S*1269 Session 112 (1997-1998)
S*1269 Resolution, By Alexander, Cork, Drummond, Giese, Hayes, Holland, Land,
Leatherman, Leventis, Martin, McConnell, Moore, Ravenel, Saleeby, Waldrep and
Wilson
A SENATE RESOLUTION TO COMMEND AND THANK THE RICHARD KING MELLON FOUNDATION;
THE STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD; AND THE BOARD AND TEH DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES FOR THEIR ROLES IN THE STATE'S PURCHASE OF THE JOCASSEE
GORGES PROPERTY AND TO REQUEST THE BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES TO DEDICATE THIS AREA AS THE "JIM TIMMERMAN NATURAL RESOURCES AREA
AT JOCASSEE GORGES" IN HONOR OF DR. JAMES A. TIMMERMAN, JR., DIRECTOR EMERITUS
OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ONE OF THIS STATE'S
MOST RESPECTED CONSERVATIONISTS.
05/27/98 Senate Introduced and adopted SJ-11
A SENATE RESOLUTION
TO COMMEND AND THANK THE RICHARD KING MELLON
FOUNDATION; THE CONSERVATION FUND; DUKE
ENERGY/CRESCENT RESOURCES, INCORPORATED; THE
STATE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD; AND THE BOARD
AND THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES FOR
THEIR ROLES IN THE STATE'S PURCHASE OF THE
JOCASSEE GORGES PROPERTY AND TO REQUEST THE
BOARD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
TO DEDICATE THIS AREA AS THE "JIM TIMMERMAN
NATURAL RESOURCES AREA AT JOCASSEE GORGES"
IN HONOR OF DR. JAMES A. TIMMERMAN, JR., DIRECTOR
EMERITUS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF
NATURAL RESOURCES AND ONE OF THIS STATE'S MOST
RESPECTED CONSERVATIONISTS.
Whereas, the State of South Carolina is acquiring 32,000 acres of
mountain property known as Jocassee Gorges from Duke Energy/
Crescent Resources, Incorporated. The General Assembly provided
ten million dollars toward the purchase price of this property, the
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources provided one
million dollars, and ten million dollars was generously donated by the
Richard King Mellon Foundation through the work of the
Conservation Fund. Duke Energy/Crescent Resources, Incorporated
also will generously donate a portion of this property's value to the
State to complete the transaction. The State will receive 24,000 acres
of the purchase in May and the remainder in 1999; and
Whereas, the state's agreement with Duke Energy/Crescent
Resources, Incorporated will preserve a highland area larger than
many national parks in an upstate region of our State that has
spectacular mountain beauty. The Jocassee Gorges land stretches
from the Sumter National Forest in Oconee County to the Table Rock
State Park in Pickens County; and
Whereas, this project has within its boundaries the area historically
known as "the Horsepasture," an area of enormous
historical significance to the State and long renowned as an area
where people from throughout the State come to enjoy hunting,
fishing, hiking, and general outdoor recreation; and
Whereas, this project also is located within the Franklin L. Gravely
Wildlife Management Area, named for Conservation Officer Franklin
L. Gravely for his long and distinguished career serving the public
and the state's natural resources in the upper part of South Carolina;
and
Whereas, it is the intention of the South Carolina Senate that only
those lands bought from Duke Energy/Crescent Resources,
Incorporated are to be so dedicated and that the name of the
Horsepasture and the Franklin L. Gravely Wildlife Management Area
shall not be changed in any way; and
Whereas, this preservation agreement will protect the Jocassee
Gorges property from development, but the public will continue to
have access to this magnificent site which contains at least sixty-four
threatened or endangered species; hundreds of mosses unusual to the
State; the state's largest population of black bears; Sassafras
Mountain, the state's highest peak; and crystal clear waterfalls, rivers,
and creeks; and
Whereas, this acquisition fulfills a life-long dream of longtime
Department of Natural Resources Director, James A. Timmerman,
Jr., who retired last summer. Dr. Timmerman, since the middle
1970's, had envisioned the state's acquiring this land but never
dreamed it would occur in his lifetime; and
Whereas, Dr. Timmerman was born in Pelzer, South Carolina, on
April 6, 1935; received a B.S. degree in zoology from Clemson
University in 1957, a M.S. degree in zoology from Clemson
University in 1959, and a Ph.D. degree in zoology from Auburn
University in 1963; and
Whereas, Dr. Timmerman served the State of South Carolina with
distinction in many varied capacities during his exemplary career of
public service. From 1974 until 1994, he served as Executive
Director of the South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources
Department, and after governmental restructuring, the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources Board voted unanimously to name
Dr. Timmerman Director of the Department of Natural Resources on
July 15, 1994, and he served as agency director until his retirement
on June 30, 1997. Upon his retirement, the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources Board named him Director
Emeritus, and Dr. Timmerman continues to assist the Board and the
Department of Natural Resources in the cause of preserving and
protecting our natural resources and helping our youth understand
and appreciate the natural world; and
Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate believe that it
would be a fitting tribute to one of South Carolina's most beloved and
respected conservationists if this magnificent acquisition were
dedicated as the "Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at
Jocassee Gorges" in honor of Dr. Timmerman. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the Senate:
That the members of the Senate of the State of South Carolina, by
this resolution, commend and thank the Richard King Mellon
Foundation; the Conservation Fund; Duke Energy/Crescent
Resources, Incorporated; the State Budget and Control Board; and the
Board and Department of Natural Resources for their roles in the
state's purchase of the Jocassee Gorges property and request the
Board of the Department of Natural Resources to dedicate this area
as the "Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee
Gorges" in honor of Dr. James A. Timmerman, Jr., Director
Emeritus of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and
one of this state's most respected conservationists.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
the Richard King Mellon Foundation; the Conservation Fund; Duke
Energy/Crescent Resources, Incorporated; the State Budget and
Control Board; the Board and Department of Natural Resources; and
Dr. James A. Timmerman.
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