State Tax Return Check Off Makes it Easy to Support State Parks

South Carolinians can have a big impact on their state parks when they file their 2008 state income tax return.

The South Carolina State Park Service is launching a public awareness campaign encouraging citizens to “Check Off for State Parks” when they file their individual state income tax returns.

Contributions made on Schedule I-330 will fund new trails, better programs, and other visitor enhancements at South Carolina’s 47 state parks.

“The majority of the 7 million annual visitors to South Carolina’s state parks are South Carolina residents. This program provides an easy way for these loyal park customers to support their state parks,” said Chad Prosser, director of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism. “We think this is a great opportunity for South Carolinians to show their support and make a difference in their state parks just by donating when they file their taxes.”

Taxpayers can designate any amount from $1 up to be used for state park improvements. More than $33,000 was donated in 2008 by South Carolina taxpayers. Check off programs can make a real impact. For instance, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has collected more than $21 million since 1984 to help with conservation efforts in that state.
Prosser said that the check-off donations will be used strictly for enhancement projects such as replacing the viewing platforms at Huntington Beach, trail improvements at Table Rock and historic preservation projects at Hampton Plantation and the Hunting Island Lighthouse. Unlike most state programs, the State Park Service receives only a small portion of its budget from state taxes. Thus, state parks depend on charitable contributions and park revenues for maintenance and improvements.

The S.C. State Park Service is a division of the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism and manages 47 state parks, covering more than 80,000 acres that include more than 3,000 campsites, 220 cabins and villas, lake and river access, historic sites, public beaches, sand hills pine woods and mountain forest. For more information, go to www.Checkoff4SCParks.com or www.SouthCarolinaParks.com.