The Coastal Conservation League has been working on environmental legislation at the state level since our founding in 1989, developing an impressive track record on conservation issues early on, including passage of strict standards for factory hog regulations and preventing the passage of extreme “takings” legislation.
After years of driving to and from the state capital to fight bad legislation or to support good bills, CCL staff members knew that a full-time presence in Columbia was crucial. We needed staff who could effectively address the growing number of bills (both good and bad) that deal with sprawl, energy demands, water quality, wildlife habitat and more. CCL members helped make the Columbia office a reality in 2000.
Columbia office staff members organize legislative efforts for all CCL offices and coordinate with other conservation organizations and the public when our issues are being considered by the legislature. The work our legislative staff does is intimately woven with the work we do with citizens groups up and down the coast. Citizen groups from the Pee Dee and Myrtle Beach to Beaufort and Jasper County have successfully pushed for legislation that protects our tidal creeks, marshes, water quality and wildlife habitat.
Public policy decisions that affect the entire state’s environment are made every year in Columbia. For legislators to make the right decisions, they must hear from their constituents. CCL provides the information so citizens can communicate effectively with their individual representatives in the House and Senate.
