Horry Co. plans controlled burns for wildfire prevention in wetlands – WPDE

Horry County Wetland Preservation Initiative: A Report on Sustainable Development Goal Alignment

Project Overview: The Independent Republic Heritage Preserve

• Horry County is implementing a project to protect 3,700 acres of natural wetlands located near the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve.
• The land, acquired in 2018, is now protected by a conservation easement, permanently preventing future development.
• The initiative establishes the Independent Republic Heritage Preserve Mitigation Bank, with the county overseeing its long-term maintenance and restoration.
• Future plans include developing public access for recreational activities such as walking and hiking, promoting community engagement with natural spaces.

Alignment with SDG 15: Life on Land

The project directly supports the conservation and sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems, a core objective of SDG 15.

1. Protection of Vital Ecosystems: By placing 3,700 acres of wetlands under a conservation easement, the county actively contributes to Target 15.1, which calls for the conservation and restoration of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems.
2. Halting Biodiversity Loss: The preservation of this natural habitat is a critical action toward Target 15.5, aiming to protect biodiversity and prevent the degradation of natural habitats.
3. Sustainable Land Management: The long-term restoration plan, projected to last seven to ten years, exemplifies the principles of sustainable land management and ecosystem restoration outlined in Target 15.3.

Contribution to SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

The initiative enhances the resilience and sustainability of local communities, in line with the objectives of SDG 11.

• Disaster Risk Reduction: A primary focus of the restoration is mitigating wildfire potential. This proactive measure directly addresses Target 11.5 by reducing the community’s vulnerability to natural disasters, such as the uncontrolled wildfires experienced previously.
• Protection of Natural Heritage: The project safeguards a significant area of natural heritage, contributing to Target 11.4.
• Inclusive and Safe Public Spaces: The long-term vision to create trails and public access aligns with Target 11.7, which focuses on providing universal access to safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces.

Broader Sustainable Development Impacts

• SDG 13: Climate Action: The preservation of wetlands, which are critical carbon sinks, serves as a nature-based solution for climate change mitigation. Proactive wildfire management also prevents large-scale carbon emissions from uncontrolled burns.
• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation: Protecting this wetland ecosystem contributes to the health of water-related ecosystems (Target 6.6), as wetlands play a crucial role in water filtration and regulation.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals: The project demonstrates effective multi-stakeholder collaboration, with the county’s plan approved by the Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers, reflecting the spirit of partnership central to achieving the SDGs.

Implementation and Methodology for Wildfire Mitigation

The county has established a systematic, multi-year plan to restore the preserve and reduce wildfire risk.

1. Mechanical Clearing: Large machinery is utilized to create fire breaks (“alleyways”) in high-ground areas by removing dense vegetation down to bare earth or minimal grass cover.
2. Prescribed Burns: Following mechanical clearing, controlled burns will be conducted in small, manageable sections. This process is designed to exhaust existing fuels that could otherwise feed an uncontrolled wildfire.
3. Regulatory Approval and Public Notification: The comprehensive burn plan has received approval from state and federal agencies, including the Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers. Residents in proximity to the preserve will be notified in advance of any scheduled burns.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The article’s primary focus is on the protection and restoration of a 3,700-acre natural wetland, which directly aligns with the goal of protecting, restoring, and promoting the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems. The establishment of the “Independent Republic Heritage Preserve Mitigation Bank” and placing the land under a “conservation easement” to make it “off-limits for development” are core actions supporting this SDG.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• The project’s effort to reduce wildfire risk for the surrounding area connects to making human settlements safer and more resilient. The article explicitly states that a key goal is to prevent “uncontrolled wildfires like the Carolina Forest wildfire earlier this year,” thereby protecting the community from natural disasters.

SDG 13: Climate Action

• The article’s discussion of managing wildfire risk is relevant to climate action. The implementation of “prescribed burns” and the creation of “fire breaks” are measures to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards, as uncontrolled wildfires are a significant natural disaster exacerbated by climate change.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

Targets under SDG 15: Life on Land

• Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services, in particular forests, wetlands, mountains and drylands. The project is explicitly about conserving and restoring a “3,700-acre plot” of “natural wetlands.”
• Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity and, by 2020, protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species. Protecting the land from future development through a “conservation easement” is a direct action to reduce the degradation of a natural habitat.

Target under SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Target 11.5: By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters… The project’s aim to reduce “wildfire potential” and prevent an “uncontrolled burn” is a direct disaster risk reduction strategy aimed at protecting the nearby community.

Target under SDG 13: Climate Action

• Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries. The proactive wildfire management plan, including “mechanical procedures” and “prescribed burns,” is a clear example of building resilience to natural disasters like wildfires.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Indicators for SDG 15 Targets

• Indicator related to Target 15.1: The article provides a direct quantitative measure for the area being protected and restored: “The 3,700-acre plot.” This serves as a clear indicator of the extent of the wetland ecosystem under conservation. The “conservation easement” is a qualitative indicator of the legal protection status.

Indicators for SDG 11 and SDG 13 Targets

• Indicator related to Targets 11.5 and 13.1: The article implies the adoption and implementation of a local disaster risk reduction strategy. The existence of a “burn plan” that has been “approved by the Department of Natural Resources and the Army Corps of Engineers” serves as a key indicator of progress. The specific actions mentioned, such as creating “fire breaks” and conducting “prescribed burns,” are measurable activities under this strategy.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wpde.com