Action Alert – Protect Conway’s Conservation Areas
ACTION ALERT
Protect Conway’s Conservation Areas in the Waccamaw River Watershed
CONWAY CITY COUNCIL MEETING
MONDAY JUNE 1st at 4:00 pm
CITY OF CONWAY PUBLIC SAFETY BUILDING
1600 NINTH AVENUE IN CONWAY
Due to concerns over COVID-19, the City of Conway Council Meeting will be held in an alternate location with special procedures in place.
Six members of the public will be given access to the meeting at a time for specific agenda items. Speakers will have to wait outside until the specific item is being heard. Wearing a mask, once in the meeting room, is up to the individual. Masks will NOT be provided.
Sign On!
Sign on to the comments by South Carolina Coastal Conservation League, Winyah Rivers Alliance, and other concerned conservation organizations on behalf of the Waccamaw and the people who rely on our River for fishable, swimmable, drinkable water.
If you would like to speak at the meeting on Monday, please contact Barbara Tessier before noon on June 1st. Speakers will be given 5 minutes to address the Council.
Comments – in lieu of speaking at the meeting – can also be sent to Barbara Tessier via phone or email. Be sure to include your name and address when contacting her.
Call or email the members of Conway City Council directly and ask them to vote against the rezoning of the parcel on Depot Road for mining! Urge them to protect the natural processes of our swamps and keep the parcel intact for conservation!
While we cannot show up at the meeting to show our opposition en masse, we can still tune in to the meeting virtually. The meeting will be streamed live but will NOT be interactive.
Contact your Waccamaw Riverkeeper, Cara Schildtknecht, with any questions! Email Riverkeeper@winyahrivers.org or call (843) 349-4007.
Public Hearing for Proposed Mine
On Monday June 1st, Conway City Council will have first reading and a public hearing for a request to rezone approximately 151 acres of property located between Highway 501 Business and Depot Road (PIN 367-00-00-0011) from Forest Agriculture (FA) to Mineral Mining Flexible District (MM).
In 2017, we were able to convince City Council to deny the request with your help! We are asking for your help once more to remind Conway that we do not want a mine in close proximity to the Waccamaw River, Waccamaw River Park, and the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge AND in an area identified as Conservation Preservation for future land use by the City. These unique conserved areas are integral for protecting clean water and protecting our communities from increased flooding.
What Mining Could Mean for the Waccamaw
Despite claims that this mine would provide needed flood mitigation for Conway and its Rivertown citizens, this mine poses a serious threat to water quality, already flood-prone areas, and the natural beauty of Conway. Mining has been responsible for water quality issues in our area leading to increased turbidity, increased stormwater runoff, increased bacteria concentrations, and poor water quality.
The parcel on Depot Road contains wetlands that are important for wildlife habitat, clean water protection, and flood mitigation. The area has been identified as Conservation Preservation in the City of Conway’s future land use plan and identified as a potential parcel for future addition to the Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge. Though already clear cut, the land can revive if further damage can be prevented. There are other options for this parcel that are better for Conway, better for protecting the Waccamaw, and better for all the citizens who love our Rivertown and our Waccamaw River.
How You Can Prevent Mining in Our Swamps
The Waccamaw RIVERKEEPER® needs your help to convince the Conway City Council to deny the rezoning on Depot Road. Sign On and Speak Up before June 1st!
