By Clark Beavans
SC House Bill H3989: TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA . . . TO PROHIBIT A POLITICAL SUBDIVISION FROM ADOPTING OR ENFORCING A REGULATION, RESOLUTION, OR ORDINANCE THAT WOULD PROHIBIT OR RESTRICT THE REMOVAL OF TREES OR OTHER VEGETATION ON PRIVATE PROPERTY.
H3989 was introduced on 3/2/2021 by District 58 Representative Jeffrey Johnson of Conway, SC. It was referred to the House Judiciary Committee, of which Mr. Johnson is a member.
If passed, this proposal will strip SC municipalities and counties of their rights to regulate tree removal during development, which typically falls under their planning and zoning jurisdiction.
Towns, cities, and counties in South Carolina have long utilized tree protection ordinances to help them retain tree canopy cover. The oldest example I could find is Summerville’s tree ordinance, which dates to 1848.
Tree canopy cover provides vital contributions to the public good, including significant public health benefits, stormwater mitigation, climate change attenuation, land and air temperature moderation, and higher property values. H3989 appears to be a brazen attempt to strip away the right to protect tree canopy cover merely to pave the way for easier, more reckless development.
Stripping away rights to maximize the profits of some at the expense of all is an old story that has played out repeatedly in South Carolina. Unless we stand and fight to keep our right to protect tree canopy cover, it could happen again in the next legislative session. Do not allow it to happen!
Trees SC is tracking the status of this bill. It is our understanding that H3989 did not die in committee as would have befitted the pernicious notion, but instead received an 11th hour hearing at the end of the 2021 session and therefore is still alive to be considered as carryover legislation in 2022.
We vigorously oppose H3989 and call on all SC citizens, municipalities, counties, and other political subdivisions to immediately contact your SC legislative delegation and register your opposition to H3989. It doesn’t matter whether the legislature is in session, your political representatives can and do listen to their constituents because to remain in office, they have to.
The most powerful way to communicate with your representative is to sit down and write a letter. Length is unimportant. The fact that you took the time to write your views, address and stamp an envelope, and mail it will speak volumes. I can tell you from personal experience, it doesn’t take near as many letters as you think to make a real difference in the fate of pending legislation.
If you don’t know who to write, Google is your friend. Find out who your SC Representative is and write directly to them. Also, please copy your letter to the Chair of the House Judiciary Committee.
If you are still reading at this point, thank you. Now, please go participate in the political process, as distasteful as it may seem. You have the power to change things, and South Carolina needs you!
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