond.

(30)    'Cheohee Creek' means all waters of Cheohee Creek from its confluence with Flat Shoal River and Tamassee Creek upstream to its headwaters east of S.C. State Highway 107 in Oconee County.

(31)    'Church Creek (Charleston County)' means all waters of Church Creek from its confluence with Wadmalaw River in Wadmalaw Sound upstream to its confluence with Bohicket Creek.

(32)    'Clark Sound' means all waters bounded on the northwestern side by James Island and on the eastern side by marshes associated with Morris Island.

(33)    'Clark's Creek' means all waters of Clark's Creek from its confluence with the Great Pee Dee River upstream to its divergence from the Lynches River in Florence County.

(34)    'Colleton River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Colleton River from its confluence with Chechessee River upstream until its confluence with Okatee River.

(35)    'Combahee River' means all waters of the Combahee River from its confluence with the Coosaw River upstream to the confluence of the Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers.

(36)    'Congaree River' means all waters of the Congaree River from its confluence with the Wateree River upstream to the confluence with the Broad and Saluda Rivers at U.S. Highway 1/U.S. Highway 378 (Gervais Street Bridge).

(37)    'Cooper River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Cooper River from its confluence with Calibogue Sound upstream to its confluence with the New River.

(38)    'Cooper River (Berkeley and Charleston counties)' means all waters of Cooper River from its confluence with the Ashley River in the Charleston Harbor upstream to the confluence of East Branch Cooper River and West Branch Cooper River.

(39)    'Cooper River system (Berkeley and Charleston counties)' means all waters of Cooper River and its fresh water tributaries, from the freshwater/saltwater dividing line to its headwaters including the East and West Branch and the Tailrace Canal.

(40)    'Coosaw River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Coosaw River from its confluence with Saint Helena Sound upstream to its confluence with Whale Branch, McCalleys Creek, and Brickyard Creek.

(41)    'Coosawhatchie River' means all waters of the Coosawhatchie River from its confluence with the Broad River (Jasper County) upstream to U.S. Highway 301 in Allendale County.

(42)    'Great Cypress Swamp' means all waters of the Great Cypress Swamp from its confluence with the Ashley River upstream to the confluence of Partridge Creek and Wassamasaw Swamp Creek or Big Run Creek.

(43)    'Dawhoo River (Charleston County)' means all waters of Dawhoo River from its confluence with the North Edisto River upstream to its divergence with the South Edisto River.

(44)    'Durbin Creek (Greenville and Laurens counties)' means all waters of Durbin Creek from its confluence with the Enoree River in Laurens County upstream to S.C. State Highway 418 in Laurens County.

(45)    'Eastatoe Creek' means all waters of Eastatoe Creek from Lake Keowee backwaters upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(46)    'Edisto River' means all waters of the Edisto River from its confluence with the South Edisto River and Dawhoo River upstream to the confluence of the North Fork Edisto River and South Fork Edisto River.

(47)    'North Edisto River' means all waters of the North Edisto River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to the confluence of Dawhoo River and Wadmalaw River.

(48)    'South Edisto River' means all waters of the South Edisto River from its confluence with Saint Helena Sound upstream to the confluence of the Edisto River and Dawhoo River.

(49)    'North Fork Edisto River' means all waters of the North Fork Edisto River from its confluence with the South Fork Edisto River upstream to the confluence of Chinquapin Creek and Lightwood Knot Creek in Lexington County.

(50)    'South Fork Edisto River' means all waters of the South Fork Edisto River from its confluence with the North Fork Edisto River upstream to S.C. State Highway S-19-41(Edisto Road) in Edgefield County.

(51)    'Enoree River' means all waters of the Enoree River from its confluence with the Broad River upstream to its headwaters near S.C. State Highway S-23-869 (Tubbs Mt. Road).

(52)    'Five Fathom Creek (Charleston County)' means all waters of Five Fathom Creek from its confluence with Bull's Bay just west of Sandy Point to its divergence from the Intracoastal Waterway.

(53)    'Folly Creek (Charleston County)' means all waters of Folly Creek from its confluence with Folly River upstream to its confluence with Lighthouse Creek.

(54)    'Folly River (Charleston County)' means all waters of Folly River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean north of Stono Inlet upstream to the tidal flats behind Folly Island and onto its confluence with Rat Island Creek.

(55)    'Harbor River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Harbor River from its confluence with Saint Helena Sound and the Atlantic Ocean upstream to its confluence with Station Creek and Trenchards Inlet.

(56)    'Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County)' means all waters of the Intracoastal Waterway from its confluence with the Waccamaw River upstream to U.S. Highway 17.

(56)(57)    'Jeffries Creek' means all waters of Jeffries Creek from its confluence with the Great Pee Dee River upstream to S.C. State Highway 403 in Darlington County.

(57)(58)    'Kiawah River (Charleston County)' means all waters of Kiawah River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean at Captain Sam's Inlet upstream to its confluence with the Stono River.

(58)(59)    'Little River (Abbeville, Anderson, and McCormick counties)' means all waters of Little River from the backwaters of Lake J. Strom Thurmond in McCormick County upstream to the confluence of Baker Creek (Long Branch) and Corner Creek in Anderson County. 'Little River (Horry County)' means all waters of Little River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean at Little River Inlet upstream to its confluence with the Intracoastal Waterway to the headwaters of Socastee Creek.

(59)(60)    'Little River (Newberry and Laurens counties)' means all waters of Little River from its confluence with the Saluda River upstream to S.C. State Highway S-30-419 (Ghost Creek Road) in Laurens County.

(60)(61)    'Little River (Sumter County)' means all waters of Little River from its confluence with the Wateree River upstream to its divergence from the Wateree River.

(61)(62)    'Log Creek (Edgefield County)' means all waters of Log Creek from its confluence with Turkey Creek upstream to S.C. State Highway 23 (Columbia Highway).

(62)(63)    'Long Cane Creek (McCormick County)' means all waters of Long Cane Creek from the backwaters of Lake J. Strom Thurmond near S.C. State Highway 28 in McCormick County upstream to S.C. State Highway S-1-75 in Abbeville County.

(63)(64)    'Lumber River' means all waters of Lumber River from its confluence with the Little Pee Dee River upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(64)(65)    'Lynches River' means all waters of Lynches River from its confluence with the Great Pee Dee River upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(65)(66)    'May River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of May River from its confluence with Calibogue Sound upstream to its headwaters just past the confluence of Stoney Creek.

(66)(67)    'McCoy's Cut (Jasper County)' means all waters of McCoy's Cut from its divergence from Savannah River to its confluence with Union Creek to form the Little Back River.

(67)(68) 'Mill Creek (Florence County)' means all waters of Mill Creek from its confluence with Muddy Creek upstream to its divergence from Lynches River.

(68)(69)    'Morgan River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Morgan River from its confluence with Saint Helena Sound upstream to the confluence of Lucy Point Creek and Warsaw Flats.

(69)(70)    'Muddy Creek (Florence and Williamsburg counties)' means all waters of Muddy Creek from its confluence with Clark's Creek upstream to its headwaters near Hemingway, South Carolina.

(70)(71)    'Mulberry Creek (Greenwood County)' means all waters of Mulberry Creek from the backwaters of Lake Greenwood upstream to U. S. Highway 25 in Greenwood County.

(71)(72)    'Mungen Creek (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Mungen Creek from its divergence from the New River to its confluence with the New River.

(72)(73)    'Murrells Inlet (Georgetown County)' means all saltwaters of Murrells Inlet from the seaward tip of the Murrells Inlet jetties inland. This includes these tributary creeks: Main Creek, Woodland Creek, Parsonage Creek, Allston Creek, and Oaks Creek and adjacent marshes.

(73)(74)    'New River' means all waters of New River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to its headwaters at Garrett Lake near U.S. Interstate Highway 95.

(74)(75)    'North Santee Bay' means all waters of the bay west of a line running southwest from the southern tip of South Island to the eastern tip of Cedar Island and upstream to the confluence of Mosquito and Big Duck Creeks.

(75)(76)    'Okatee River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Okatee River from its confluence with Colleton River upstream to its headwaters near U.S. Highway 278.

(76)(77)    'Oolenoy River' means all waters of Oolenoy River from its confluence with the South Saluda River upstream to its headwaters near US Highway 178 in Pickens County.

(77)(78)    'Pacolet River' means all waters of Pacolet River from its confluence with the Broad River upstream to the Lake H. Taylor Blalock Dam in Spartanburg County.

(78)(79)    'North Pacolet River' means all waters of North Pacolet River from its confluence with the South Pacolet River upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(79)(80)    'South Pacolet River' means all waters of South Pacolet River from Lake William C. Bowen in Spartanburg County upstream to its headwaters near Glassy Mountain in Greenville County.

(80)(81)    'Great Pee Dee River (also known as Pee Dee River or Big Pee Dee River)' means all waters of Great Pee Dee River from its confluence with Winyah Bay upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(81)(82)    'Little Pee Dee River' means all waters of Little Pee Dee River from its confluence with the Great Pee Dee River upstream to Red Bluff Lake Dam at the confluence of Gum Swamp Creek and Beaver Dam Creek in Marlboro County.

(82)(83)    'Pocotaligo River (Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties)' means all waters of Pocotaligo River from its confluence with the Broad River upstream to its headwaters north of U.S. Highway 17 in Jasper County.

(83)(84)    'Pocotaligo River (Clarendon and Sumter counties)' means all waters of Pocotaligo River from its confluence with the Black River upstream to the confluence of Cane Savannah Creek and Turkey Creek in Sumter County.

(84)(85)    'Port Royal Sound' means all waters of Port Royal Sound between Hilton Head Island and Bay Point, bounded on the seaward side by a line running northeasterly from the easternmost tip of Hilton Head Island (latitude 32° 12.97' N, longitude 080° 40.05' W), to the southernmost tip of Bay Point (latitude 32° 15.39' N, longitude 080° 37.92' W), and bounded on the inland side by a line from the northernmost tip of Hilton Head Island (latitude 32° 16.23' N, longitude 080° 43.68' W), running northeasterly to the southern tip of Parris Island (latitude 32° 17.88' N, longitude 080° 40.08' W), and thence running southeasterly to the southern tip of Bay Point.

(85)(86)    'Price Creek (Charleston County)' means all waters of Price Creek from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to its divergence from Sewee Bay.

(86)(87)    'Rabon Creek (Laurens County)' means all waters of Rabon Creek from the backwaters of Lake Greenwood upstream to the Lake Rabon Dam in Laurens County.

(87)(88)    'Re-diversion Canal' means all waters of the Re-diversion Canal from its confluence with the Santee River upstream to the St. Stephen Dam and those waters upstream of the dam to its juncture with Lake Moultrie in Berkeley County.

(88)(89)    'Reedy River' means all waters of Reedy River from the backwaters of Lake Greenwood at S.C. State Highway S-30-6 in Laurens County, upstream to Boyd Millpond Dam, and all waters upstream of Boyd Millpond to its headwaters near Renfrew and Travelers Rest in Greenville County at S.C. State Highway S-23-103.

(89)(90)    'Rocky River' means all waters of Rocky River from Lake Secession upstream to the confluence of Little Beaverdam and Beaverdam Creeks in Anderson County.

(90)(91)    'Saint Helena Sound' means all waters of Saint Helena Sound bounded by Edisto Beach, Otter Island, Ashe Island, Morgan Island, St. Helena Island, and Harbor Island, bounded on the seaward side by the COLREG line from Edisto Beach to Hunting Island, and bounded on the inland side by the U.S. Highway 21 bridge in the mouth of Harbor River, from the northern tip of Coffin Point (latitude 32° 26.78' N, longitude 080° 29.01' W), just east of the mouth of Coffin Creek running north crossing the mouth of Morgan River to the eastern tip of Morgan Island marsh (latitude 32° 28.14' N, longitude 080° 28.63' W), and then running north across the mouth of Coosaw River to the southern tip of Ashe Island (latitude 32° 29.77' N, longitude 080° 28.35' W), and by a line running due east from the eastern tip of Ashe Island (latitude 32° 30.19' N, longitude 080° 27.33' W), crossing the mouth of Rock Creek to Hutchinson Island, and by a line running south across the mouth of the Ashepoo River to the western side of Otter Island (latitude 32° 28.72' N, longitude 080° 25.15' W) and extending to the southern tip of Edisto Beach (latitude 32° 28.64' N, longitude 080° 20.30' W).

(91)(92)    'Salkehatchie River' means all waters of Salkehatchie River from its confluence with the Little Salkehatchie River upstream to the confluence of Buck Creek and Rosemary Creek near S.C. State Highway S-06-166 in Barnwell County.

(92)(93)    'Little Salkehatchie River' means all waters of Little Salkehatchie River from its confluence with the Salkehatchie River upstream to the Lake Cynthia Dam in Barnwell County.

(93)(94)    'Middle Saluda River' means all waters of Middle Saluda River from its confluence with South Saluda River upstream to its headwaters near U.S. Highway 276 in Greenville County.

(94)(95)    'North Saluda River' means all waters of North Saluda River from its confluence with South Saluda River upstream to the North Saluda Reservoir (Poinsett Reservoir) Dam.

(95)(96)    'South Saluda River' means all waters of South Saluda River from its confluence with Saluda River and North Saluda River upstream to the Table Rock Dam in Greenville County.

(96)(97)    'Lower reach of the Saluda River' means all waters of Saluda River from its confluence with Broad River upstream to the Lake Murray Dam.

(97)(98)    'Middle reach of the Saluda River' means all waters of Saluda River from the backwaters of Lake Murray at S.C. State Highway 395, upstream to the Lake Greenwood Dam.

(98)(99)    'Upper reach of the Saluda River' means all waters of Saluda River from the backwaters of Lake Greenwood upstream to the confluence of North Saluda River and South Saluda River.

(99)(100)    'Little Saluda River' means all waters of Little Saluda River from the backwaters of Lake Murray upstream to the confluence of Mine Creek and Red Bank Creek near U.S. Highway 378 in Saluda County.

(100)(101)    'Sampit River' means all waters of Sampit River from its confluence with Winyah Bay upstream to U.S. Highway 17A in Georgetown County.

(101)(102)    'Santee River' means all waters of Santee River from its confluence with North Santee River and South Santee River upstream to the Lake Marion Dam and from the backwaters of Lake Marion at the railroad trestle bridge near Rimini upstream to the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers.

(102)(103)    'North Santee River' means all waters of North Santee River from its confluence with North Santee Bay upstream to its confluence with the Santee River and South Santee River.

(103)(104)    'South Santee River' means all waters of South Santee River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to its confluence with Santee River and North Santee River.

(104)(105)    'Lower reach of the Santee River' means all waters of Santee River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream via the North Santee River, the South Santee River, and the Santee River to the Lake Marion Dam including the waters of the Re-diversion Canal upstream to the St. Stephen Dam.

(105)(106)    'Upper reach of the Santee River' means all waters of Santee River from the backwaters of Lake Marion at the railroad trestle bridge near Rimini upstream to the confluence of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers.

(106)(107)    'Santee River system' means all waters of Santee River including tributaries from the saltwater/freshwater dividing line on the North and South Santee Rivers upstream to the Lake Murray Dam on the Saluda River, the Canal Dam on the Broad River, and the Wateree Dam on the Wateree River.

(107)(108)    'Savannah River' means all waters of Savannah River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to the Lake J. Strom Thurmond Dam and from the backwaters of Richard B. Russell Lake upstream to the Lake Hartwell Dam.

(108)(109)    'Lower reach of the Savannah River' means all waters of Savannah River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean or mouth of the Savannah River as defined by a line from Jones Island, South Carolina (also known as Oysterbed Island) point at latitude 32° 02.30' N, longitude 080° 53.35' W; across Cockspur Island, Georgia, point at latitude 32° 01.97' N, longitude 080° 52.93' W to Lazaretto Creek, Georgia, point at latitude 32° 01.03' N, longitude 080° 52.85' W upstream to the Lake J. Strom Thurmond Dam.

(109)(110)    'Upper reach of the Savannah River' means all waters of Savannah River from S.C. State Highway 181 (the backwaters of Richard B. Russell Lake) upstream to the Lake Hartwell Dam.

(110)(111)    'Socastee Creek (Horry County)' means all waters of Socastee Creek from its confluence with Waccamaw River upstream to the Intracoastal Waterway to the headwaters of Little River.

(111)(112)    'Stevens Creek' means all waters of Stevens Creek from the back waters of Stevens Creek Reservoir upstream to the confluence of Hard Labor Creek and Cuffytown Creek in McCormick County.

(112)(113)    'Stono River (Charleston County)' means all waters of Stono River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean at Stono Inlet upstream to its confluence with Wadmalaw River in Wadmalaw Sound.

(113)(114)    'Story River (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Story River from its confluence with Fripp Inlet upstream to its confluence with Trenchards Inlet.

(114)(115)    'Thicketty Creek' means all waters of Thicketty Creek, excluding private impoundments, from its confluence with the Broad River upstream to the Lake Thicketty Dam in Cherokee County.

(115)(116)    'Trenchards Inlet (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Trenchards Inlet from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to its confluence with Station Creek and Harbor River.

(116)(117)    'Tulifinny River' means all waters of Tulifinny River from its confluence with the Coosawhatchie River upstream to its divergence from the Coosawhatchie River.

(117)(118)    'Turkey Creek (Edgefield County)' means all waters of Turkey Creek from its confluence with Stevens Creek upstream to S.C. State Highway 23 in Edgefield County.

(118)(119)    'Tyger River' means all waters of Tyger River from its confluence with Broad River upstream to the confluence of the North Tyger River and South Tyger River.

(119)(120)    'Middle Tyger River' means all waters of Middle Tyger River from its confluence with the North Tyger River upstream to its headwaters just north of S.C. State Highway 11, excluding Lake Lyman.

(120)(121)    'North Tyger River' means all waters of North Tyger River from its confluence with the South Tyger River upstream to its headwaters south of S.C. State Highway 11 in Spartanburg County.

(121)(122)    'South Tyger River' means all waters of South Tyger River from its confluence with the North Tyger River upstream to the confluence of Mush Creek and Barton Creek in Greenville County, excluding the lakes.

(122)(123)    'Union Creek (Jasper County)' means all waters of Union Creek from its confluence with McCoy's Cut and Little Back River upstream to its headwaters near Chisolm Cemetery.

(123)(124)    'Waccamaw River' means all waters of Waccamaw River from its confluence with Winyah Bay upstream to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line.

(124)(125)    'Wadmalaw River (Charleston County)' means all waters of Wadmalaw River from its confluence with the North Edisto River to its junction with the Intracoastal Waterway and Church Creek.

(125)(126)    'Wando River' means all waters of Wando River from its confluence with the Cooper River upstream to its headwaters.

(126)(127)    'Warrior Creek' means all waters of Warrior Creek from its confluence with the Enoree River upstream to its headwaters just west of S.C. State Highway S-30-660 in Laurens County.

(127)(128)    'Wateree River' means all waters of Wateree River from its confluence with the Congaree River upstream to the Lake Wateree Dam.

(128)(129)    'Whale Branch (Beaufort County)' means all waters of Whale Branch from its confluence with Coosaw River, McCalleys Creek, and Brickyard Creek upstream to its junction with the Broad River.

(129)(130)    'Wilson Creek (Greenwood County)' means all waters of Wilson Creek from its confluence with the Saluda River upstream to U.S. Highway 25/U.S. Highway 221/U.S. Highway 178 Bypass in Greenwood County.

(130)(131)    'Winyah Bay' means all waters of Winyah Bay east of a line running south from the southern tip of North Island to the eastern tip of Sand Island, and extending to the mouths of the Sampit, Great Pee Dee, and Waccamaw Rivers.

(131)(132)    'Wright River (Jasper County)' means all waters of Wright River from its confluence with the Atlantic Ocean upstream to its headwaters in Jasper County.

(132)(133)    'Lake H. Taylor Blalock' means all waters of Pacolet River impounded by the Lake Blalock Dam upstream to the confluence with North Pacolet River below Reservoir #1 (Rainbow Lake) Dam in Spartanburg County.

(133)(134)    'Lake William C. Bowen' means all waters of South Pacolet River impounded by the Lake Bowen Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway 11.

(134)(135)    'Cedar Creek Lake (also known as Stumpy Pond or Rocky Creek Lake)' means all waters of Catawba River impounded by the Cedar Creek/Rocky Creek Dam upstream to the Dearborn Powerhouse on Rocky Creek and U.S. Highway 21 on Rocky Creek. This includes waters between the Cedar Creek Hydro Station on the west bank upstream to the base of the shoals north of Hill Island (Bypass Reach).

(135)(136)    'Lake Cooley' means all waters of Jordan Creek impounded by the Lake Cooley Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway S-42-784 (Ballenger Road) in Spartanburg County.

(136)(137)    'Lake Cunningham' means all waters of South Tyger River impounded by the Lake Cunningham Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway 101 in Greenville County.

(137)(138)    'Fishing Creek Reservoir' means all waters of Catawba River impounded by the Fishing Creek Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway 9. This includes all waters upstream of the Fishing Creek Dam to the confluence of Rum Creek and Cane Creek on Cane Creek and to Catawba Ridge Boulevard on Bear Creek.

(138)(139)    'Goose Creek Reservoir' means all waters of Goose Creek impounded by the Goose Creek Reservoir Dam upstream to U.S. Highway 52 in Berkley County.

(139)(140)    'Lake Greenwood' means all waters of Saluda River impounded by the Buzzard's Roost (Lake Greenwood) Dam upstream to U.S. Highway 25 including the tributaries of Cane Creek upstream to S.C. State Highway 72, Rabon Creek upstream to S.C. State Highway S-30-54 in Laurens County, and the Reedy River upstream to S.C. State Highway S-30-6 in Laurens County.

(140)(141)    'Lake Hartwell' means all waters of Savannah River impounded by the Lake Hartwell Dam upstream to the Lake Yonah Dam on the Tugaloo River and to the Lake Keowee Dam on the Keowee River. This includes all waters upstream of Hartwell Dam to S.C. State Highway S-04-97 on Six and Twenty Creek in Anderson County.

(141)(142)    'Lake Hartwell Tailwater' means all waters of Savannah River upstream of S.C. State Highway 181 to Lake Hartwell Dam.

(142)(143)    'Lake Jocassee' means all waters of Keowee, Toxaway, and Whitewater Rivers impounded by the Lake Jocassee Dam upstream to the elevation of 1110 msl.

(143)(144)    'Lake Keowee' means all waters of Keowee River impounded by the Little River Dam at Newry and the Keowee Dam to Jocassee Dam. This includes all waters upstream of the Little River Dam to the confluence of Cane Creek and Little Cane Creek on Cane Creek, to S.C. State Highway S-37-175 on Crooked Creek, to S.C. State Highway S-37-24 (Burnt Tanyard Road) on Little River, and to S.C. State Highway S-37-200 on Stamp Creek in Oconee County. This includes all waters upstream of the Keowee Dam to the confluence of Eastatoe River and Little Eastatoe Creek on the Eastatoe River; S.C. State Highway 133 on Cedar, Crowe, and Mile Creeks in Pickens County.

(144)(145)    'Louther's Lake' means the oxbow lake off of the Great Pee Dee River in eastern Darlington County near S.C. State Highway S-16-495.

(145)(146)    'Lake Lyman' means all waters of Middle Tyger River impounded by the Lake Lyman Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway S-42-75 in Spartanburg County.

(146)(147)    'Lake Marion' means all waters of the Santee River and its tributaries impounded by the Lake Marion Dam including the flooded backwater areas within the Santee Cooper project area in Calhoun and Sumter counties.

(147)(148)    'Lake Monticello' means all waters impounded by the Frees Creek Dam including the recreational subimpoundment in Fairfield County.

(148)(149)    'Lake Moultrie' means all waters impounded by the Pinopolis Dam including the Diversion Canal and those waters of the Re-diversion Canal within the Santee Cooper project area.

(149)(150)    'Lake Murray' means all waters of Saluda River impounded by the Lake Murray Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway 395 and the Little Saluda River arm up to Big Creek.

(150)(151)    'Parr Reservoir' means all waters of Broad River impounded by the Parr Reservoir Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway 34.

(151)(152)    'Reservoir #1 (Rainbow Lake)' means all waters of South Pacolet River impounded by the Reservoir #1 Dam upstream to Lake William C. Bowen Dam in Spartanburg County.

(152)(153)    'Lake Robinson (Darlington and Chesterfield counties)' means all waters of Black Creek and its tributaries impounded by the Lake Robinson Dam upstream to its headwaters west of S.C. State Highway S-13-46 in Chesterfield County.

(153)(154)    'Lake Robinson (Greenville County)' means all waters of South Tyger River impounded by the Lake Robinson Dam upstream to S. C. State Highway S-23-114.

(154)(155)    'Lake Russell' means all waters of Savannah River impounded by the Lake Richard B. Russell Dam upstream to the Lake Hartwell Dam including the tributary Rocky River upstream to the Lake Secession Dam.

(155)(156)    'Saluda Lake (Pickens and Greenville counties)' means all the waters of the Saluda River and its tributaries impounded by the Saluda Dam upstream to the S.C. State Highway S-39-183 (Farr's Bridge Road).

(156)(157)    'Lake Secession' means all the waters of Rocky River impounded by the Lake Secession Dam upstream to S.C. State Highway 413.

(157)(158)    'Stevens Creek Reservoir' means all waters of Savannah River upstream of the Stevens Creek Dam to the Lake J. Strom Thurmond Dam including the tributary of Stevens Creek upstream to the confluence of Dry Branch, Cheves Creek, and Stevens Creek in Edgefield County.

(158)(159)    'Lake J. Strom Thurmond (formerly Clarks Hill Lake)' means all waters of Savannah River impounded by the Lake J. Strom Thurmond Dam upstream to the Richard B. Russell Dam, including the tributaries of Little River to Calhoun Mill at the S.C. State Highway 823 Bridge and Long Cane Creek to Patterson Bridge at S.C. State Highway S-33-117 in McCormick County.

(159)(160)    'Lake Tugaloo' means all waters of Tugaloo River impounded by the Lake Tugaloo Dam upstream to the confluence of the Chattooga River and Opossum Creek in Oconee County.

(160)(161)    'Lake Wateree' means all waters of Catawba and Wateree Rivers impounded by the Lake Wateree Dam upstream to the Cedar Creek Hydro Station and Rocky Creek Hydro Station and the dam between the two. This includes the waters to the confluence of Colonel Creek and the first unnamed tributary on Colonel Creek; to the confluence of Fox (June) Creek and the first unnamed tributary on Fox (June) Creek; to S.C. State Highway S-28-101 on Rochelle Creek; to the confluence of Dutchman's Creek and the first unnamed tributary on the south side of Dutchman's Creek; to the confluence of Taylor Creek and the first unnamed tributary on the north side of Taylor Creek; to U.S. Highway 21 on Little Wateree Creek and Big Wateree Creek; to Wildlife Road on Singletons Creek; to S.C. State Highway S-28-13 on Beaver Creek and to S.C. State Highway 97 on White Oak Creek.

(161)(162)    'Lake Wylie' means all waters of Catawba River impounded by the Lake Wylie Dam upstream to the southern end of Sunset Island, which constitutes the North Carolina/South Carolina state line, and bounded on the east by the North Carolina/South Carolina state line, which follows the middle of the course of the Catawba River. This includes all waters impounded by the Lake Wylie Dam to S. C. State Highway 274 on Little Allison Creek; to the confluence of Big Branch and Allison Creek on Big Allison Creek; to Vineyard Road on Torrance Creek; to the confluence of Beaver Dam Creek and Crowder's Creek on Crowder's Creek; to the confluence of the first unnamed tributary on Mill Creek and Mill Creek; to the North Carolina/South Carolina state line on Catawba Creek. The upper boundary of Lake Wylie is the North Carolina/South Carolina state line located mid channel of the Catawba River at the confluence of the Catawba River and South Fork Catawba River.

(162)(163)    'Lake Yonah' means all waters of Tugaloo River impounded by the Lake Yonah Dam upstream to the Lake Tugaloo Dam."

SECTION 2.    Section 50-5-1556 of the 1976 Code, as added by Act 193 of 2010, is amended to read:

"Section 50-5-1556.    (A)    In the inshore waters, except for that portion of the Savannah River from the saltwater-freshwater dividing line downstream to the mouth of the Savannah River defined by a line from Jones Island, S.C. (also known as Oysterbed Island) point at N. 32° 02' 18" (N 32.03833°), W. 80° 53' 21" (W 80.88917°); across Cockspur Island, Georgia, point at N. 32° 01' 58" (N 32.03278°), W. 80° 52' 56" (W 80.88222°) to Lazaretto Creek, Georgia, point at N 32° 01' 2" (N 32.01722°), W. 80° 52' 51" (W 80.88083°), and the territorial sea from June first sixteenth through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to possess any striped bass (rockfish). Any striped bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came.

(B)    In the inshore waters, except for that portion of the Savannah River from the saltwater-freshwater dividing line downstream to the mouth of the Savannah River defined by a line from Jones Island, S.C. (also known as Oysterbed Island) point at N. 32° 02' 18" (N 32.03833°), W. 80° 53' 21" (W 80.88917°); across Cockspur Island, Georgia, point at N. 32° 01' 58" (N 32.03278°), W. 80° 52' 56" (W 80.88222°) to Lazaretto Creek, Georgia, point at N 32° 01' 2" (N 32.01722°), W. 80° 52' 51" (W 80.88083°), and the territorial sea from October first through May thirty-first June fifteenth it is unlawful to:

(1)    take or possess more than three striped bass per day;

(2)    take any striped bass less than twenty-six inches in length; or

(3)    land any striped bass without the head and tail fin intact."

SECTION    3.    Section 50-13-230 of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 113 of 2012, is further amended to read:

"Section 50-13-230.    (A)    In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system except the lower reach of the Saluda River; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County); and Waccamaw River from June first to sixteenth through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or to possess striped bass. Striped bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came.

(B)    On the lower reach of the Saluda River from June first to sixteenth through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to take or possess striped bass. Striped bass taken must be returned immediately to the waters from where it came.

(C)    In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County); and Waccamaw River from October first through May thirty-first June fifteenth, it is unlawful to take or possess more than three striped bass a day.

(D)    In the following freshwater bodies: the Ashepoo River; Ashley River; Back River in Jasper County and the Back River in Berkeley County; Black River; Black Mingo Creek; Bull Creek and Little Bull Creek; Combahee River; Cooper River system; Coosawhatchie River; Cuckholds Creek; Edisto River; Horseshoe Creek; Lumber River; Lynches River; Great Pee Dee and Little Pee Dee Rivers; Pocotaligo River in Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties; Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie Rivers; Sampit River; Santee River system; Tulifinny River; Thoroughfare Creek; Intracoastal Waterway (Horry County); and Waccamaw River from October first through May thirty-first June fifteenth, it is unlawful to take or possess a striped bass less than twenty-six inches in total length.

(E)    In the Santee River system from October first through June fifteenth, it is unlawful to take or possess a striped bass less than twenty-three inches or greater than twenty-five inches, provided that one striped bass taken or possessed may be greater than thirty-six inches.

(E)(F)    On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda River it is unlawful to possess more than five striped bass a day. From June first through September thirtieth, it is unlawful to take, attempt to take, or possess more than five striped bass a day.

(F)(G)    On Lake Murray and the middle reach of the Saluda River from October first through May thirty-first, it is unlawful to possess a striped bass less than twenty-one inches in total length. From June first to September thirtieth there is no minimum length.

(G)(H)    On Lakes Hartwell and Thurmond it is unlawful to possess more than ten striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day and only three may be over twenty-six inches in total length.

(H)(I)    On Lake Richard B. Russell and the Lake Hartwell tail water it is unlawful to possess more than two striped bass or hybrid bass or a combination of those a day, and only one may be over thirty-four inches total length.

(I)(J)    On the lower reach of the Savannah River it is unlawful to possess more than two striped bass, hybrid bass, white bass, or a combination of these. Any of these fish taken from the lower reach of the Savannah River must be at least twenty-seven inches in total length.

(J)(K)    It is unlawful to land striped bass unless the head and tail fin are intact.

(K)(L)    The department shall establish the daily possession and size limits for striped bass on all other waters of this State, provided, limits must not be set by emergency regulation.

(L) The department shall make a study of the striped bass fishery on the Santee and Cooper River systems and make recommendations on any needed modifications of this section before January, 2015."

SECTION 4.    The repeal or amendment by this act of any law, whether temporary or permanent or civil or criminal, does not affect pending actions, rights, duties, or liabilities founded thereon, or alter, discharge, release or extinguish any penalty, forfeiture, or liability incurred under the repealed or amended law, unless the repealed or amended provision shall so expressly provide. After the effective date of this act, all laws repealed or amended by this act must be taken and treated as remaining in full force and effect for the purpose of sustaining any pending or vested right, civil action, special proceeding, criminal prosecution, or appeal existing as of the effective date of this act, and for the enforcement of rights, duties, penalties, forfeitures, and liabilities as they stood under the repealed or amended laws.

SECTION    5.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

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This web page was last updated on May 10, 2017 at 4:31 PM