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August 24, 2007

DNR honors Senator Hugh Leatherman

During a groundbreaking ceremony for a new S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR)regional office building in Florence, DNR presented Senator Hugh K Leatherman, Sr. (R-Dist. 31) with an Honorary Game Warden award for leading the Senate Finance Committee through passage of the last three annual DNR budgets. The award was presented as DNR and Senator Leatherman announced plans for a new DNR facility in the Florence area, on the campus of Francis Marion University.

"The last three state budgets enabled DNR to hire more law enforcement officers for the Pee DeeSen. Hugh Leatherman region and I am honored to receive this award," said Senator Leatherman who resides in Florence. "Approximately 50 DNR officers will be supervised through staff assigned to the new Florence facility, once complete. These officers, along with the new headquarters, will improve DNR services in the Florence area,"

The facility will provide services for hunting and fishing license purchase and renewal, hunting and fishing permits, boat registration renewal, duplicate watercraft decals and duplicate outboard motor decals. The last three state budgets provided DNR the financial resources to hire 21 additional natural resources enforcement officers in the Pee Dee Region, with three more slated for hire in the fall. DNR started consolidating offices into four regions in 2003 to streamline operations. The three regions include Region 1 in Clemson, Region 2 in Florence, Region 3 in Columbia and Region 4 in Charleston.

"The consolidation allows us to provide more user-friendly services to South Carolinians and improves our internal communication. We are now saving a considerable amount of money in facilities management, utility bills and employee salaries," said DNR Director John Frampton.

DNR staff from three agency divisions, Law Enforcement; Land, Water and Conservation; and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, will be assigned to the 8,300 square-foot Florence facility serving York, Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Kershaw, Lee, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion and Williamsburg counties.

Liollio Architecture of Charleston designed the facility and plans will be submitted to the Office of State Engineer by late September for approval. The bidding process for the project is expected to begin late October with construction underway by early 2008. Completion of the $1.5 million project is expected in the Fall of 2008, using a combination of bond referendum, state and federal funds.

DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.

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