Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024
A. Aiken County Gopher Tortoise Heritage
Preserve.
(1) Bicycles may be ridden on hiking
trails. Bicyclists may ride in groups no larger than five
(5).
B. Bay Point
Heritage Preserve.
(1) No dogs are
allowed.
(2) No person may enter
any area of the preserve designated as a nesting area for birds.
C. Bear Branch Heritage Preserve.
Public visitation is by permit only. The preserve is closed to
use except by permit.
D.
Bear Island.
(1) Except when closed for
scheduled hunts, the area is open from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour
after sunset.
(2) The property is
closed to all public access from November 1 through February 8, except for
scheduled hunts.
(3) All terrain
vehicles are prohibited.
(4)
Camping is allowed only at designated sites and only during scheduled big game
hunts.
(5) The area is closed to
general public access during scheduled hunts.
(6) Fishing is allowed in designated areas
from April 1 through September 30.
E. Bird-Key Stono Heritage Preserve.
(1) No dogs are allowed.
(2) No person may enter any area of the
preserve designated as a nesting area for birds.
(3) March 15 through October 15 the area is
closed to all access including the intertidal zone between low and high tide
waterlines.
(4) October 16 through
March 14 access is allowed only in the intertidal zone between low and high
tide waterlines.
(5) No motorized
vehicles, bicycles or horses.
F. Caper's Island Heritage Preserve.
(1) Overnight Camping on Capers Island is by
permit only. Permit may be obtained from the DNR Charleston office. No more
than 80 people will be allowed to camp per night. These 80 people may be
divided into no more than 20 different groups.
(2) Permits will be issued on a first come
first served basis.
(3) Campsites
will be occupied on a first come first served basis.
(4) Permits are not required for day
use.
(5) Persons without permits
must be off the island by one hour after sunset.
(6) No trash is to be placed in any fire or
buried.
(7) Department maintenance
facilities on the island are not open to the public.
(8) No crab or fish pots or traps are allowed
in impoundments.
(9) No motorized
vehicles, non-motorized vehicles, off road vehicles, or all-terrain vehicles
are allowed on Capers Island.
(10)
No fishing is allowed from the impoundment tide gate.
(11) Dogs are allowed on Caper's Island
subject to the following restrictions:
(a)
Dogs are allowed on the southern beaches of Caper's Island.
(b) Dogs are not allowed in the impoundment
area.
(c) Dogs are not allowed on
the northern beaches of Capers Island between April 1 and August 31. Areas
closed to dogs are posted by the Department.
(d) Dogs restrained by a leash or similar
device are allowed in the designated area on Price's Inlet.
G. Crab Bank Heritage
Preserve.
(1) No dogs are allowed.
(2) No person may enter any area of the
preserve designated as a nesting area for birds.
(3) March 15 through October 15 the area is
closed to all access including the intertidal zone between low and high tide
waterlines.
(4) October 16 through
March 14 access is allowed only in the intertidal zone between low and high
tide waterlines.
(5) No motorized
vehicles, bicycles or horses.
H. Daws Island Heritage Preserve.
Camping is allowed only by permit issued by the Department.
Primitive camping only is allowed. Daws Island camping is limited to two groups
of no more than eight people in each group.
I. Deveaux Bank.
(1) No dogs are allowed.
(2) No person may enter any area of the
preserve designated as a nesting area for birds.
(3) Closed all year above the high tide line
(no seasonal closure) except in the recreation area.
(4) No motorized vehicles, bicycles or
horses.
J. Donnelley WMA.
(1) Horseback riders must obtain a permit
from the Donnelley WMA office prior to riding.
(2) All terrain vehicles are
prohibited.
(3) Camping is
prohibited.
K. Dungannon
Plantation Heritage Preserve.
(1) No person
may enter any area of the preserve designated as a nesting area for
birds.
(2) Entrance to the preserve
is through a designated parking area. Each person must sign in and out of the
preserve at a designated entrance/exit.
L. Gopher Branch Heritage Preserve.
Public visitation is by permit only.
M. Great Pee Dee River Heritage Preserve.
(1) Primitive camping only is allowed.
Camping may occur only along riverbanks and on sandbars, which may be
approached only by backpacking or boat.
(2) Each person entering the preserve other
than by boat must sign in and out at a designated entrance/exit.
N. Jim Timmerman Natural Resources
Area at Jocassee Gorges.
This subsection shall apply to all Department owned and leased
land within the boundaries of the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at
Jocassee Gorges (hereinafter referred to as Jocassee Gorges).
(1) Camping.
(a) Backcountry camping by permit will be
allowed at any time during the year that the main roads allowing access to the
Jocassee Gorges are not opened in connection with big game hunting. Backcountry
camping is allowed by permit only at any location within the Jocassee Gorges,
except for any area closed for camping by the Department. Backcountry camping
is defined as minimal impact camping. No fires are allowed and each permitted
camper is responsible for camping in a manner that results in no trace of the
camping activity being left after breaking camp. Backcountry campers must apply
for camping permits over the Department internet site. No camping is permitted
within twenty-five (25) feet of a stream, lake, or as posted by the Department.
(b) The Foothills Trail and the
Palmetto Trail pass through portions of the Jocassee Gorges. Use of the
Foothills Trail and the Palmetto Trail shall be limited to hiking and primitive
camping. Camping is allowed at any point along the trails and within one
hundred feet of either side of the trails. Camping along the Foothills Trail
and the Palmetto Trail is restricted to hikers while engaged in
backpacking.
(2)
Operation of motorized, non-motorized vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, and
off-road vehicles. Motorized and non-motorized vehicle access to the Jocassee
Gorges is limited. Highway 178 and Cleo Chapman Road (county road 143) are the
only paved roads that access the property. Access by the general public to the
Jocassee Gorges by motorized vehicles will follow a seasonal schedule with the
exception of portions of Horsepasture and Camp Adger Roads. Road opening and
closing schedules written below are given as general information. The
Department may open and close any road at any time and for such duration as
deemed necessary by the Department to manage the property.
(a) The operation of a motorized vehicle
behind any closed gate is prohibited. Motorized, self-propelled, unmanned
electric cargo carriers ("deer carts") may be used for the purposes of hauling
cargo and harvested game only.
(b)
Roads open to year-round public access include a section of Horsepasture Road
to Jumping Off Rock (from Highway 178 only) and a section of Camp Adger
Road.
(c) All roads with Green
gates are seasonally open. All roads with red gates are closed to vehicular
traffic. This information will be posted at all major entrances.
(d) Motorized vehicles, all terrain vehicles,
and off road vehicles may be operated only on open maintained roads and parking
areas except as otherwise established by posted notice or as approved by the
Department.
(e) Motorized vehicles,
all terrain vehicles, and off road vehicles shall not exceed speed limits
posted on Department signs. On any land where no speed limit signs are posted
the speed limit shall be 15 miles per hour.
(f) Subject to the authority in subsection
(d) above, the operation of all terrain vehicles is restricted as follows:
Operation of all terrain vehicles is restricted to one hour before sunrise to
one hour after sunset each day beginning on Monday and continuing through the
following Friday. A person may use an all terrain vehicle while actually
engaged in hunting at any time hunting is allowed; provided, however, the
operation of an all terrain vehicle is restricted to one hour before sunrise to
one hour after sunset with the exception of game retrieval, and an all terrain
vehicle may be used only on open roads. All terrain vehicles and off-road
vehicles may not be operated on Horsepasture Road or Camp Adger Road during the
periods January 16 - March 19 and May 11 - September 14 when the main roads are
closed.
(g) All terrain vehicles
having three (3) wheels and motorcycles constructed or intended primarily for
off road use, such as dirt bikes and motocross bikes, are prohibited within the
Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at all times.
(h) Bicycles may be ridden on any road or
area that is not posted as closed to bicycles except that the Foothills Trail
and Palmetto Trail are closed to bicycles.
(3) The use of hang gliders, parachutes, or
similar devices is not allowed and may be deemed abuse of Department
land.
(4) Sassafras Overlook Site.
These regulations apply to the portion of Jocassee Gorges designated as the
overlook site by the Department.
(a) No
camping is allowed on the site.
(b)
No fires are allowed on the site.
(c) The hours of operation are one hour
before official sunrise to one hour after official sunset, except as permitted
by the Department.
(d) No alcohol
is allowed on the site.
(e) No
motor vehicles are allowed except on public roads and in the designated parking
area. Motorized scooters or similar vehicles designed specifically for use by
disabled persons may only be used by disabled persons on the site. No ATVs,
UTVs or similar vehicles are allowed on the site.
(f) No skateboards, hoverboards or similar
devices are allowed on the site.
(g) No exclusive use of the site will be
allowed by any party.
(h) No drones
may be allowed on the site.
(i) No
horses, mules, donkeys or other animals may be allowed on the site except pets
as defined below.
(j) No pets will
be allowed on the site except for dogs and cats. All pets must be restrained by
a leash at all times and may not cause any disruption to other visitors,
wildlife or the site. All pet waste must be picked up and removed from the
site.
(k) Commercial vending is
prohibited on the site.
(l) No
bicycles may be ridden on the site, except on roads open to vehicular traffic
and in designated parking areas.
(m) Special permits may be issued by the
Department to allow activities prohibited herein.
(n) All other laws, regulations, and
ordinances that apply to the site are also in effect.
(5) Abner Creek Falls Trail
(a) Human foot traffic only is
permitted.
(b) No horses, bicycles,
non-motorized conveyances or motor conveyance is permitted, except for
motorized scooters or similar vehicles designed specifically for use by
disabled persons that may only be used by disabled persons on the
site.
(c) No access is allowed from
the trail or platform to adjacent areas within 300 feet of the
platform.
O.
Joiner Bank Heritage Preserve.
(1) No dogs are
allowed.
(2) No person may enter
any area of the preserve designated as a nesting area for birds.
P. Little Pee Dee Heritage
Preserve.
(1) Primitive camping only is
allowed. Camping may occur only along riverbanks and on sandbars, which may be
approached only by backpacking or boat.
Q. Nipper Creek Heritage Preserve.
Public visitation is by permit only. The preserve is closed to
use except by permit.
R.
North Santee Bar Heritage Preserve.
(1) No
dogs are allowed.
(2) No person may
enter any area of the preserve designated as a nesting area for
birds.
S. St. Helena Sound
Heritage Preserve (Ashe Island, Beet Island, Big Island, Warren Island, and
South Williman).
Camping is restricted to primitive camping in designated areas
only.
T. St. Helena Sound
Heritage Preserve (Otter Island).
(1) No dogs
are allowed.
(2) Primitive camping
only is allowed by permit issued by the Department. Primitive camping is
restricted to designated areas and will be allowed only between October 16 and
March 14.
U. Samworth WMA.
(1) Managed wetlands will be open for
wildlife observation, bird watching, photography or nature study during
daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) from February
9 through October 31 each year. Between November 1 and February 8 these
activities will be restricted to designated areas on Butler Creek and the Big
Pee Dee River. All public use of this type will be by foot travel only after
arriving by watercraft.
(2) The
mainland nature trail will be open during daylight hours (1/2 hour before
sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) to foot traffic only.
(3) All terrain vehicles, bicycles, and
horses are prohibited.
(4) Dirleton
grounds are open to the public from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., Monday through
Friday.
V. Santee Coastal
Reserve.
(1) The Santee Coastal Reserve is
open during daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset)
for limited public use year round except as listed below.
(2) Managed wetlands will be open for
wildlife observation, bird watching, photography, or nature study during
daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) from February
9 through October 31 each year except during special hunts and events regulated
by the Department.
(3) The dikes
around the waterfowl impoundments will be closed, except by prior arrangement,
during the period of November 1 through February 8 of the next year.
(4) Prior arrangements must be made with the
Reserve Manager to use observation blinds for waterfowl.
(5) Upland trails will be available during
open periods stated above.
(6) The
beaches on Cedar and Murphy Islands will be open year round, seven days a week,
during daylight hours. No person may enter any area designated as a critical
area for wildlife.
(7) Bicycles may
be ridden on upland trails year round and on dikes from February 9 - October
31.
(8) Fishing is permitted from
the Santee River dock and the Hog Pen impoundment except during scheduled
waterfowl hunts. Fishing will be allowed during daylight hours (1/2 hour before
sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset). Fishing is permitted on Murphy and Cedar
Island beaches at any time on a year round basis.
(9) Primitive camping on Cedar and Murphy
Islands is restricted to designated areas and will be allowed only between
October 16 and March 14. Camping on the mainland portion is restricted to the
designated campground. Mainland camping registration is required at the
campground self-serve kiosk. Advance registration is required for groups
greater than 15 people.
(10) Dogs
are allowed on Cedar and Murphy Islands subject to the following restrictions:
(a) Dogs are allowed during participation in
scheduled hunts
(b) Dogs are
allowed in designated areas at the southern end of Cedar Island and the South
Santee side of Murphy Island.
(c)
Dogs are prohibited in all other areas of Cedar and Murphy Island between April
1 and August 30.
(d) Areas closed
to dogs are posted by the Department.
W. Santee-Delta WMA.
(1) Managed wetlands will be open for
wildlife observation, bird watching, photography or nature study during
daylight hours (1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset) from February
9 through October 31 each year except during special hunts and events regulated
by the Department. Area closed to all public access from November 1 through
February 8 except for special hunts and events regulated by the Department. All
public use of this type will be by foot travel only.
(2) All terrain vehicles, bicycles, and
horses are prohibited.
(3) Camping
is prohibited.
X. Shealy's
Pond Heritage Preserve.
Gasoline powered motors on boats are prohibited.
Y. Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage
Preserve.
(1) Camping is allowed in designated
campsites during designated hunts only.
Z. Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center.
The Center is a wildlife sanctuary. Boating, fishing and
wildlife viewing in or upon navigable waters is allowed.
(1) Public visitation is by pre-scheduled
educational field trips only. The scheduling of educational field trips is at
the discretion of SCDNR.
(2)
Primitive camping is allowed by permit only. Requests for permits should be no
less than 2 weeks prior to their effective date. Primitive camping is allowed
only at Department designated locations along the beach front from October 16
and March 14. Only one permit will be issued for each location at a time.
Camping is allowed for a period of not more than 4 consecutive nights per
individual permit holder.
(3) No
dogs are allowed on beaches, except in the designated public access
area.
AA. Victoria Bluff
Heritage Preserve.
(1) No campfires or any
other use of fire shall be allowed.
BB. Waccamaw River Heritage Preserve.
Primitive camping only is allowed. Camping is allowed only
along riverbanks and on sandbars; campers may approach only by backpacking or
boat.
CC. Watson Cooper
Heritage Preserve.
Camping is restricted to primitive camping. No live plants may
be cut or cleared to improve or expand a campsite. No campsites or campfires
within 25 feet of a stream or creek.
DD. Webb WMA.
(1) Webb WMA is closed to the general public
from one hour after official sunset to one hour before official
sunrise.
(2) Overnight visitors to
the Webb Center are not restricted in hours of access.
(3) No camping without a permit except for
deer, turkey, and hog hunters on nights before a designated hunt.
(4) Bicycles may be ridden on any area that
is not marked or posted as restricted to bicycles. No bicycle may be operated
in any manner or place that will damage or degrade any feature or habitat.
During scheduled big game hunts, bicycles and all terrain vehicles are
prohibited except as used by legal hunters and anglers.
EE. Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve.
(1) All terrain vehicles may be ridden on the
portions of Cane Break and Horsepasture roads on the Preserve subject to the
same rules as the Jim Timmerman Natural Resources Area at Jocassee
Gorges.
FF. Botany Bay
Plantation WMA.
(1) No camping is
allowed.
(2) All terrain vehicles
are prohibited except those permitted by the Department for special management
activities.
(3) The Fig Island
shell rings are closed to all public access except organized scientific,
management or educational activities permitted by the the Department.
(4) Access to the beach is by foot, bicycle
or boat; no horses allowed on the beach. No dogs allowed on the beach. No
collection, removal or possession of shells, fossils, driftwood or cultural
artifacts is permitted.
(5) Sea
Cloud Landing on Ocella Creek and all other designated access points are
restricted to non-trailered watercraft.
(6) All hunters, fishermen and visitors must
obtain and complete a day use pass upon entering the area and follow
instructions on the pass.
(7)
Botany Bay Plantation WMA is closed to public access 1/2 hour after sunset
until 1/2 hour before sunrise except for special events regulated by the
Department.
(8) No person may
gather, collect, deface, remove, damage, disturb, destroy, or otherwise injure
in any manner whatsoever the plants, animals (except lawful hunting), fungi,
rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts, or ecofacts including but not limited to
any tree, flower, shrub, fern, moss, charcoal, plant remains, or animal
remains. The Department may authorize the collection of certain material upon
issuance of a permit as provided in 123-206.
(9) Shorebased fishing, shrimping, and
crabbing, is allowed only on the front beach and in designated areas
only.
(10) The Department reserves
the right to close specific areas as needed for management purposes.
(11) Alcoholic beverages are prohibited on
the area.
GG. McBee WMA.
(1) All terrain vehicles are
prohibited.
HH. Campbells
Crossroads and Angelus Tract.
(1) All terrain
vehicles are prohibited.
II.
Pee Dee Station WMA.
(1) All
terrain vehicles are prohibited.
JJ. Daily use cards are required for all
users of Hamilton Ridge WMA, Palachucola WMA, Webb WMA, Tillman Sand Ridge
Heritage Preserve, Bonneau Ferry WMA, Bear Island WMA, Donnelley WMA, Great Pee
Dee River Heritage Preserve, Belfast WMA, Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve,
Marsh WMA, Woodbury WMA, Worth Mountain WMA, Liberty Hill WMA and Santee Cooper
WMA. Cards must be in possession while on the property and completed cards must
be returned daily upon leaving the property.
KK. Liberty Hill WMA
(1) All-terrain vehicles are
prohibited.
(2) The area is closed
to public access 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before sunrise except for
hunts and special events regulated by the Department.
LL. Wateree River HP WMA
(1) All-terrain vehicles are
prohibited.
(2) The waterfowl
impoundments are closed to all public access from November 1 through February
8, except for scheduled hunts.
(3)
The area is closed to public access 1/2 hour after sunset until 1/2 hour before
sunrise except for special events regulated by the Department.
(4) All users, including hunters and anglers
must obtain and possess a day use pass upon entering the area and follow
instructions on the pass. The completed form must be deposited in the
designated container before leaving the area.
(5) Special events may be permitted by the
Department.
(6) Horseback riding is
prohibited except by special permit.
MM. Lewis Ocean Bay HP WMA
(1) Horseback riding is also allowed during
the period January 2 through March 1, subject to the restrictions in Regulation
123-203, Paragraph G, sections
(2) through (11).
NN.
Turtle Island WMA
(1) No dogs are allowed,
except during participation in scheduled hunts, and when physically restrained
by a leash or similar device between Sept 1 and March 31.
(2) Primitive camping is restricted to
designated areas and will be allowed only between October 16 and March
14.
OO. Pine Island
(1) No dogs are allowed, except when
physically restrained by a leash or similar device between Sept 1 and March
31.