COLUMBIA--The South Carolina Wildlife Federation wants legislators to avoid raiding cleanup funds and other environmental protection accounts to deal with the state's budget crisis.

The conservation group made its plea this week after House budget writers proposed taking about $16 million from environmental funds for the fiscal year that begins July 1. Legislators took $53.4 million to help balance the current budget.

"It is vital for state lawmakers to keep their promises to South Carolinians and use moneys held in trust for conservation for those purposes, not to balance the general fund," said Andy Brack, federation president.