Historic timberlands are being deforested in Williamsburg County, SC, in the name of utility-scale solar projects.

The Greeleyville site of 4300 plus acres on the Manning Hwy is proposed for land that has been known to the community as Native American territory for a century. Burial shards of thousands of years ago and arrowhead collections attest to this fact. Ingka BV has refused to investigate.

The habitat fragmentation is happening, the stormwater runoff is happening, and the environmental impacts are being felt because no inventories or assessments were conducted. Our spotted turtle population was not considered as the bulldozers scrape and grade. The swallowtail kites, an endangered species, looked lost as they flew over the deforested area this summer.

The Nesmith tract of 4700 acres is also in danger as I fight for it at the SC Supreme Court level. This tract is also owned by Ingka BV, the parent company of IKEA. Its future is also uncertain as I appeal the decision made at the SC Public Service Commission, representing myself pro se as I try to protect all living things... and our beautiful Black River and her swamps!

Funds will be used for legal fees and advertising. Plans are underway for a 501c3 - the Black River Guardians of SC. Tax exemption status is not complete.