Thank you for signing the petition to stand with Lewis Ocean Bay and save South Carolina’s Venus flytraps, Red–cockaded woodpeckers, and coastal black bears! We have surpassed 3,000 signatures and are still going strong. Your support is greatly appreciated. 
 
Unfortunately, the potential Conway Medical Center hospital being built directly adjacent to the preserve is not the only threat facing this biodiverse nature preserve.  
 
This week, the South Carolina Environmental Law Project filed a request on behalf of the Coastal Conservation League to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for board review of a DHEC staff decision to issue a permit to Soilutions LLC, authorizing the company to resume operations and begin additional excavation on 33 acres at Edge Road Mine, a sand, clay and topsoil mine adjacent to Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve. 
  
It is imperative to prohibit mining activities in and around this natural haven, which serves as a sanctuary for numerous species and offers recreational opportunities for residents of South Carolina who take pleasure in witnessing these marvels. There is an urgent need for more stringent mining legislation in South Carolina – a need that has bipartisan recognition and support – to protect special places like Lewis Ocean Bay. 
  
The DHEC staff’s decision in this case fails to protect the unique and fragile ecosystems of Lewis Ocean Bay, which provides important habitat for Venus flytraps, salamanders, and other wildlife that require specific moisture levels to survive. The preserve has a unique assemblage of Carolina bays and longleaf pine forests that also rely on a precise balance of moisture.  
  
We just don’t know how a 30-foot-deep sand mine will impact the hydrology of the preserve – and that is deeply concerning. Additionally, if the native wetland vegetation and soils dry out due to extensive mining activity, it could increase the risk of wildfire and make necessary prescribed burns more challenging. 
  
In addition to not protecting the environment, the decision fails to safeguard the surrounding community’s quality of life, which will be impacted by excess traffic, noise, and dust from the mine. 
  
This is the newest development in a string of actions by all parties involved. Please visit the Coastal Conservation League website to learn more about the concerns over how this mine could impact Lewis Ocean Bay.