DNR seeks funds to repair high‑hazard dams, finish statewide flood mapping and support fisheries; asks $13.33M FEMA match authority

Shannon Bobert, chief of staff for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), briefed the House subcommittee on the department’s budget priorities, emphasizing infrastructure repairs, flood planning, staffing and two conservation land matters.

Dams and flood risk: Bobert described priority funding for high‑hazard dam repairs, citing Lake Paul Wallace in Bennettsville, which breached on May 6, 2024. She said engineering estimates place repairs for that dam at roughly $25,000,000 and told the committee the dam supplies recreation and drinking water and is “extremely important to me and to my constituents.” DNR also listed smaller dam projects: Mountain Lakes 1 and 2 (estimated $2,000,000) and Lake Brown in Barnwell County (study and minor repairs estimated $755,000).

Flood modeling: DNR requested $4.5 million nonrecurring to finish statewide flood inundation modeling. Bobert said one third of the modeling is complete and the remainder is widely used by emergency managers and law enforcement in events such as Helene.

FEMA Swift Current match: DNR asked for $13,333,333 nonrecurring to fully match two federally allocated Swift Current disaster grants ($20M for Debbie and $20M for Helene allocated to the state). Bobert explained the program’s maximum match requirement is 25% and that a $1,333,333 minimum would allow DNR to begin administering projects and scoping; the full $13.33M would allow the state to provide match on behalf of impacted communities.

Fisheries and marine resources: Bobert reviewed the department’s investments in fisheries and operations. She said the agency retired the 40‑year‑old research vessel Lady Lisa and retrofitted the new Lady Lillian. She also updated the committee on the flounder stocking program: the department maintains roughly 200 broodstock and expects to produce and release small batches of hatchery flounder next year while continuing genetic and rearing protocol work.

Operational and capital asks: DNR requested recurring funds to handle rising insurance and utility costs and to establish an IT equipment rotation. It also sought recurring operating funds for agency programs that have been on older fee bases, and nonrecurring funds for waterfowl impoundment maintenance ($4.95M), law‑enforcement equipment (including replacement aircraft and trucks, $4.15M requested; the governor recommended $2M), and capital repairs to regional field buildings.

Land and cultural preservation: DNR proposed a $30 million nonrecurring land acquisition package, including $17.5 million to purchase the Goodwill tract adjacent to Wateree River Heritage Preserve (736 acres) and additional tracts across several counties. The department included an operating request tied to that acquisition: nearly $1 million recurring for eight new FTEs and operating to manage the historic property and slave‑cabin sites.

Why it matters: Bobert told the committee DNR’s requests aim to protect public safety (dam and flood risks), preserve conservation and cultural assets, and maintain fisheries and law enforcement operations amid rising costs and natural disasters.

Ending: DNR emphasized a quick federal timeline for the Swift Current funds and requested the subcommittee consider at least the $1.33 million minimum to begin administering match‑eligible projects.