Core Principle 1: Watersheds are natural systems that we can work with

Cooper River Corridor Project

In 1992, three major chemical companies (Amoco, Dupont, and Bayer) took the lead in forming the Cooper River Corridor Project--a coalition of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, the Wildlife Council, South Carolina's Department of Environmental Protection, citizens, and local corporations--to identify and solve ecological problems in the region. The group first decided to identify weaknesses in a five square mile area of the watershed, looking particularly at the habitat of two endangered animal species, two bird species, the longleaf pine, and sweetgrass (a native grass important to an historical basket weaving cottage industry in the area). The Project has begun a longleaf pine reforestation program and Amoco planted sweetgrass on many acres of its local land (which regenerated sweetgrass and also the local basket making industry). With these successes in working together, the Project, led by Amoco, is beginning a grass roots community strategic planning process for the entire Cooper River Watershed to protect and restore ecosystems and to strengthen local economic opportunities.

Case Study Links:

   Cooper River Corridor Project, SC

   Occoquan Watershed, VA

   North Carolina Statewide Framework

   Boulder Creek Watershed, CO

   Merrimack River Initiative, New England

   Washington Statewide Framework