South Carolina legislation · 126th General Assembly
South Carolina H5069: SC Protected Lands and Conservation Coordination Act
Status: Signed into law, June 2, 2026
What the bill says
To amend the south carolina code of laws by adding chapter 61 to title 48 so as to establish the "south carolina protected lands and conservation coordination act"; to provide definitions; to recognize conservation of natural resources as an important state interest; to establish a statewide protected land benchmark; and to provide for coordination of land protection projects and annual reporting to the general assembly. amend title to conform amend title to conform w hereas, south carolina's natural resources, including forests, farmlands, wetlands, wildlife habitats, beaches, and coas.
From the amended text, May 7, 2026:
A bill TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING CHAPTER 61 TO TITLE 48 SO AS TO ESTABLISH THE "SOUTH CAROLINA PROTECTED LANDS AND CONSERVATION COORDINATION ACT"; TO PROVIDE DEFINITIONS; TO RECOGNIZE CONSERVATION OF NATURAL RESOURCES AS AN IMPORTANT STATE INTEREST; TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE PROTECTED LAND BENCHMARK; AND TO PROVIDE FOR COORDINATION OF LAND PROTECTION PROJECTS AND ANNUAL REPORTING TO THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. Amend Title To Conform Amend Title To Conform W hereas, South Carolina's natural resources, including forests, farmlands, wetlands, wildlife habitats, beaches, and coastal areas, are vital to the State's environmental health, economic vitality, agricultural productivity, and quality of life; and W hereas, continued growth and rapid land development in South Carolina place increasing pressure on natural resource preservation and have affected the health of the State's streams, rivers, wetlands, water quality, wildlife habitats, and working lands, all of which impact the quality of life of the state's current and future citizens; and W hereas, conservation of these resources is achieved through a combination of public and private efforts, voluntary landowner participation, agency programs, and local initiatives; and W hereas, coordination among state agencies promotes the efficient use of public funds and strengthens conservation outcomes while respecting private property rights; and W hereas, voluntary conservation easements on private lands provide a cost-effective means of …