County governments, in particular, are poised to develop and enact new ordinances on natural resources and land use. Land use planning is the process of envisioning the desired future landscape, and enacting local policies to encourage or discourage land use practices to meet that goal. Good planning should recognize forestry as a desired land use, and restrict abuse of forest land. Active management of forests and related resources can keep land healthy for present and future generations and increase the economic and environmental benefits of those lands. However, ordinances intended to protect forest resources can sometimes have the opposite effect.
Local ordinances effecting forest management can have wide-ranging consequences.
The South Carolina Forestry Association can provide expert assistance on forestry issues, resource assessment, and policy decisions that effect forest resources and private landowners. Provide incentives to maintain land in forest use 2. Infrastructure planning and development standards may have significant impacts on forest resources 4. Offer forestry, water quality, and aesthetic conservation easements 5. Target unique sites and sensitive areas for acquisition 6.