H 4546 General Bill, By Lucas and J.M. Neal
 A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION
 1-1-679 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER AS THE OFFICIAL
 ENDANGERED SPECIES OF THE STATE.

   01/14/04  House  Introduced and read first time HJ-86
   01/14/04  House  Referred to Committee on Agriculture, Natural
                     Resources and Environmental Affairs HJ-86

TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, BY ADDING SECTION 1-1-679 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER AS THE OFFICIAL ENDANGERED SPECIES OF THE STATE.

Whereas, the Red-cockaded Woodpecker is about seven inches long with a wingspan of approximately fifteen inches, its back is covered in black and white stripes, and its distinguishing characteristic is a black cap and nape that encircle large white cheek patches; and

Whereas, the male Red-cockaded Woodpecker has a small red streak on each side of its black cap called a cockade; and

Whereas, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service officially listed the Red-cockaded Woodpecker as an endangered species in 1970; and

Whereas, Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge in Chesterfield County is home to the largest population of endangered Red-cockaded Woodpeckers on United States Fish and Wildlife Service land. Now, therefore,

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

SECTION    1.    Article 9, Chapter 1, Title 1 of the 1976 Code is amended by adding:

"Section 1-1-679.    The Red-cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis) is designated the official endangered species of the State."

SECTION    2.    This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.