Department of Defense, Open Land Trust, SC Conservation Bank join to protect land, flight space
From staff reports
The Department of Defense (DoD) and the Open Land Trust (OLT) have announced the permanent protection of 488.33 acres, known as “Bowers Farm,” on the South Wimbee River in the St. Helena Sound in the ACE Basin.
The conservation easement was funded by the DoD and South Carolina Conservation Bank and is held in partnership between DoD and Open Land Trust.
This property lies within priority flight space for Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort due to its location off the north end of MCAS Beaufort Runway 05/23 and its location within the Air Installations Compatible Use Zones (AICUZ) noise footprint. Its protection adds to the existing conservation easements along Whitsell Road which now exceed 9,000 protected acres.
“Protecting Bowers Farm protects the Air Station’s military mission by ensuring unobstructed training for our pilots and aircrew,” said Col. Mark Bortnem, Commanding Officer of MCAS Beaufort, in a news release. “We are pleased to add to the protected corridor of land in the ACE Basin and showcase the mutual, multiple benefits by protecting not just our military mission, but natural resources and working lands in our Lowcountry Sentinel Landscape.”
Funding came from competitive grant programs from the Department’s Readiness and Environmental Protection initiative (REPI) program, the South Carolina Conservation Bank, and bargain-sale land donation by the landowner family. REPI funds protect mission critical interests of MCAS Beaufort and have helped protect several other properties in Beaufort County and are frequently leveraged with state, local and private funds.
Raleigh West, Executive Director of the S.C. Conservation Bank commends the partnership. “Protecting Bowers Farm solidifies the conservation corridor north of the MCAS,” West said. “Not only will that benefit water quality and wildlife habitat along the Coosaw River, but it will also help buffer the DoD facilities against encroachment from incompatible uses. I appreciate the innovative use of conservation to achieve multi faceted benefits for both ecological and national defense purposes.”
The conservation easement significantly reduces housing density and incompatible development on the property, while protecting the public’s scenic enjoyment from Whitsell Road and the Wimbee River. The conservation easement also protects wildlife habitat, scenic forested road frontage and water quality, as well as allow for marsh migration over time. It will allow for continued use of the property as a family recreational tract, a haven for siblings and grandchildren to fish and enjoy the outdoors.
One common dock exists, and all future docks are restricted by proposed easement terms such that the one mile of Wimbee River frontage is protected forever from future development.
“OLT is proud to partner with DoD and Conservation Bank and the Bowers family to protect properties and landscapes like this one,” said Kristin Williams, Executive Director of the Open Land Trust. “Our natural and local communities can thrive when we all work together to improve water quality, improve military readiness and permanently protect family lands like Bowers Farm.”
