WHEREAS, the citizens of this State have called upon their State government for greater leadership and assistance in combating the problem of litter in this State; and

WHEREAS, litter casts a blight on the natural beauty of this State and evidences a disregard for the responsibility of all citizens to preserve and protect the State’s natural resources; and

WHEREAS, there is a need to develop and implement a comprehensive approach to anti-litter efforts that takes advantage of the numerous resources of State government, as well as the resources available to business and community leaders.

NOW, THEREFORE, I hereby establish the Task Force on Litter (hereinafter referred to as "the Task Force"), that shall have duties and responsibilities that include the following:

• Encouraging anti-litter education efforts; and

• Assisting state and local law enforcement agencies in efforts to stem the flow of litter on the streets and highways; and

• Devising strategies to maximize the use of prison work crews to collect litter; and

• Facilitating the use of community-based service programs to combat litter; and

• Identifying existing governmental and private efforts to avoid the duplication of efforts and to ensure the efficient use of resources to combat litter; and

• Devising strategies to increase the recycling of litter materials; and

• Serving as a clearinghouse of information on existing and proposed litter programs; and

FURTHER, it is hereby provided that Senator David Thomas of Greenville shall serve as the Chairman of the Task Force, and that the Task Force shall have the following additional voting members:

• The Director of the Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon, or his designee; and

• The Director of the Department of Corrections, or his designee; and

• The Executive Director of the Department of Health and Environmental Control, or his designee; and

• The Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, or his designee; and

• The Executive Director of the Department of Transportation, or her designee; and

• The Executive Director of the Department of Natural Resources, or his designee; and

• The Director of the Department of Public Safety, or his designee; and

• The Secretary of Commerce, or his designee.

It is further provided that the Chairman shall have the authority to select a coordinator who shall assist the Task Force in its efforts.