The S.C. Department of Natural Resources and Senator Hugh Leatherman (R-Dist. 31) announced plans for a new public office facility in Florence during a groundbreaking ceremony Friday, August 24, 2007, at Francis Marion University.
The new S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office, located in DNR Region II, will serve York, Chester, Fairfield, Lancaster, Kershaw, Lee, Chesterfield, Marlboro, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Marion and Williamsburg Counties. The facility will house offices for three DNR divisions including Law Enforcement; Land, Water and Conservation; and Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries. Public services such as the purchase and renewal of hunting and fishing licenses and permits, boat registration renewal, duplicate watercraft decals and duplicate outboard motor decals will be offered at the new office location.
“In 2003, as a means of consolidating 17 small field office locations offering limited service options, DNR implemented the regional hub system, opening larger, more efficient offices with expanded services in Florence, Columbia, Charleston and Clemson,” according to DNR director John Frampton. “The consolidation has saved a considerable amount of money in facilities management and utility bills, improved internal agency communications, and improved user friendly service operations for the general public. DNR customers in the Pee Dee Region, such as boaters, hunters and anglers, will see enhanced services with greater convenience.”
During the groundbreaking ceremony, DNR recognized Senator Leatherman for leading the Senate Finance Committee through the passage of the last three annual DNR budgets.
“Over the last three years, budget allocations have enabled DNR to hire 21 additional natural resources enforcement officers for the Pee Dee Region of South Carolina,” Leatherman said. “Approximately 50 DNR officers will be supervised through staff assigned to the new Florence facility, once complete. These officers, along with the new facility will improve DNR services offered to the Florence community,”
The 8,300 square-foot Florence facility will be located off Highway 76, seven miles east of Florence on the campus of Francis Marion University and on property formerly owned by the university.
“We are delighted to welcome the S.C. Department of Natural Resources to the FMU campus,” added Francis Marion president Fred Carter. “This new facility will provide numerous opportunities for collaboration between their staff and our faculty in the biological and ecological sciences. We are delighted with our new neighbors.”
Liollio Architecture of Charleston designed the facility and plans will be submitted to the Office of State Engineer by late September for approval. The bidding process for the project is expected to begin late October with construction underway by early 2008. Completion of the $1.5 million project is expected in the fall of 2008, using a combination of bond referendum, state and federal funds.
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