Statewide Forest Resource Strategy
Enhancing the Benefits of South Carolina’s
Trees and Forests
Water Quality and Quantity
Surface water that is free from pollutants and sediment and provides habitat requirements for wildlife is considered to be of high quality. Forestry operations generally have little detrimental effect on water quality. Nevertheless, the South Carolina Forestry Commission, cooperating with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control, aggressively promotes adherence to Best Management Practices. South Carolina has an abundant supply of freshwater, but is not immune to water quantity issues as evidenced by recent legal action involving neighboring states.
Stormwater Management
Impervious surfaces such as roads, roofs, driveways, streets, and parking lots increase not only stormwater volume, but also the rate of flow. Maintenance and expansion of urban canopy cover is an effective tool that can be used to reduce the impacts of stormwater runoff.
Air Quality
South Carolina’s forests play a major role in filtering the air of pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter. In addition, trees sequester carbon dioxide and emit oxygen through the process of photosynthesis.
Community Forests in South Carolina
Trees are major capital assets in communities. The quantity, placement and size of trees in populated places can positively impact and provide millions of dollars in savings regarding energy conservation, air filtration, stormwater runoff mitigation, and carbon dioxide sequestration.
Goal: Enhance the environmental and public benefits of South Carolina’s trees and forests such as water quality and quantity, stormwater management, air quality, and community forest benefits.
Objective 4.1: Enhance water quality protection by increasing awareness and compliance with South Carolina Best Management Practices for Forestry (BMPs). |
Performance Measures: Desired outcome is increased awareness and compliance with BMPs as shown by training participation, courtesy exam requests, requests for assistance, and continued high level of compliance as evidenced by monitoring. |
Resources Needed: Adequate staffing to carry out program implementation, funding for aerial detection, and funding for field equipment. |
Strategy 4.1.1: Improve delivery of pre-harvest planning and BMP recommendations through the Courtesy Exam Program to protect water quality and site productivity during forestry operations. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.2 |
Water Quality |
Conservation Organizations |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
3.1, 3.4 |
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Professional Organizations |
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Strategy 4.1.2: Provide classroom and field BMP training for forestry contractors, private landowners, industry, SCFC employees, and other agencies through the Timber Operations Professional (TOP) training program, in cooperation with industry and through SCFC workshops. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.2 |
Water Quality |
Forest Industry |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
3.1, 3.4 |
Training & Safety |
SC Forestry Association |
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Contractors |
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Forest Landowners |
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TIMOs and REITs |
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Strategy 4.1.3: Encourage contractors to include BMP compliance statements in their contracts. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.2 |
Water Quality |
Contractors |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
3.1, 3.4 |
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Strategy 4.1.4: Work with SC Forestry Association, Association of Consulting Foresters, Clemson University, SC Department of Health and Environmental Control, SC Timber Producers Association, county landowners associations, and other organizations to encourage landowners, loggers, foresters, and contractors to request courtesy BMP examinations. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.2 |
Water Quality |
SC Forestry Association |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
3.1, 3.4 |
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Professional Organizations |
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Clemson University |
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SC DHEC |
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Forest Landowners |
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SC Timber Producers Association |
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Strategy 4.1.5: Continue BMP monitoring to document success and provide opportunities for education of landowners, loggers, and forestry professionals. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.2 |
Water Quality |
SC Forestry Association |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
3.1, 3.4 |
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Contractors |
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Professional Organizations |
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Forest Landowners |
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Strategy 4.1.6: Respond to BMP complaints and provide technical expertise to appropriate enforcement agencies. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.2 |
Water Quality |
SC DHEC |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
3.1, 3.4 |
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Army Corps of Engineers |
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Strategy 4.1.7: Periodically review Best Management Practices (BMP) guidelines and update as needed to better protect water quality. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.2 |
Water Quality |
Professional Organizations |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
3.1, 3.4 |
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SC DHEC |
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Army Corps of Engineers |
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Strategy 4.1.8: Update cooperative agreements with state and federal regulatory agencies, forest industry, and private organizations to protect environmental functions. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
2.2 |
Water Quality |
SC DHEC |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7 |
3.1, 3.2 |
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Army Corps of Engineers |
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Forest Industry |
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TIMOs and REITs |
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Conservation Organizations |
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Strategy 4.1.9: Provide pre-harvest planning and technical assistance to forest landowners and forestry professionals on implementation of BMPs. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.1 |
Water Quality |
SC DHEC |
Water Quality & Quantity |
EB 1, 2, 3, 4 |
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Forest Management |
SC Forestry Association |
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OA 6, 7 |
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Forest Stewardship |
Clemson Extension Service |
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Objective 4.2: Provide technical, educational, and financial assistance in community forestry to local governments and organized groups living and working within established, developing, and populated areas. |
Performance Measures: Desired outcome is a sustained capacity for communities of place and communities of people to actively manage and care for trees and associated vegetation as measured by professional staff, tree/natural resource inventory information and management plans, skilled and knowledgeable workers, recurring funding, tree management and conservation policies, and advocacy groups. |
Resources Needed: Adequate and qualified staffing to provide state-wide assistance, funding for cost-share grant programs, and logistical and administrative support to implement program components. |
Strategy 4.2.1: Meet with local government personnel, advocacy groups, professional organizations and natural resource associations to provide technical assistance in the development and management of sustainable community tree/forest programs. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.4, 3.6, 3.7 |
Community Forestry |
Local Governments |
Community Forestry |
OA 4, 6 |
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Forest Health |
SC U&CF Council |
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CWF 2, 9,10 |
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Councils of Government |
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EB 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
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Professional Organizations |
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Natural Resource Associations |
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Strategy 4.2.2: Develop and/or acquire tools to facilitate technical, educational and financial assists and services. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.4, 3.6, 3.7 |
Community Forestry |
Local Governments |
Community Forestry |
OA 4, 6 |
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Information & Education |
SC U&CF Council |
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CWF 2, 9,10 |
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Councils of Government |
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EB 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 |
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Professional Organizations |
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Natural Resource Associations |
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Strategy 4.2.3: Administer the community forestry cost-share grant program as available and provide information on other available sources of grants and funding to assist in the development and management of sustainable community tree/forest programs. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.4, 3.6, 3.7 |
Community Forestry |
Local Governments |
Community Forestry |
OA 4, 6 |
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Information & Education |
SC U&CF Council |
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CWF 2, 9,10 |
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Councils of Government |
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EB 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
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Professional Organizations |
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Natural Resource Associations |
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Strategy 4.2.4: Conduct on-site programs, provide literature and website information, and work through partners to sponsor / present information regarding arboriculture, community forestry issues, and the value of ecosystem services and environmental benefits of trees to targeted audiences. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.4, 3.6, 3.7 |
Community Forestry |
Local Governments |
Community Forestry |
OA 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 |
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Information & Education |
SC U&CF Council |
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CWF 1, 2, 6, 9,10 |
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Councils of Government |
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EB 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
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Professional Organizations |
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Natural Resource Associations |
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Strategy 4.2.5: Work with local, regional, and state partners on issues where trees and forests can help address common objectives such as energy conservation, green infrastructure implementation, storm planning and mitigation, economic development, air quality, and stormwater management. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.4, 3.6, 3.7 |
Community Forestry |
Local Governments |
Community Forestry |
OA 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 12 |
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State Forests |
SC U&CF Council |
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CWF 1, 2, 4, 6, 9,10 |
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Forest Management |
Councils of Government |
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EB 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
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Forest Stewardship |
Professional Organizations |
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PF 2, 3 |
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Natural Resource Associations |
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Strategy 4.2.6: Offer expertise to other SC Forestry Commission program areas and support opportunities for professional development and technical skill enhancement of agency foresters regarding arboriculture and/or community forestry issues and involve them in local forestry issues within their assigned areas. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.4, 3.6, 3.7 |
Community Forestry |
Local Governments |
Community Forestry |
OA 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 |
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State Forests |
SC U&CF Council |
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CWF 1, 2, 6, 9,10 |
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Forest Management |
Councils of Government |
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EB 1, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 |
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Forest Stewardship |
Professional Organizations |
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Natural Resource Associations |
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Objective 4.3: Enhance air quality by actively managing smoke from prescribed burns and wildfires and by maintaining a healthy forest cover that increases air filtration, temperature reduction, and energy efficiency. |
Performance Measures: Desired outcome is a reduction in the number of smoke-related complaints, increased participation in the SC Forestry Commission's burning notification program, increased amount of acres prescribed burned, and participation in reforestation and urban tree programs. |
Resources Needed: Funding for community forestry program grants, adequate staffing in applicable SCFC program areas, MOU's and viable working relationships with DHEC and other organizations, and logistical and administrative support. |
Strategy 4.3.1: Continue to monitor and research smoke management guidelines to maintain air quality standards. (duplicate of 3.5.2) |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.1, 1.2 |
Fire Management |
SC DHEC |
Wildfire Risk |
OA 6,7 |
2.1, 2.2 |
Information Technology |
USDA Forest Service |
Conserve Working Forests |
EB 8 |
3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7 |
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Clemson University |
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CWF 9,10 |
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US Fish and Wildlife Service |
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PF 1,2,3,4,5,10,11 |
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Department of Defense |
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Strategy 4.3.2: Include air quality measures from other agencies into SC Forestry Commission burn advisories. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
3.2, 3.6, 3.7 |
Fire Management |
SC DHEC |
Wildfire Risk |
EB 8 |
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Information Technology |
USDA Forest Service |
Conserve Working Forests |
CWF 9,10 |
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PF 1,2,3,4,5,10 |
Strategy 4.3.3: Promote prescribed burning and fuel load reduction to reduce potential air quality impacts from wildfires. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.1, 1.2 |
Fire Management |
SC DHEC |
Wildfire Risk |
OA 6,7 |
2.1, 2.2 |
Forest Management |
USDA Forest Service |
Conserve Working Forests |
EB 8 |
3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7 |
Information & Education |
SC Prescribed Fire Council |
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CWF 9,10 |
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Forest Stewardship |
SC Forestry Association |
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PF 1,2,3,4,5,10 |
Strategy 4.3.4: Promote healthy forest cover to increase air filtration, temperature reduction, and energy efficiency. |
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National Objectives Supported |
SCFC Program Areas |
Stakeholders |
Priority Areas |
Key Findings Supported |
1.1, 1.2 |
Forest Management |
SC Forestry Association |
Conserve Working Forests |
OA 7, 10, 12 |
2.2 |
Community Forestry |
Clemson Extension Service |
Community Forestry |
CWF 2, 3, 4, 8 |
3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7 |
Information & Education |
USDA Forest Service |
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PF 3 |
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Forest Stewardship |
SC U&CF Council |
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EB 6, 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 |