(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

COMMITTEE REPORT

April 9, 2019

H. 4145

Introduced by Reps. Hewitt, Davis, Sottile and Kirby

S. Printed 4/9/19--H.

Read the first time February 28, 2019.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON

INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4145) to memorialize the United States Forestry Service and urge them to take steps to protect wild turkey nests in South Carolina prior to conducting a controlled burn in South Carolina forests, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

JIMMY C. BALES for Committee.

            

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO MEMORIALIZE THE UNITED STATES FORESTRY SERVICE AND URGE THEM TO TAKE STEPS TO PROTECT WILD TURKEY NESTS IN SOUTH CAROLINA PRIOR TO CONDUCTING A CONTROLLED BURN IN SOUTH CAROLINA FORESTS.

Whereas, wild turkey is the state's second most popular game animal. Unfortunately, the population has plummeted in certain areas of the state based on results from the report of the SC Department of Natural Resources dated November 1 2018; and

Whereas, federal forest managers use controlled blazes to clear out brush to improve wildlife habitats, prevent uncontrollable catastrophic forest fires, and open up the forest for new plant growth; and

Whereas, while these practices improve the habitats for forest animals, they do pose a significant risk to birds nesting in the lowlands of these forests; and

Whereas, it is critical for the preservation of wild turkeys to balance these important forest management activities with protecting the current population in order to allow the wild turkey population to rebound to ensure that future South Carolinians will have the same opportunities to enjoy our state's natural resources as their ancestors. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives, the Senate concurring:

That the members of the General Assembly, by this resolution, memorialize the United States Forestry Service and urge them to take steps to protect wild turkey nests in South Carolina prior to conducting a controlled burn in South Carolina forests.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Vicki Christiansen, Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Service.