Symposium to Encourage Developers to Consider Environmental Impacts in Gills Creek Watershed and Beyond

SC Chapter of the
Soil and Water Conservation Society
Amy O. Maxwell, President
1835 Assembly Street, Room 950
Columbia, SC 29201
(803) 765-5402
allimaxwell@earthlink.net FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SC Soil and Water Conservation Society Plans Symposium to Encourage Environmental Planning in Urban Development
December 11th symposium will highlight ‘green development’ success stories

October 16, 2007, Columbia, SC—The SC Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society (SWCS) is planning a symposium which will educate developers, engineers, planners, natural resource professionals, and others about the integration of urban development with environmental planning.

Balancing Growth with Environmental Integrity in Urban Development will highlight the importance of environmental planning, particularly in Richland and Lexington Counties. Success stories from Lexington County’s Stormwater Management Division, and also from the Mungo Company, will illustrate how the pressures of urban development can be balanced to ensure protection of our state’s natural resources.

SC SWCS Chapter President Amy O. Maxwell said, “This symposium was planned because of the rising demand for communities that offer more open space and preserve natural features, such as buffers. Homebuyers in South Carolina, and the nation as a whole, are starting to understand the importance and necessity of environmental protection, particularly in high-density urban areas. They are actively seeking housing developments that evaluate environmental impacts before and during construction. So, it’s in the best interest of developers and planners to maintain open space, leave the natural vegetation and timber, and in turn, they may increase their profits over traditional developments.”

The symposium will take place December 11, 2007, at Seawell’s in Columbia, SC. The program will begin at 9:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. The early bird registration fee (which includes lunch and breaks) is $50 for SWCS members and $75 for non-members, and is due by November 19th. There are also exhibitor/sponsorship opportunities available, and if you join the SC Chapter of SWCS before the symposium, you can register for the $50 rate. You can download and print out the mail-in registration form by visiting http://swcs.tripod.com/SCSWCSregisterDec11.pdf.

For more information about attending, exhibiting, or helping sponsor the symposium, contact Maxwell at (803) 765-5402 or allimaxwell@earthlink.net