DNR Media Contacts:
Columbia - Brett Witt (803) 667-0696
Clemson - Greg Lucas (864) 654-1671, ext.22
Charleston - Erin Weeks (843) 953-9845
Spokesman - Mike Willis (803) 734-4133
After Hours Radio Room - (803) 955-4000

DNR News
SC Dept. of Natural Resources
P 0 Box 167
Columbia, SC 29202

** Archived Article - please check for current information. **

September 3, 2009

DNR courtesy boating inspections set during Labor Day weekend

In an effort to keep state waterways safe during the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division will again be conducting courtesy safety inspections at some public boat landings.

S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) boating safety and enforcement officers will perform a quick, but thorough, inspection for items such as required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registration. Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections. Instead, they will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat. DNR officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water.

To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the DNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431. For a copy of South Carolina's boating regulations, to find out about local boating safety courses or to obtain a free float plan form contact the DNR Boating Safety Office at 1-800-277-4301.

Courtesy safety inspections at the following locations and times:

• Beaufort & Colleton Counties                                                                    
              Ashepoo - Hwy. 17 Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)
              Lemmon Island Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 6)
              Pinckney Island Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5)                                  
  
  
• Broad River                                                                                    
              Ninety Nine Island Landing - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 7)
              Pick Hill Landing - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Congaree River
              601 Landing - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 6)                  
  
  
• Darlington County
              Hwy 34 - Big Pee Dee - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Sept. 4)
  
  
• Horry County                                              
              Enterprise Landing - ICW Socastee - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5)
              New Peach Tree Landing - ICW Socastee - (10 a.m. - 1 p.m. - Sept. 6)
  
  
• Florence County
              Dewitts Bluff - Big Pee Dee - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 6)
  
  
• Georgetown County                                               
              Murrells Inlet Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Lake Bowen                                                                                    
              Main Ramp - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5) - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 6) - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Lake Hartwell                                                                                             
              River Forks Landing - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5) - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Sept. 6) - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)  
              Twelve Mile Park - (Noon - 2 p.m. - Sept. 6)                      
  
  
• Lake Jocasee                                                                                               
              Devils Fork - (Noon - 2 p.m. - Sept. 6)
  
  
• Lake Keowee                                                                                                          
              South Cove Park - (Noon - 2 p.m. - Sept. 5)                                               
  
  
• Lake Greenwood                                                                                        
              Hwy. 34 Public Landing - (Noon - 2 p.m. - Sept. 7)                                   
              Greenwood State Park            - (Noon - 2 p.m. - Sept. 5)
              Riverfork Public Landing - (Noon - 2 p.m. - Sept. 6)
  
  
• Lake Marion                                                                                    
              Alex Harvin Landing (Clarendon Co) - (10 a.m. -12 p.m. - Sept. 4) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 5) - (10 a.m. -12 p.m. - Sept. 6) - (10 a.m. -12 p.m. - Sept. 7)    
              Low Fall Landing - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 4) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 7)
              Pack's Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5) - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)    
              State Park - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 4) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 5) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 6) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Lake Murray                                                                                               
              Big Man's Ramp/Hwy 391 - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Sept. 4) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 7)
              Billy Dreher Island - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Sept. 4) - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 7)
              Lake Murray Dam (Irmo Side) - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Sept. 4) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Lake Robinson - Chesterfield County
              Morrison Bridge - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5)          
  
  
• Lake Russell
              Jim Rampey Recreation Area - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 5) - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Sept. 6) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 7)       
  
  
• Lake Robinson (Greenville Co.)
              Main Ramp - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 5) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 6) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Lake Thurmond
              Clark Hill Park - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)
              Dorn Landing - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - Sept. 5)
              Hamilton Branch State Park - (Noon - 2 p.m. - Sept.6)                               
  
  
• Lake Wateree
              Beaver Creek Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 6)
              Clearwater Cove - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5)
              State Park - (10 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Lake Wylie
              Buster Boyd Landing - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 5)
              Ebenezer Boat Landing - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 7)
              Nivens Creek - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - Sept. 6)
  
  
• Lower Charleston County-Dorchester
              County Farm Landing - Leeds Ave. - Ashley River - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 7)   
              Wappoo Cut Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 6)
  
  
• Marion County 
              Galivant's Ferry - Little Pee Dee - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 5)       
  
  
• Wateree River
              Billy Tolar Landing - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - Sept. 4) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Union County                                                                                             
              Neal Shoal Landing - Lake John D. Long - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 7) 
              Lake John D. Long Landing - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 5) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 6) - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - Sept. 7)
  
  
• Upper Charleston & Berkeley Co.                                                                                                  
              Buck Hall Landing - ICW Buck Hall - (9 a.m. - Noon - Sept. 5)

South Carolina's natural resources are essential for economic development and contribute nearly $30 billion and 230,000 jobs to the state's economy. Find out why Life's Better Outdoors.

• Incipient drought status declared for 22 S.C. counties
• DNR courtesy boating inspections set during Labor Day weekend
• Shrimp baiting season opens Sept. 11 in S.C. waters
• Deer, painted bunting favorites for wildlife-themed license plate
• Cane Creek dove field to open in Jocassee Gorges on Sept. 16
• National Hunting and Fishing Day set Sept. 26 in Columbia, Oct. 3 in Seneca
• Youth deer hunt opportunities available at Samworth WMA
• Still no evidence of chronic wasting disease in S.C. white-tailed deer
• Shellfish season set to open Oct. 1
• Map Modernization meeting in Columbia Sept. 18
• Map Modernization meeting in Allendale County Sept. 14
• Upstate mobility impaired deer hunts set for this fall
• Youth encouraged to hunt Bluefield/Moultrie Hunt Units
• Two youth deer hunts set for Orangeburg County
• DNR, Air Force set youth deer hunt at Poinsett Electronic Combat Range
• Aiken County wildlife area open to public in September
• Youth deer hunts in Upstate to be conducted by DNR
• Forty-six fields available for public dove hunting
  
• Freshwater Fishing Trends
• Saltwater Fishing Trends
• S.C. Weekly Tidetable

Follow DNR on the Web: