The State Newspaper covers the last day of our Angel Oak trial

Posted 04/06/12

"Angel Oak case ends" by Sammy Fretwell

A developer with plans to build apartments around the centuries-old Angel Oak tree near Charleston says he spent millions of dollars trying to design the project to suit environmentalists.

But Robert DeMoura couldn’t satisfy their objections, and says he needs to move on. DeMoura is hoping a judge will allow his affordable housing project to be built adjacent to the Angel Oak, an expansive tree that draws crowds from across the country.

» More...
» Download available: Angel_Oak_case_ends.pdf

Famed Angel Oak threatened, judge told

Posted 04/04/12

by Sammy Fretwell

A seven-year-old plan to build apartments near the famed Angel Oak tree was battered with criticism Tuesday during the opening day of a trial that could help determine whether the project is ever built in Charleston County.

» More...
» Download available: Famed_Angek_Oak_threatened.pdf

Marlboro in fierce fight against landfill

Posted 04/01/12

‘You’ll mess up the water. You can’t breathe. And I don’t want to look out and see buzzards flying everywhere’

» More...
» Download available: Marlboro_in_fierce_fight_against_landfill.pdf

SCELP's newsletter is now available online

Posted 01/03/12

You can learn more about SCELP's recent work by downloading our newsletter here.

» Download available: WinterSpringFINAL.pdf

Victory in Captain Sam's Spit Case!

Posted 12/02/11

On November 19, 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court issued its opinion reversing the decision of an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) which would have allowed the construction of a half-mile long concrete block wall, known as a revetment, along the shores of the Kiawah River at Captain Sam’s Spit. The case began with a request from Kiawah Development Partners to construct a 2,783' long by 40' wide revetment to facilitate a residential development on the approximately 150 acre pristine Spit. The revetment would cover 2.63 acres of the sandy banks of the Kiawah River, which is widely used by the public for fishing, picnicking, landing kayaks, and other recreational activities. The Spit itself is one of the few remaining barrier island spits in the State that is natural and untouched by human development.

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SCELP WINS LANDMARK SUPREME COURT BATTLE FOR ISOLATED WETLANDS

Posted 07/12/11

On July 11, 2011, the South Carolina Supreme Court issued a landmark opinion declaring that S.C. law requires protection of isolated wetlands, and that citizens groups have the right to enforce those protections. SCELP represented the Georgetown County League of Women Voters in the case against a development company that filled all the wetlands on its Pawleys Island property without obtaining a permit from DHEC.

The wetlands were so-called “isolated” wetlands, meaning that they are not connected to a navigable water body. Before this case, the protected status of these isolated wetlands had been a point of uncertainty. However, the Supreme Court cleared all doubt in this case by holding for the first time that DHEC has jurisdiction over isolated wetlands, and a permit is required before modifying the wetlands. Isolated wetlands in this state come in such ecologically unique and valuable forms as carolina bays and mountain bogs. We expect the Supreme Court’s opinion to effect far-reaching protections for our State’s wetlands.

» Download available: SCELP_Mailer.pdf

SCELP Asks Federal Judge to Dismiss Landfill's Claim Against Citizens Fighting to Protect Their Community

Posted 03/15/11

This week SCELP asked a federal judge to rule that the community group we represent, which is opposed to a mega-dump in Marlboro County, did not defame the landfill company. The company filed what is called a SLAPP suit (Stretegic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) against the group in an apparent effort to quell opposition to the landfill by citizens working to protect their community, air and water quality.

» Download available: Landfill_article_March_2011.pdf