Mercado: Wetlands conservation is vital

January 23, 2025
COASTAL OBSERVER

To the editor,

My thanks to S.C. Law Environmental Law Project Executive Director Amy Armstrong for her recent letter (Jan. 16) about the importance of a Georgetown County wetlands protection and conservation ordinance. Last year, County Council passed the natural resources and resilience elements of our county's comprehensive plan that set as goals the protection of natural resources and keeping the proper functioning of wetlands, watersheds, and flood plains. Georgetown County comprises a little over 876 square miles which is about 558,464 acres of which approximately 250,000 acres is wetlands.

Wetlands, including the salt marshes of Murrells Inlet and Pawleys Island, are what make the county and the Waccamaw Neck unique and enhance our quality of life. Forty-four percent of our county is wetlands and they are important to protect and conserve. The Georgetown Outdoor Adventure Trails (GOAT) program posted on the county website is a wonderful way to explore and learn about our wetlands across the entire county.

As our natural resources element descibes, wetlands provide flood control and mitigation, storm and erosion protection, pollution control and filtration, wildlife habitat, and recreation and tourism opportunities. These vital functions benefit all county citizens and must be protected. Both elements called for adopting a county wetlands protection ordinance and adding wetland buffers to development restrictions as protections for these important natural resources. I appreciate Amy’s hard work and diligence on this important issue and look forward to working with her and other community stakeholders on ordinances that will protect and conserve our precious natural resources.

Stella Mercado
Willbrook

The writer represents County Council District 6.