STATE SCENIC RIVERS PLANS NOW ONLINE

Listen up, landowners, sportsmen, plant lovers, historians and others who live in river watersheds: If you're online, you can read river management plans for the Ashley, Broad and Lower Saluda rivers on the state DNR's Web site at www.dnr.state.sc.us. These plans are part of the DNR's Scenic Rivers program, whose goal is "the conservation of South Carolina's river heritage through the proper management of the natural and cultural character of the state's river corridors."

Why would you want to read a river management plan? If you're a landowner who acquired watershed property after your river's plan was published, you'll want to read it to learn about the voluntary options for participation in the Scenic Rivers Stewardship program, among other things.

Are you a sportsman or other community member planning a trip or outing in the watershed? You'll discover a complete assessment of river recreational use and access in the plan.

Those interested in the flora and fauna of the watershed will find not only recreational opportunities involving plants and critters but also conservation needs and activities.

General river conservationists will appreciate the detailed and varied information discussed in the preservation and conservation chapter of their river's plan. Finally, history and culture buffs have not been forgotten and will uncover tips that can guide their adventures in the watershed.

Among other items of interest covered in the management plans are watershed law enforcement, public safety, education and community stewardship.

If the Ashley, Broad and Lower Saluda aren't your rivers, the DNR can offer you hard-copy management plans for the Lynches, Reedy, Edisto and Catawba rivers, but these plans are not available for viewing online at present. There is no charge for these hard copies. To obtain hard copies of any river management plan, including those online, or for other questions, call (803) 734-9100 in Columbia and ask for Mary Crockett at crockettm@dnr.sc.gov, Bill Marshall at marshallb@dnr.sc.gov or Rich Scharf at scharfr@dnr.sc.gov.

Black and Great Pee Dee river fans, your management plans are in process. It takes three years to construct a plan, so be patient. No publication date has been set at this time.

To access the three available management plans on the DNR Web site go to the DNR home page at www.dnr.state.sc.us. Click on "Conservation." Scroll down to "Publications." Click on "Ashley Scenic River Management Plan," "Broad Scenic River Management Plan," "Lower Saluda Corridor Plan," or "Lower Saluda Corridor Plan Update."

- Written by Rosanne McDowell -

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