Its range extends across Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. The
relict trillium is listed as endangered because its sites are
threatened by logging, road construction, agricultural conversion and
development. For more information on endangered plants like relict
trillium, visit the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Web site at
www.fws.gov/endangered/
While conducting a site visit, David Caddell, storm water manger for
the City of North Augusta, identified relict trillium on a property
that was about to be clear-cut and prepared for commercialization.
Relict trillium is on the federal endangered species list. Caddell
immediately notified the developers, Hull Storey Retail Group. The
developers took it upon themselves to hire an environmental
consultant to identify and flag areas that contained this federally
listed plant.
Brett M. Moule, S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) wildlife
biologist and heritage preserve manager, was contacted by the City of
North Augusta to determine what needed to be done to protect this
plant. This beautiful and unique plant is also found nearby on one of
DNR's heritage preserves managed by Moule, the Savannah River Bluffs,
located in North Augusta.
For more information on Savannah River Bluffs Heritage Preserve,
visit
their web site
According to Caddell, the State of South Carolina only requires that
a 20-foot stream buffer be established along identified waters of the
United States. This buffer is measured from the center of the stream.
Although there is minimal buffer required by state law, Hull Storey
Retail Group agreed to increase the buffer to 15 feet above any
identified relict trillium. This increased the buffer width by as
much as 130 feet in some areas.
After establishing a buffer around the identified population of
relict trillium, the Hull Storey Retail Group learned that a storm
water detention pond was required, so a small portion of the
previously established buffer would be encroached. They agreed to
allow DNR and volunteers to translocate the relict trillium that
would be affected into a protected buffer area. Thanks to the
flexibility of this developer and the aid of volunteers, about 200
relict trilliums were given a second chance.
"The City of North Augusta greatly appreciates the cooperation of
Hull Storey retail Group in increasing their stream buffer to
accommodate the trillium as well as allowing DNR time to remove
outlying plants," said North Augusta's Caddell. "This is a model
example of how local, state, and private interests can work in
concert to protect the environment."
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