Our Waterways Need Your Help. NOW!

This is the last mile effort for one of the most important issues facing Greenville County and the Upstate, and we need your voice to protect what might well be our most valuable resource: Our waterways.

The Greenville County Council is poised for a critical vote. On Tuesday, November 7 (eek, that’s this coming Tuesday!), they will decide whether to require a minimum of 50′ riparian buffers for all new development adjacent to any “Waters of the State,” county-wide.

Refresher Course: A riparian buffer is an area of trees and other vegetation adjacent to a watercourse designed to…

decrease the intensity and frequency of flooding
intercept runoff from upland areas
mitigate the effects of nutrients, sediment, pesticides, and other pollutants
address water quality issues generally
be the most cost-effective and fiscally responsible way to protect our rivers and streams

The current regulations require a 35-ft undisturbed riparian buffer, but ONLY during construction.

CURRENTLY THOSE BUFFERS CAN BE REMOVED ONCE CONSTRUCTION IS COMPLETE.

Wait. What??????

Yup. That’s why we so desperately need the proposed 50′ riparian buffer, which would result in an undisturbed, vegetated area on both sides of each and every waterway.

And this ain’t just touchy-feely, tree-hugging, granola-crunching hippie talk. We’ve got data on our side!

First off, strengthening riparian buffers in Greenville County was a primary recommendations that emerged from the Reedy River Water Quality Group (RRWQG), a nearly ten-year effort by the County and many other partners (including Upstate Forever, HBA, and ReWa) which relied on extensive research on the efficacy of riparian buffers of varying widths.
Not only that, but they’ve got an economic impact study to back them up.
In the end, RRWGQ’s recommendation was to require 100′ riparian buffers on streams draining 50 acres or more and 50′ buffers on streams draining areas smaller than 50 acres.
To put the cherry on the sundae, an extensive study published by the University of Georgia determined that the most effective riparian buffers are at least 100 feet wide and that no buffer under 50 feet can be considered very effective.

So, yeah. WE NEED THESE BUFFERS.

And, with your help, we can ensure that County Council votes YES on Tuesday, November 7!!!

HERE’S HOW WE MAKE THAT HAPPEN:

Call (preferred—they really do listen to their constituents!)and/or email your representative on Greenville County Council. Urge their YES vote on the proposed amendment to require 50′ riparian buffers county-wide on all “Waters of the State”
Show up for the County Council meeting on Tuesday, November 7, by 6:00 pm. The County Council Chambers are located in the County Administration building closest to the parking garage at County Square, 301 University Ridge, Greenville, 29601.
Wear BLUE at the November 7 County Council meeting.Join the SCNPS, Upstate Forever, and our partners to create a visual show of support for riparian buffers! It’ll be a party — we hope to see you there!

If you can’t make it in person (or, heck: Do both!), here’s the contact info for the County Council. (If you’re not sure which one is yours, click HERE and enter your address to find out.)

Dan Tripp (County Council Chairman): 864.915.9212, DTripp@greenvillecounty.org

Liz Seman (County Council Vice-Chair): 864.501.4126, LSeman@greenvillecounty.org

Michael Barnes: 864.877.9457, MBarnes@greenvillecounty.org

Benton Blount: 864.483.2474, BBlount@greenvillecounty.org

Rick Bradley: 864.483.3090, RBradley@greenvillecounty.org

Ennis Fant: 864.467.2787, EFant@greenvillecounty.org

Chris Harrison: 864.467.4917, CHarrison@greenville.org

Butch Kirven: 864.228.9300, BKirven@greenvillecounty.org

Alan Mitchell: 864.483.6952, AMitchell@greenvillecounty.org

Joey Russo: 864.483.0689, JRusso@greenvillecounty.org

Steve Shaw: 864.553.9713, SShaw@greenvillecounty.org

Stan Tzouvelekas: 864.467.4958, stantz@greenvillecounty.org