Edisto Concerns
Edisto Concerns was founded in November 2013 to address threats to the South Fork of the Edisto River. Edisto Concerns is dedicated to the preservation of the Edisto River and the reform of South Carolina’s lax water laws.
A Chronology of Events
November 2013
Words begins to spread among Aiken County residents that a giant potato farm is being developed on the “Old Cato Place” near Windsor, and they plan to take water from the South Fork of the Edisto River. We hear that they are putting in giant engines and giant pumps, and laying 36″ pipe to the river.
After doing some research into the conservation of the Edsito River, we discover Friends of the Edisto (FRED). FRED is an organization founded in 1998, with a mission of protecting and preserving the Edisto River, the longest free-flowing, blackwater river in North America.
We call DHEC in Aiken and tell an employee about the potato farm. He is not aware of it and says he will be out there Monday morning. Ten minutes later, we get a call from someone at DHEC in Columbia, who explains about the Surface Water Withdrawal Act. They say that everything that Walther Farms is doing is legal and approved by DHEC. FRED files a FOIA request and in a few days and we see the Walthers Farms Farm Registration.
Walthers Farms of Michigan had requested a withdrawal of 805 Million gallons per month from the South Fork of the Edisto River and it was granted by DHEC. There was a second request for their second farm requesting an additional 400 Million gallons per month. The Walthers intended to farm approximately 900 acres on what they call Augusta Plantation, which is effectively the old Cato Place. They moved some buildings to make better use of the land, and began installing a massive irrigation system to take water from the river.
Tom Sliker and Doug Busbee, along with USC Journalism student, Marjorie Sliker, take a boat ride down the very remote section of the South Fork, just below Aiken State Park. From the river we see the 36″ pipes laid out to the river, and a clearing right up to the bank of the river. We see an old duck pond whose dam has been removed. We take a few pictures and some video and go back home.
A few days later, we are able to get an on-camera interview with Jeremy Walthers. He explains a lot about Walthers Farms and their plans for potato operations. We ask him a number of water-related questions.
Hugo Krispyn, a video producer, FRED member, and landowner on the North Fork of the Edisto River, joins the Edisto Concerns team to help with video.
December 2013
December 9, 2013, Hugo films a trip down the river where we find three large excavators on the bank of the river. The Walthers and their contractors are running day and night to get the construction of the withdrawal site completed. Hugo, FRED members, and reporters from The State newspaper fly over the potato farm in a helicopter, services donated by a concerned citizen.
December 11, 2013, The State newspaper runs a front page story about the potato farm and the DHEC’s role in the process. Read it here.
The Edisto Concerns Facebook page is launched. Within 16 hours, Edisto Concerns has over 200 followers on the Facebook Page. Friends of the Edisto’s Facebook page has 300+ followers on their Facebook page. Edisto Concerns encourages followers to donate to FRED and follow their Facebook page. Within 3 days, both Facebook pages have over 1000 followers.
Hugo’s video from his trip down the river, published on Edisto Concerns December 11, 2013:
December 12, 2013, Hugo narrates an aerial flight showing the magnitude of the potato farm and its drastic difference to the surrounding swamp land. This video reached over 15,000 people on Facebook.
December 14, 2013, Edisto Concerns celebrates its 1000th LIKE by posting a segment from the interview with Jeremy Walther:
December 15, 2013, Doug Busbee is featured on the front page of The State Newspaper, in an article discussing citizen’s concerns about the giant potato farm. Over the next few days, similar articles appear in the Aiken Standard, Orangeburg Times & Democrat, and various television news stations.
December 18, 2013, DHEC responds to a request from Conservation Voters to grant a public meeting on the Surface Water Removal Act and accompanying regulations. DHEC schedules an information meeting for January 7, 2014, in Aiken, SC.
Professor John Bass encourages people to “Do three things…” video
December 19, 2013, Friends of the Edisto files a lawsuit challenging DHEC’s decision to allow the Walthers surface water withdrawal, stating that DHEC’s decision “violates statutory and constitutional law in South Carolina, which provides protection for waters of our state.”
WRDW TV 12 in Augusta reports on the story.
December 21, 2013, We fly over the second Walthers Farm, taking and sharing lots of videos and pictures. The Edisto Concerns Facebook page had its 2000th LIKE.
January 2014
January 4, 2014, the Swamp Buggy makes it’s first appearance on behalf of FRED at the Grand American Coon Hunt in Orangeburg, SC.
DHEC has a meeting where they explain the law to citizens. Over 400 people show up on the coldest night of the year, below freezing. In South Carolina, people don’t go out in freezing weather, but they did on that night.
The audio of the entire meeting is available at http://tinyurl.com/AikenDHECaudio
Some main points we learned from DHEC about the current law:
- SECRECY: The current law REQUIRES DHEC to approve an agricultural withdrawal with no public notice (1:08:50)
- PUMPING THE RIVER DRY: An Ag withdrawal may take all the water from the river, ie, “There is no minumum instream number at which they would have to stop” (49:20)
- ETERNAL WATER GRANTS: Agricultural withdrawals “have no duration” (54:15)
- NO INPUT OUTSIDE DHEC: DHEC said there is no need to consult DNR or other agencies (70:00)
On January 28, 2014, FRED reached a settlement with Walthers Farms. Walthers Farms agreed to cut their withrawal amount in half, from 800M per month to 400M per month, and drop their request for their second farm. They also agreed to install a well to use as a backup water source. Link to FRED / Walther Farms Settlement Agreement.
2014 and Beyond
While the immediate issue of Walthers Farms has been settled, the state of South Carolina has a desparate need to change its current surface water removal laws before they bring about a devastating effect on our state’s rivers. While nothing got accomplished during the 2014 legislative session, we are hopeful that change will occur in 2015.
SC Title 49-4-10 – South Carolina Surface Water Withdrawal, Permitting, Use, and Reporting Act
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