A Blue Trail For Florence?

How awesome it would be if a portion of Jefffries Creek could become a Blue Trail! The Congaree, Wateree, Wacammaw and Reedy Rivers, are just a few Blue Trails you may be familiar with. Until I started educating myself on Blue Trails, I had no idea the length of Jeffries Creek. It's headwaters begin just south of Hartsville flowing through Florence and Darlington counties for approximately 34 miles before reaching the Great Pee Dee River. Pretty amazing!


Not familiar with what a blue trail is? It's water equivalent to a hiking trail benefiting paddlers, anglers, hikers, picnickers or for those of us just seeking a bit of solitude. I DO love group recreation, but ahhhh...., solitude!

Several interested Florence residents met for a brainstorming session recently. Representatives from American Rivers and Greenville County were there to offer suggestions and share their success stories. Research is on the way to see if this is a possibility. Lots of work would need to be done to make this happen. The group will meet again soon. If you're interested in attending, send me a comment and I'll make sure you know when and where.


Check out the list of SC Water Trails. Can we add Florence County to this list? What's your thoughts? More to come later........

Florence Falling off the Census Ranking

A look at today's Census return ranking shows Florence lagging behind the statewide and national averages.

Check out our status: http://2010.census.gov/2010census/take10map/

Just perusing the map show that some of my colleagues in Aiken County are enjoying a 3 point lead over the Florentines!

We are running neck and neck with Charleston and trailing Greenville!!

Let's go Florentines - return those Census questions and get a gold star!

Watersheds: Easy as 04030201!

Where does your drinking water come from?

Obviously, clean water is essential to life. Watersheds supply drinking water, provide recreation and sustain life (just a little important, right?). Food, fiber, manufactured goods, and tourism depend on clean water and healthy watersheds, too.

Watersheds and drainage basins are natural ups and downs of the land surface that channel rainwater to a common waterway, such as a stream, lake, river, etc. The two major rivers in Florence County are the Lynches River and the Great Pee Dee River. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows the watershed for the upper area of the County is named the Lower Pee Dee River Basin (numbered 03040201 in the graphic above), containing the Great Pee Dee River. The southern part of the County is part of the Lynches River watershed (labeled ...202), and as the name implies, drains to the Lynches River.

The Pee Dee River has a lot of work to do accepting drainage from Jeffries Creek, Catfish Creek, the Lynches River (yes, one watershed drains into another!), the Little Pee Dee River and the Black River Basin.

Federal water legislation dates back to the nineteenth century when Congress enacted the River and Harbor Act of 1886, recodified in the Rivers and Harbors Act of 1899. The principal body of law currently in effect is based on the Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments of 1972, which significantly expanded and strengthened earlier legislation. Major amendments were enacted in the Clean Water Act of 1977 and the Water Quality Act of 1987.

So you see, protecting our watersheds is imperative for our health and it's federally regulated! The City of Florence has recently completed a project with the help of a local Eagle Scout troop putting up these signs to educate residents on the importance of protecting our watersheds. There are approximately 15 signs installed noting to passersby of adjacent waterways.

Let's all join in the effort to protect Florence County's watershed!

Congratulations PDRTA!

Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority has received two SCDOT awards from the Transportation Association of South Carolina (TASC) conference. PDRTA was acknowleded as being the best Urban Transit provider of the year and Amy Ragin was given kudos for best driver of the year. Amy was commended for her assistance with a customer that was having a heart attack.

PDRTA's increased ridership has resulted in new routes that serve the outer areas of Florence. They have also increased the number of daily trips to Lake City and Myrtle Beach. PDRTA has developed partnerships with Northeastern Technical College, Francis Marion University, the US Census Bureau, the United Motorcoach Association and City/County governments providing great benefits to their service area.

We are fortunate to have a group that wants to serve the community in the best capacity available. PDRTA continues to pursue the need for bus shelters and bus stop areas at subdivisions and affordable housing projects.

Way to go PDRTA!

New FLATSPress available

The Florence Area Transportation Study has released the February 2010 newsletter.

See the newsletter here:

From Newletters

This issue includes articles about air quality, the 2035 transportation plan, enhancement grants and the comprehensive plan.

Please send us your feedback and offer new topics for us to address in the next issue.

Aging Boomers Flock to the Southeast

When considering retirement, Baby Boomers have a different opinion than previous generations. It seems that Florida is no longer the first choice for those looking forward to their golden years. The preferred destinations are North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The 2010 Del Webb Baby Boomer Survey revealed the following information:

• 42% of today's 50-year-olds plan to move during retirement.


• 20% preferred South Carolina while 16% chose North Carolina and Florida receives 15% of the vote.


• 72% of the younger Baby Boomers feel the need to continue employment after retirement while 14% believe the possibility of never retiring may be inevitable.

The economic recession has changed the retirement plans for many over the age of 55. Savings that would have been used for retirement are no longer there. Downsizing will be necessary but pedestrian friendly communities, trails and public transportation will be high on the priority list when considering retirement destinations. Sprawling subdivisions will give way to a community that supports the urban style of living.

It is certain that the future relocation of Boomers to these areas permits the opportunity to ensure Smart Growth!

Transportation Plan Forging Ahead!

The last two weeks have been non-stop transportation planning for the Florence County Planning Services staff. The Florence Area Transportation Study (FLATS) Long Range Transortation Plan (LRTP) is coming along nicely thanks to Florence County resident's interest and input. The LRTP serves as a guide for overall transportation improvements in the Florence area. Safety and mobility for bicyclists, pedestrians, transit riders and highway users is so important.


The Transportation Advisory Committee (TPAC) met in the afternoon of February 18th to review the recent updates to the plan. These updates were presented by Kimley-Horn and Associates, the consultants on the plan development. In the evening of the 18th, we had the opportunity to speak with Florence residents at the 2nd public workshop to review the same updates. Participants were given the opportunity to ask questions and then vote on preferred projects from several lists of recommendations.


During the first public workshop a few months back, your major concerns were about the need for more provisional bicycle and greenway space and the need to clean up what we already have in Florence County. You gave us great ideas on problem areas to look at and study.


If you have not been able to attend one of the first two public workshops, you'll have another chance soon, so keep your eyes and ears open for the next public notice. Better yet, comment on this blog and give me your e-mail address and I'll add you to the FLATS Contact List and you'll receive all updates on what's going on in the FLATS area.


In the meantime, take a look at the completed chapters for the LRTP on the transportation website and give us your opinion and feedback.