Young Activist Champions Preservation of Wildlife Habitat in Myrtle Beach Neighborhood
A proposed housing development in Myrtle Beach, SC is causing a stir in the community, particularly among local wildlife enthusiasts. At the forefront of those raising concerns is 22-year-old Tori Baruchi, who has taken on the charge to protect the wildlife habitat threatened by this new construction.
A Haven for Wildlife at Risk
The area under scrutiny is a sprawling six-acre forest nestled between Pridgen Road and Tiffany Lane. According to Baruchi, the verdant patch hosts a variety of wildlife species. “We’ve seen coyotes, we’ve seen foxes. There are many birds of prey like Mississippi kites. We’ve seen a lot of swallowtail kites and owls,” revealed Baruchi.
This land, presently owned by HBS of Carolina LLC, faces the threat of being transformed into a residential neighborhood.
A Plea for Intervention
Pas year has seen Baruchi and her family advocate for the intervention of the City of Myrtle Beach to prevent the feared displacement of wildlife. Baruchi argued, “When you see baby alligators showing up on the beach, that should be enough to tell you our city has developed to its limit.”
She further added, “You know, we need to reconsider where we plan to build or at least reconsider the wildlife that’s housing in our woods.” However, the city claims to have its hands tied given the absence of any code or ordinances that protect wildlife, thereby enabling property owners to carry on with their plans.
Beyond Wildlife: Other Concerns Come to Light
Concerns raised by Baruchi and her family go beyond the preservation of wildlife. The duo argues that building an additional subdivision could create a myriad of problems, including flooding, increased traffic, rising crime rates, and issues of overcrowding in the area.
“Myrtle Beach was never meant to be a concrete jungle,” Mrs. Donna Baruchi, Tori’s mother, passionately stated. “That’s what we’re seeing now. There are a lot of frustrated residents. I drive every day. It’s not fun. It’s not pleasant. It’s scary.”
A Community’s Plea
Baruchi has launched a petition to raise awareness and garner community support against the proposed development. The petition has already gathered over 100 signatures, manifesting growing concern and opposition.
However, the City of Myrtle Beach maintains that the proposed development is still in the idea phase and would require approval from planning commissioners.
As concerns continue to mount, local activists like Baruchi and their efforts to protect the local ecosystem spotlight the importance of balancing development and conservation.
The unfolding situation in Myrtle Beach is a stark reminder to reconsider the impact of urban development on local bio-diversity.
Source: HERE News Network
