A letter from Dana Beach regarding Captain Sam’s Spit and other South Carolina environmental issues

Folks,

Here are four excellent articles from the Post and Courier and the State.

The first, [Capt. Sam’s Spit development could imperil little-regarded marsh turtle on Kiawah Island] by the Post and Courier’s Bo Petersen, reports that the development of Capt. Sams’ Spit by the Kiawah developers could destroy a population of diamond-back terrapins, the only small salt water species of turtle on the East Coast. Because terrapins keep populations of marsh snails under control, eliminating the turtle threatens to precipitate an explosion of snails, with the resulting destruction of salt marsh along the lower Kiawah River. This phenomenon is not simply speculation. It is already occurring in coastal areas with degraded habitat.

The second article, [North Charleston’s InterTech Group to build solar farm under deal with Santee Cooper] by John McDermott from the Post and Courier, reports that the North Charleston-based InterTech Group will build the solar energy facility in Walterboro sponsored by Santee Cooper and the electric cooperatives. InterTech’s Grant Reeves has been an energetic and persuasive advocate for removing the prohibition on solar leasing in South Carolina.

The third piece [Lessons from Key West] is an editorial from the Post and Courier exhorting the City of Charleston to consider the Key West’s vote against dredging their channel deeper to accommodate larger cruise ships. Key West overwhelmingly (75%) rejected the proposal to expand an already massive cruise presence that has transformed that community for the worse over the past few decades.

The final piece, [STATE HOUSE FOR SALE: SC ethics law a muddled mess] by the State’s Adam Bean, is the most extensive piece yet on the disastrous jumble of ethics laws that govern South Carolina legislators. It is long, but it is absolutely essential reading to understand why legislators can get away with almost anything, and why an anti-corruption law is key to restoring honesty to decision making in South Carolina.

Sincerely,

Dana

Dana Beach is the executive director of the Coastal Conservation League located at 328 East Bay St., Charleston, SC 29401. You can contact Dana at Da*******@sc***.org or (843) 723-7016.