The SC Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) and the SC Conservation Bank recently received five grants, totaling $ 5 million, to protect coastal wetlands in Williamsburg, Jasper, Charleston, Georgetown and Horry counties.
“Conservation of coastal wetland habitat is critical to ensuring that important habitats, wildlife and coastal communities continue to thrive for future generations,” said Governor of South Carolina, Henry McMaster.
The National Coastal Wetlands Conservation Grants, awarded by the US Fisheries and Wildlife Service, provides funding of up to $ 1 million for coastal states to protect, restore and improve coastal wetland ecosystems and associated wetlands. A maximum of US $ 1 million was given to each of South Carolina’s five projects.
“These grants will have far-reaching benefits for South Carolina’s local economies, people and wildlife,” said J. Raleigh West III, executive director of the SC Conservation Bank. “They will strengthen partnerships with various public, nonprofit and private stakeholders, while directly conserving and restoring vital coastal habitats and inland wetlands.”
South Carolina swamp conservation concessions will help protect the following properties:
194 acres on the Ashley Scenic River in Charleston County, which will be acquired by the Open Space Institute and transferred to the Drayton Hall Preservation Trust. The property is about 1.6 km from the Ashley River façade on Ashley River Road National Scenic Byway.
841 acres of diverse coastal habitats along the Black River in Williamsburg County that will be acquired by the Open Space Institute with the help of the Conservation Bank. This tract is home to species such as the endangered swallowtail kite and the wood stork threatened by the federal government.
974 acres in the Lower Savannah River basin of Jasper County, which SCDNR is planning to acquire with the support of conservation partners Lowcountry Land Trust and the Savannah River Clean Water Fund. This forested area protects 3.5 miles from the river’s façade, its extensive floodplain forests provide critical habitat and flood control, and provides support for the drinking water supply for the region’s citizens.
1,964 acres along the Santee River in Georgetown County, which SCDNR is planning to acquire with support from The Conservation Fund and Conservation Bank. Forested wetlands are used by no less than 117 priority species, 12 of which are listed federally.
980 acres in the Horry County Waccamaw River basin, which SCDNR is planning to acquire with support from Ducks Unlimited and Conservation Bank. This area includes more than three miles of façade along the Waccamaw River and features significant natural, cultural and archaeological resources. It will also establish new public access points and increase the permanently protected riverside on the Blue Trail of the Waccamaw River.
Concessions for coastal wetlands are financed by a “user payment” system for collections from the sale of recreational fishing equipment, boats, electric motors and fuels for motor boats and small engines under the authority of the Sports Fish Restoration Act 1950 Dingell-Johnson.
Robert H. Boyles Jr., director of SCDNR, said: “These grants are a great example of how much we can do by working together with our conservation partners, such as the Conservation Bank, Open Space Institute, Lowcountry Land Trust, Savannah River Clean Water Fund, The Conservation Fund and Ducks Unlimited. With the assistance of these partners, this will help us to recover species dependent on the coast, improve protection against floods and water quality, provide economic benefits to coastal communities and increase opportunities for outdoor recreation. “