Sen. Campsen Leads on Lowcountry Conservation
CHARLESTON, SC – The Audubon Action Fund thanks Senator Chip Campsen (R-43) for his longtime leadership on conservation issues that protect the Lowcountry’s birds and abundant natural resources. When we support the places birds need, we also protect our state's clean air and water, iconic landscapes, and the tourism industry that’s critical to our local economy.
“Senator Chip Campsen has been a strong voice in the General Assembly for protecting our natural resources that help preserve the Lowcountry’s unsurpassed quality of life. These protections enhance the places birds and other wildlife need to thrive. We are deeply appreciative of his work and encourage his constituents to thank the Senator for his conservation leadership,” said Justin Stokes, Senior Advisor to the Audubon Action Fund.
Senator Campsen was a leading legislative champion for the recently-passed Disaster Relief and Resilience Act, S.259, which establishes a statewide Resilience Revolving Loan Fund program to facilitate the voluntary buyout of repetitively flooded properties thereby allowing homeowners to relocate while returning those flooded properties back to a natural state. It also calls for the creation of a state Resilience Office and provides for comprehensive statewide planning and preparation to ensure our state’s resilience against increasingly severe weather and flood events.
The Senator has also been a strong proponent for land protection efforts. He led the initial efforts to establish the South Carolina Conservation Bank and was instrumental in ensuring its reauthorization in 2018. The Conservation Bank is our most powerful tool for land conservation that aids in keeping waterways clean and protecting and restoring habitat that is essential for the survival of our state’s birds. This summer Senator Campsen strongly supported protecting Beaufort County’s Bay Point Island, a globally-significant place for birds such as the Piping Plover, Red Knot, Least Tern, and American Oystercatcher.
Additionally, Senator Campsen has demonstrated a consistent commitment to clean energy as the only State Senator to vote against the Base Load Review Act that led to the V.C. Summer nuclear plant disaster. He also co-sponsored the Energy Freedom Act in 2019, the landmark law that accelerates solar power that is good for South Carolina consumers, businesses, and economy. Transitioning to clean energy sources, like solar, for electricity generation reduces air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions related to traditional energy production.
The Audubon Action Fund will be using digital advertising and mailers sent to District 43 constituents to encourage them to join us in thanking Senator Campsen for his work on conservation issues important to the Lowcountry’s birds, wildlife and communities.