COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's wildlife agency gathered a team of scientists more than a year ago to study what could happen if temperatures in the state continue to warm, but have never released their report.
A draft of the report obtained by The State of Columbia says if temperatures rise by 9 degrees as projected by some over the next 70 years, South Carolina would see more beach flooding and invasion of non-native species such as piranhas. The report says more salt water could be pushed into coastal rivers, affecting fresh water supplies.
One scientist involved in the initial work on the report for the Department of Natural Resources said there were political concerns.
But new DNR director Alvin Taylor says the report needs more work before it is released.
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