The late state Senator Clementa Pinckney recognized the natural beauty of his native county, when he once said, “Jasper County quietly boasts enchanting coastal plains filled with spreading moss-covered live oaks, supple palmettos and stately pines.”
Jasper County Council made it clear those natural resources are not to be taken for granted by enacting a temporary 9-month moratorium on certain development in an area known as the Euhaw Broad River Planning Area. The League commends the Jasper County Council for taking action to strengthen and update its protections for rural lands during this 9-month moratorium period.
The ordinance, adopted by Jasper County Council officially at their June 20th meeting, notes concerns related to the impacts of new subdivisions, commercial, and residential development in greenfield areas. This can overburden infrastructure and evacuation routes, increase stormwater runoff, and result in the loss of open space. This newly established planning area encompasses the Hwy. 170 corridor to the municipal boundaries of Hardeeville on Hwy. 170, and extends northward along Hwy. 462 to Coosawhatchie.
The push to preserve and protect this gem of Jasper County was championed by a grassroots community group known as Keep Chelsea Rural in concert with a landowner group, the Broad River Task Force. The Conservation League has worked alongside the Keep Chelsea Rural group since the early 2000’s. We look forward to continuing this partnership with the shared goal of protecting and preserving Jasper County’s Rural and Cultural land from uncontrolled overdevelopment.