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Dear friend,
Last week, I was thrilled to welcome both new and familiar faces at the 12th Annual Wild Side. The energy was inspiring and motivating, and Your Lawyers for the Wild Side remain 100% committed to fighting off egregiously harmful projects where our courtroom advocacy is the only thing standing in the way.
And yet, as you'll read in this newsletter, the threats are relentless. At Wild Side, I mentioned that in order to achieve SCELP's mission of protecting our land, water and communities, we must take even bolder action.
I am excited to announce that we are already making strides in this direction. First, our own Lauren Megill Milton will launch our new Columbia office to tackle the mounting environmental pressures in the Midlands. Second, because of people like you who recognize the importance of this work, we secured the funds to open a position for a new staff attorney.
As a SCELP supporter, you are a crucial part of our mission and I thank you for everything you make possible. (And please forward this email if you know a good lawyer who wants to fight for the Wild Side!)
With gratitude,
Amy E. Armstrong
Last week, on behalf of Friends of Gadsden Creek, we filed a lawsuit against DHEC’s authorization to fill and destroy Gadsden Creek—one of the last tidal creeks on the Charleston peninsula—for a mixed-use development. “We are alarmed that the state agency charged with safeguarding our precious coastal tidelands issued a permit that allows for the complete destruction of a tidal creek so that slightly larger hotels, condos and office buildings can be built,” said staff attorney Ben Cunningham. The development is a threat not only to the only tideland that remains for a longstanding African American community that once used the surrounding marshes for a variety of purposes, but to the continued existence of the community itself. Learn more ...
We are celebrating with Daufuskie Islanders and the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition after thwarting a proposed 3.9-acre sand mine sited in the center of the island and near historically and culturally important Gullah/Geechee buildings and landmarks. Staff attorney Leslie Lenhardt fought on behalf of the parties and is pleased with the outcome. “The project would not have served the interests of the community; in fact, it would have resulted in significant damage to the island’s historic and cultural resources,” she said. Read more ...
Over the past year, SCELP and the Blue Ridge Environmental Defense League have fought Dominion Energy's plans for the River Neck to Kingsburg 16-inch Gas Main in Florence County. Among our many concerns, construction of the 14.5-mile Pamplico Pipeline will impact 32 wetland areas, cross six named tributaries of the Great Pee Dee River and will use eminent domain to take land—including heirs property and lands held by families for generations. Now, we need your help to speak for Florence County. DHEC will hold a virtual public hearing/teleconference on October 14 at 6:30 p.m. to receive your comments and concerns about the massive pipeline. Register here to participate. Learn more ...
On October 2nd, more than 200 supporters joined us at Georgetown's Kaminski House to celebrate the 12th Annual Wild Side. Under the banner of Wildly Resilient, we celebrated SCELP's successes and the work ahead in protecting South Carolina's lands, waters and communities. The SCELP team thanks the many businesses, organizations, volunteers, friends and family who made this year's Wild Side possible and more successful year after year. We can't wait to see you next year!
See more photos of Wild Side
