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The public should give its enthusiastic support to an ambitious plan for
protecting green space in Charleston County, which will be presented in four
sessions this week. The final plan will direct the county's preservation of
the local landscape for the next quarter century.
The work of consultants and the Greenbelt Advisory Board recognizes the
strong public support for retaining wildlife habitat, farm and forest land,
and the development of an extensive system of trails for walking and biking.
The greenbelt plan will bolster the county's efforts to prevent urban sprawl
and will provide new opportunities for public use in scenic areas.
Each goal would be complemented by the work of the Charleston County Park
and Recreation Commission, which has committed to spending its share of
half-cent sale tax revenues for the purchase of park land.
In earlier hearings, residents stated their strong support for using
greenbelt funds mainly for rural projects, acknowledging the importance of
countering rampant development along the urban fringe. The greenbelt board
affirmed that goal by recommending that 70 percent of half-cent sales tax
revenues be committed in the rural area.
The board held fast to the 70-30 split, despite arguments by local
municipalities for a larger share of the overall allocation. That campaign
will likely be renewed at the County Council level. The public should affirm
its support for the rural allocation if the greenbelt program is to achieve
its maximum effect.
The greenbelt board has proposed a grant process that will encourage
applicants to bring financial support from other sources for all projects.
Every dollar from the greenbelt fund is expected to leverage at least
another $4 from other sources. The county's Conservation Bank will likely
have a central role in that effort.
Each presentation will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a 40-minute review of the
program, and a hearing to follow. The meetings will be held at Johns Island
Regional Library at 3531 Maybank Highway on Monday; the Charleston Museum at
360 Meeting St. on Tuesday; the county's Public Services Building at 4045
Bridge View Drive in North Charleston on Wednesday; and Mount Pleasant
Regional Library at 1133 Mathis Ferry Road on Thursday.
The greenbelt plan deserves the public's strong support as it advances to
County Council for consideration. The conservation goals it envisions are
vitally important to the county's long-term quality of life.
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