H*4718 Concurrent Resolution, By Limehouse, Umphlett, Hagood, Merrill, 
Jefferson, Ceips, Dantzler, Haley, Neilson, Scarborough, Hinson, Funderburk, 
Miller, Altman and Battle

Similar(S 1179)
 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO URGE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO
 OPPOSE THE SALE OF LAND IN THE FRANCIS MARION AND SUMTER NATIONAL FORESTS.

   02/23/06  House  Introduced HJ-42
   02/23/06  House  Referred to Committee on Invitations and Memorial
                     Resolutions HJ-42
   02/28/06  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Hinson
   03/02/06  House  Committee report: Favorable Invitations and
                     Memorial Resolutions HJ-4
   03/03/06         Scrivener's error corrected
   03/07/06  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Funderburk
   03/08/06  House  Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Miller,
                     Altman, Battle
   03/08/06  House  Adopted, sent to Senate HJ-29
   03/08/06  Senate Introduced
   03/08/06  Senate Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural
                     Resources SJ-15
   03/28/06  Senate Committee report: Favorable Agriculture and
                     Natural Resources SJ-14
   03/29/06  Senate Adopted, returned to House with concurrence SJ-24

COMMITTEE REPORT

March 28, 2006

H. 4718

Introduced by Reps. Limehouse, Umphlett, Hagood, Merrill, Jefferson, Ceips, Dantzler, Haley, Neilson, Scarborough, Hinson, Funderburk, Miller, Altman and Battle

S. Printed 3/28/06--S.

Read the first time March 8, 2006.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4718) to urge the South Carolina Congressional Delegation to oppose the sale of land in the Francis Marion, etc., respectfully

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

LAWRENCE K. GROOMS for Committee.

TO URGE THE SOUTH CAROLINA CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO OPPOSE THE SALE OF LAND IN THE FRANCIS MARION AND SUMTER NATIONAL FORESTS.

Whereas, the sale of more than 300,000 acres of national forest land, an amount of land roughly equal to the size of the Francis Marion National Forest, has been proposed; and

Whereas, in South Carolina, the proposed sale of land includes selling 4,665 acres in 45 tracts in the Francis Marion National Forest and Sumter National Forest; and

Whereas, conservationists contend that the sale of this forested property sets a bad precedent for the federal government selling such properties in the future; and

Whereas, the Francis Marion National Forest is a 250,000 acre ecological treasure home to some of the most important habitat remaining in South Carolina due to its extensive longleaf pine and savannah habitat on which animals, birds, and plants depend for their existence; and

Whereas, the Francis Marion National Forest is already under threat from development with a proposed road through the heart of the forest and suburban development threatening to encroach upon the forest; and

Whereas, selling this national forest land will open South Carolina up to more uncontrolled growth, sending a negative message that could undermine local attempts to restrain suburban sprawl adjacent to the Francis Marion National Forest and diminish the ongoing efforts of the United States Forest Service, which has been restoring this land since Hurricane Hugo devastated the area in 1989; and

Whereas, after centuries of logging, farming, and development, the State has very few areas left where stands of native forest can grow, and the Francis Marion and the Sumter National Forests are home to some of these few remaining native forests, an irreplaceable resource that must be protected. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, urge the South Carolina congressional delegation to oppose the sale of land in the Francis Marion and Sumter National Forests.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to each member of the South Carolina Congressional Delegation.