Hybrid rebates are available through June 30, 2010. This fiscal year we have only had one applicant compared to eight last year. The fund balance is $19,500. This rebate may or may not be approved again by County Council.
Our hopes are that the rebate will continue and all of the funding will be used thus increasing the population of hybrid vehicles in Florence County. It is no doubt that the economy has played a big role in the purchase of any vehicle but we hope that those of you who are in the market for a new car will consider a hybrid.
The main purpose of the rebate is to help reduce emissions in Florence County. Air Quality will definitely continue to be a topic for conversation due to new EPA ozone regulations. That will be another BLOG!
Please contact us or visit our websit www.florenceco.org for an application or information regarding the rebate.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Friday, May 28
Monday, May 17
Highway 51 (Pamplico Hwy) Widening
I recently attended a Public Information meeting on the widening of SC Route 51 (Pamplico Highway). There were probably 150 citizens in attendence all wanting to know how their property would be affected. The proposed widening extends approximately twenty four miles from S-57 (Claussen Road) near Florence, to US 378 (East Myrtle Beach Highway) near S-225 (Sandpit Road).The purpose of this meeting was not only to supply the public with as much detail as possible but SCDOT wants to hear what the public has to say. This preliminary design offers much conversation for the land owner. The best way to express your concerns is to fill out the provided comment sheet. SCDOT will take all of these comments into consideration to make the best choices for all involved.
The proposal will consist of four lanes instead of two with a 15-ft paved median/left-turn lane. There will be 10-ft shoulders with 2-ft being paved and the other 8-ft grassed.
The total estimated cost of this project is $151.5 million. This will be the fifth project to be funded through a combination of Local Option Sales Tax and State Transportation Infrastructure Bank funds.
I heard pros and cons regarding this widening. Some of you felt that this is a much needed project that will benefit the growth of Pamplico and others of you felt that Pamplico would lose it's quaint charm.
If this widening project affects you, how do you feel about it?
Friday, May 7
Logging On Lynches River
I joined a group of Lynches River residents along with officials from The Department of Natural Resources (DNR), the South Carolina Forestry Commission and The Morning News on a kayak trip along The Lynches River near Johnsonville where a logging operation was recently completely.
I'm an 'every now and then' kayaker, but when I do go, my favorite part is floating along the 
more open portions of the river, leaning back and enjoying the peaceful feeling of seeing nothing but trees and the habitat amongst them. This particular trip was a little more challenging for me. The experienced kayakers took me through narrow areas and slews where my kayak was like a magnet to the trees. That'll teach me not to go but 'every now and then'!
Anyway, back to the purpose of the trip! Some local residents were concerned about the thin canopy in some areas as a result of the recent logging activity. You may remember from one of my blogs last year about this portion of the Lynches River being designated as a State Scenic River.
Logging operations are protected by State Law; however, logging activities are subject to state and federal laws concerning water qualtiy and maintaining an adequate buffer. A buffer is riparian lands maintained immediately adjacent to streams or lakes to protect water quality, fish habitat, and other resources. The South Carolina Forestry Commission's Better Management Practices manual suggests a 40' buffer remain between logging activity and a river. There is always that potential for the accumulation of sediment in the riparian areas, which in turn leads to possible impacts on water quality and fisheries. A well established buffer from open land serves as a point to retain such to eliminate it from reaching the water.
During the float trip, we did notice areas where the logged area was apparant through the canopy. The trees in these areas were small and spaced out, but the 40' suggested buffer seemed to be there. It did however, take away from the serene feeling of the river.
Logging operations are very important to South Carolina's economy. It brings in billions of dollars to the state annually, and provides employment to thousands of people. Water quality, and protecting our environment are important as well, so it's always good to expand our knowledge on the awesome benefits nature has given us and anything we can do to assist.
On a different note, I'd like to share something I witnessed during the trip that made me smile. Two mother ducks appeared a few yards ahead of us. They'd fly slightly above the water, then drop and fluttering in the water, then fly again. They continued this display every few feet. One of the kayakers explained to me that they were trying to get us to follow them so we wouldn't notice their babies at the edge of the canopy. When they are comfortable that we've passed where their babies are, they'll fly back to them. Sure enough, shortly after he told me this, we saw the babies swimming along the edge of the canopy and soon thereafter, the mother ducks were gone.
Ae you smiling yet? Maybe you had to be there!
more open portions of the river, leaning back and enjoying the peaceful feeling of seeing nothing but trees and the habitat amongst them. This particular trip was a little more challenging for me. The experienced kayakers took me through narrow areas and slews where my kayak was like a magnet to the trees. That'll teach me not to go but 'every now and then'!Anyway, back to the purpose of the trip! Some local residents were concerned about the thin canopy in some areas as a result of the recent logging activity. You may remember from one of my blogs last year about this portion of the Lynches River being designated as a State Scenic River.
Logging operations are protected by State Law; however, logging activities are subject to state and federal laws concerning water qualtiy and maintaining an adequate buffer. A buffer is riparian lands maintained immediately adjacent to streams or lakes to protect water quality, fish habitat, and other resources. The South Carolina Forestry Commission's Better Management Practices manual suggests a 40' buffer remain between logging activity and a river. There is always that potential for the accumulation of sediment in the riparian areas, which in turn leads to possible impacts on water quality and fisheries. A well established buffer from open land serves as a point to retain such to eliminate it from reaching the water.
During the float trip, we did notice areas where the logged area was apparant through the canopy. The trees in these areas were small and spaced out, but the 40' suggested buffer seemed to be there. It did however, take away from the serene feeling of the river.Logging operations are very important to South Carolina's economy. It brings in billions of dollars to the state annually, and provides employment to thousands of people. Water quality, and protecting our environment are important as well, so it's always good to expand our knowledge on the awesome benefits nature has given us and anything we can do to assist.
On a different note, I'd like to share something I witnessed during the trip that made me smile. Two mother ducks appeared a few yards ahead of us. They'd fly slightly above the water, then drop and fluttering in the water, then fly again. They continued this display every few feet. One of the kayakers explained to me that they were trying to get us to follow them so we wouldn't notice their babies at the edge of the canopy. When they are comfortable that we've passed where their babies are, they'll fly back to them. Sure enough, shortly after he told me this, we saw the babies swimming along the edge of the canopy and soon thereafter, the mother ducks were gone.
Ae you smiling yet? Maybe you had to be there!
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