SCDNR's Major Accomplishments 2000-2010

Consolidation

Consolidated: The land and water protection programs to create the new Habitat Protection Section to more effectively identify and coordinate the purchase of outstanding resource properties; SCDNR field offices statewide into four Regional Hub Offices, closing 18 offices in 16 counties across the state; the Administrative Services Division and the Conservation Education and Communication Division into one new division, the Office of Support Services; and all cell phones into an agency wide minute-share plan, resulting in increased efficiency and effectiveness, creating greater staff accessibility and cutting cost.

Quality of Life & Habitat Protection

Canoeing on the river The SCDNR has provided quality public outdoor recreation opportunities on more than 1 million acres of land in the Wildlife Management Area (WMA) program. Special hunting opportunities for over 1,100 youth and over 150 mobility impaired sportsmen were also provided.

Since January 2003, SCDNR acquired title to 88,772 acres and protected an additional 6,483 acres with conservation easements that are held by SCDNR yielding a total SCDNR protected acreage of 95,255. Key tracts in this effort include the 10,700-acre Bonneau Ferry tract in Berkeley County, the 25,668-acre Woodbury tract in Marion County, the 13,281- acre Hamilton Ridge tract in Hampton County, and the 4,664-acre Belfast tract in Laurens and Newberry Counties. In addition, SCDNR worked on two protection efforts that were titled to the SC Forestry Commission (SCFC). (The 12,439-acre Wee Tee tract in Williamsburg County and the 3,270-acre Tuomey tract in Sumter county.)

Natural Resource Protection

The SCDNR extensively revised the law enforcement officer reporting systems, eliminating duplicative efforts to record and capture data, thus maximizing manpower toward work activities. Cooperative efforts were undertaken with the SC Department of Public Safety on BUI and DUI enforcement by initiating a new campaign titled the "100 Deadliest Days of Summer." Stepped up enforcement efforts beginning on Memorial Day and running throughout the summer were the focus of this successful campaign. The SCDNR also upgraded and modernized its radio and dispatch system. Additionally, SCDNR streamlined watercraft procurements by establishing state contracts with in-state boat manufacturers

Customer Input

Successfully implemented a stakeholder process to acquire public input, build public support, develop legislative recommendations, and implement regulation changes to protect and enhance the state's natural resources. This approach has led to the successful passage of comprehensive, complex and contentious legislation. Examples: Striped Bass Limits in the Santee Cooper System, Hunting Dog with Deer Penalties, and Part 1 of the Chapter 13 rewrite of the state’s fisheries laws.

Technology & Customer Service

SCDNR developed an online database housed on the SCDNR's website which allows the public to view lands available in South Carolina for fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, hiking, and for other outdoor activities. (This online database can be queried by public land location, outdoor activities available, hours of operation, boat ramps availability, etc.)

As of June of 2009, SCDNR required all Manual License Sales agents to convert to the Point of Sale (POS) system. The Agency currently has 517 POS License Sales agents statewide. The conversion to POS compliments the online license sales ability also created during this period.