SUMMERTON - The severe drought and resulting low water levels in Lake Marion are attracting a.jpgact hunters, much to the concern of officials at the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.

Marc Epstein, manager of the refuge, says the public needs to be aware that "collecting, searching for, removing or destroying artifacts or possession of metal detecting devices" is strictly prohibited within the boundaries of the Santee National Wildlife Refuge.

"This prohibition applies to shoreline areas on all refuge units, not just areas adjacent to the Santee Indian Mound/Fort Watson site," Epstein said.

Because of prolonged drought conditions in South Carolina and throughout the Southeast, which have created a unique situation on many waterways, the state Department of Natural Resources has announced that "14 of 17 streams they monitor are at extreme drought levels and some lakes have declined to water levels lower than experienced during the extended drought period of 1998-2002."

Epstein said the extended drought has exposed miles of shallow bottoms and hundreds of feet of shoreline in Lakes Marion, Moultrie and Murray. Most of these areas have not been exposed for many, many years, he said, tempting numerous individuals to take advantage of exposed, dry shorelines to search for pottery shards, arrowheads and other a.jpgacts.

The public should know, however, that "any person who, without official permission, searches for, collects, destroys, excavates or removes any historic artifact, object of antiquity or archaeological resource on the refuge is in violation of several laws and is subject to criminal penalties for their violation," Epstein noted. Penalties may be as severe is two years of imprisonment, fines up to $250,000 and potentially the cost of restoration and repair plus payment of any archaeological value as well as forfeiture of personal property, he said.

Kay W. McCutcheon, park ranger at Santee National Wildlife Refuge, added, "We would like to warn people and give them every opportunity to comply with our ordinances. Santee Cooper does allow the collection of artifacts in the open lake, but it is forbidden in the exposed areas within the refuge boundaries."

Santee State Park has an comprehensive exhibit on the Santee Indian Mound and Santee Indian culture, McCutcheon said.

"Please help us to conserve and protect invaluable natural and culturally significant resources entrusted to our care by respecting our cultural heritage and obeying all laws," she said.

To obtain information and maps showing refuge boundaries or to learn about wildlife observation and public use opportunities on the refuge, call 803-478-2217. National Wildlife Refuges protect some of the nation's most unique, spectacular and truly wild places. There are eight refuges in South Carolina. Follow the links from http://refuges.fws.gov to find information on a favorite refuge destination or check out the Friends Web site at www.santeerefugefriends.org to find out how to join the Friends of Santee National Wildlife Refuge.

T&D Correspondent Shirley Upton can be reached by e-mail at writer@ntinet.com. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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