Over several years Georgetown County made changes to tree ordinances to improve tree protection in the county and clarify the size and types of trees protected. This was a needed improvement that apparently has only managed to speed up clear cutting with a rush of newly clear cut parcels for new development.
In 2018, the ordinance was clear that ‘clear cutting’ was not allowed and only when building permits were sought, could trees be removed. So much for enforcement of this rule. Clear cutting is the norm here and nobody is getting a straight answer about why this continues to happen.
Language in the most recent and improved ordinance doesn’t seem to matter in the latest round of clear cutting until you look at the poor choice of words used in the first line of the intent. ENCOURAGE is not a strong intent.
Over 10 years ago, Georgetown County adopted tree protection ordinances and we still watch trees fall for development. The most recently improved tree ordinance won’t help protect them when enforcement is lacking and developers fail to understand that trees add to the values of the homes they are building.
Natural resources in Georgetown County are the keys to our future resilience and mature trees add value to the landscapes we have cherished for generations. In spite of public input and outcry, trees will continue to fall and decision makers need to stop sitting by and selling out our community.
The last sentence in the most recent tree protection ordinance is meaningless. Encourage is not a strong enough action. PREVENT should replace it before there is nothing left.
Excellent article, Sandra!
Me too! I just don't get it. If it falls, it falls. That's why we pay for insurance! What really gets me is the main culprits are the pastor of pic and his followers! They hate trees! Don told a friend of mine that God put trees here for him to do what he wants with. Nice