Congratulations to Jasper County for passing a referendum that establishes its first local conservation fund. The special sales and use tax will raise $94 million to protect land and water and $376 million to fix existing roads over the next 15 years.
The majority “Yes” vote (55%) marks a huge step toward ensuring access to clean water and safe roads for all who call Jasper County home. With mounting growth pressure in the region, we know that money to support conservation projects is needed more than ever. Critically, voters also approved $150 million in general obligation bonds, enabling the county to begin repairing roads and protecting land sooner rather than later.
Further, the new local fund gives Jasper County the ability to tap into additional conservation dollars from state and federal agencies such as the South Carolina Conservation Bank, SC Office of Resilience, the Department of Defense, and more. Securing matching dollars from these resources will help make sure the money is spent responsibly.
The Conservation League and our partners, including Conservation Voters of South Carolina, Lowcountry Land Trust, Open Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, and the Trust for Public Land, will continue our work by providing guidance and technical assistance to Jasper County while the new program is created.
We are thankful to Jasper County voters for recognizing the merits of conservation and approving this crucial referendum. Jasper County can and should be proud of its scenic rivers and woodlands, including the Port Royal Sound, the Savannah River, and beyond.
The late State Senator Clementa Pinckney once said, “Jasper County quietly boasts enchanting coastal plains filled with spreading moss-covered live oaks, supple palmettos and stately pines.”
We are thrilled that Jasper County is now equipped with tools to protect this special place and the people and wildlife that call Jasper home.