Bill 4991

                    Current Status

Bill Number:                       4991
Type of Legislation:               Concurrent Resolution CR
Introducing Body:                  House
Introduced Date:                   19960502
Primary Sponsor:                   Cain
All Sponsors:                      Cain and Cromer 
Drafted Document Number:           jic\5975sd.96
Date Bill Passed both Bodies:      19960522
Subject:                           Mineral prospecting operations
                                   in upper Chauga River

Body    Date      Action Description                       Com     Leg Involved
______  ________  _______________________________________  _______ ____________

House   19960522  Received from Senate
Senate  19960522  Adopted, returned to House
                  with concurrence
Senate  19960521  Recalled from Committee,                 01 SANR
                  placed on the Calendar
Senate  19960509  Introduced, referred to Committee        01 SANR
House   19960509  Adopted, sent to Senate
House   19960508  Committee report: Favorable              24 HIMR
House   19960502  Introduced, referred to Committee        24 HIMR

COMMITTEE REPORT

May 8, 1996

H. 4991

S. Printed 5/8/96--H.

Read the first time May 2, 1996.

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (H. 4991), to memorialize the United States Forest Service to deny a permit application, etc., respectfully

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

RICHARD M. QUINN, JR., for Committee.

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

TO MEMORIALIZE THE UNITED STATES FOREST SERVICE TO DENY A PERMIT APPLICATION TO CONDUCT MINERAL PROSPECTING OPERATIONS ON PUBLIC LANDS IN THE UPPER CHAUGA RIVER WATERSHED.

Whereas, the City of Westminster and much of its surrounding rural areas in Oconee County obtain drinking water from the Chauga River; and

Whereas, the quality of the water supply is dependent upon the condition of public and private lands in the Chauga River watershed upstream of the collection point; and

Whereas, the water supply has been negatively impacted by upstream activities in the recent past; and

Whereas, the United States Forest Service is considering an application for a permit to conduct mineral prospecting in the Chauga River watershed; and

Whereas, it is very likely that mineral prospecting will lead to an application for a permit to operate a commercial mine on public lands in the upper Chauga River watershed; and

Whereas, the type of commercial activity which could occur is very likely to involve strip mining of large areas of the upper Chauga River watershed and the use of toxic materials to process the ore; and

Whereas, due to the steep terrain, erodable soils, and high rainfall, the probability of catastrophic failure of containment structures is very high; and

Whereas, the members of the General Assembly of South Carolina believe that such an endeavor would adversely affect the health and welfare of the people of Westminster and Oconee County, and consequently is not in the best interests of this State or our Nation. 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 Forest Service to deny a permit application to conduct mineral prospecting operations on public lands in the upper Chauga River watershed.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the United States Forest Service.