Department of Natural Resources

JUNE 12, 2012:  Alvin Taylor, Director of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources was our speaker. He started his presentation with praise for Chaplain Bob Dewey for all that he does when families face a crisis that falls under the jurisdiction of DNR.

Historically the “department” was started 100 years ago by a group of law enforcement officers and it grew in stages: Law enforcement with respect to game and fishing; Management of wild life; Overseeing the operation of boating in the state; Adding a marine resources division to including fishing on the ocean areas; Finally becoming the DNR.

THE MISSION of the DNR is to protect the natural resources of the state for the enjoyment of the people and preserve those resources for future generations. Currently the department employees 900 persons. The state’s natural resources provide a wilderness solace for people, who otherwise are a part of a busy society, to “get away from it all”. Among the things people most enjoy are fishing, hunting, boating and hiking and these pursuits are the recreation activities in which most people want to participate. As such, this recreation has a huge economic impact on the state to the tune of 30 billion dollars per year.

The marine center at Fort Johnson is involved in many oceanic studies including oyster farming and the establishment of a GPS system to enable boaters and fisherman alike to retain to a precise spot day after day. They also study the effect on marine left felt by vanishing species.

The most important element in the entire DNR program is WATER. He cited the problems currently taking place in Georgia as attempts are made to provide a sufficient amount of water for the Atlanta Metropolitan area. The future of the nation is greatly dependent upon water availability and currently South Carolina is a leader in abundant water. The use of boating in our state is number 8 in the nation. Therefore, the DNR is heavily involved in boating safety and the control of alcohol usage by boaters. There are currently 450,000 registered boats in the state with engines.

Fishing is a sport that anyone can learn and participate in, even without the ownership of a boat. Therefore, the DNR is heavily involved in teaching persons about fishing, just as they teach about the sport of hunting. The DNR today is a far cry from being a “Game Warden”.

Submitted by Fred Sales, Keyway Committee