2020 Forest Action Plan Development Military Installations in South Carolina
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1 2 A MESSAGE FROM THE STATE FORESTER South Carolina is blessed with a rich diversity of forest resources. Comprising approximately 12.9 million acres, these forests range from hardwood coves in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains to maritime forests along the Atlantic Coast. Along with this diversity come myriad benefits that these forests provide as well as a range of challenges that threaten their function and existence. One of the most tangible benefits is the economic impact of forestry, contributing over $21 billion to the state’s economy and providing nearly 100,000 jobs. South Carolina’s forests also provide recreational opportunities for her citizens, diverse habitat for numerous wildlife species, and scenic beauty for all to enjoy. In addition, trees sequester carbon, provide for clean air and water, contribute to the health of our citizens, and mitigate the impacts of flooding and stormwater. The state’s forests also face many challenges. Some of these are biological, such as attacks by insects and diseases, while others are weather-related, such as drought and storms. Scott Phillips, State Forester Still other perils are due to human activity, the most notable of which are wildfires and conversion of forestland to other uses. The 2020 South Carolina Forest Action Plan is a major update of the 2010 Statewide Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy, which was used to identify and quantify the issues affecting our state’s forests – and to focus Commission capacity on the most important tasks. A significant accomplishment with this update is the simultaneous revision of this Forest Action Plan with the Forestry Commission’s Strategic Plan so that these documents are truly integrated and align our actions to drive us toward our vision for South Carolina. The updating process engaged a full range of resource management experts and forestry-related organizations, working together to re-examine these issues and develop strategies for the present and future. This collaborative partner-based approach will be crucial as the SC Forestry Commission moves further into the 21st century and embraces the challenges that lie ahead. We invite you on this journey and to work with us to ensure that our forests continue providing the economic, environmental and social benefits that are critical to our quality of life. Best regards, Scott Phillips State Forester South Carolina Forestry Commission 2 3 TABLE OF CONTENTS List of Figures ..........................................................................................................................................................................5 List of Priority Maps ................................................................................................................................................................5 Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................................................................................6 Executive Summary .................................................................................................................................................................8 Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................10 Descriptions of issues Overarching Issues ..............................................................................................................................................................14 Population Growth..............................................................................................................................................................14 Public Perceptions about Forestry .......................................................................................................................................16 Climate Change ..................................................................................................................................................................18 Conserving South Carolina’s Working Forests ................................................................................................................24 Forest Area ..........................................................................................................................................................................24 Forest Ownership ................................................................................................................................................................24 Fragmentation and Parcelization ........................................................................................................................................26 Timber Supply ....................................................................................................................................................................27 Forestry Regulations ............................................................................................................................................................28 Prescribed Fire ....................................................................................................................................................................29 Critical Habitats for Species and Diversity .........................................................................................................................32 Protecting South Carolina’s Forests From Harm ...........................................................................................................36 Wildfire Risk .......................................................................................................................................................................36 Threats to Forest Health .....................................................................................................................................................38 Enhancing the Benefits of South Carolina’s Trees and Forests ....................................................................................50 Economic Impact ................................................................................................................................................................50 Water Quality and Quantity ...............................................................................................................................................52 Source Water Protection .....................................................................................................................................................56 Air Quality ..........................................................................................................................................................................58 Urban and Community Forests in South Carolina.............................................................................................................61 Human Benefits of Trees and Forests .................................................................................................................................63 Stormwater Management ...................................................................................................................................................67 Strategies Introduction ...........................................................................................................................................................................72 Overarching Issues .................................................................................................................................................................72 Strategy Matrix ......................................................................................................................................................................76 Conserving South Carolina’s Working Forests .......................................................................................................................82 Protecting South Carolina’s Forests from Harm ....................................................................................................................82 Enhancing the Benefits of South Carolina’s Trees and Forests .............................................................................................83 SC Forestry Commission Programs .......................................................................................................................................83 Appendices Appendix 1 – Development of Priority Areas .......................................................................................................................90 Appendix 2 – Development of Priority Areas for South Carolina’s Forest Stewardship Program ......................................103 Appendix 3 – Priority Area Maps ........................................................................................................................................104 Appendix 4 – Multi-State Issues ..........................................................................................................................................109 4 Appendix 5 – Stakeholders .................................................................................................................................................110 Appendix 6 – Forest Legacy Assessment of Need ...............................................................................................................111