The acquisition of 625 acres near the coosawhatchie wildlife management area of the bigbee tract to protect forest legacy areas from development and retain the land in traditional forest use for…

The U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service awarded the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources $2.0 million under the Inflation Reduction Act - Forest Legacy Program (CFDA 10.734) on September 5, 2025, to acquire approximately 625 acres adjacent to the Coosawhatchie Wildlife Management Area within the Bigbee Tract. This project grant, which extends through September 4, 2030, delivers forest land conservation through fee simple acquisition designed to protect environmentally important forest legacy areas from conversion to non-forest uses while maintaining the property in traditional forest management. The acquisition will retain community and environmental values and establish public recreational access to the preserved forest lands in South Carolina.

As a state natural resource agency, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources will serve as the primary implementer responsible for land acquisition, property management, and perpetual stewardship of the protected forest area. The project aligns with the Forest Legacy Program's core objectives of identifying and protecting threatened forest lands through direct acquisition rather than conservation easements, and fulfills South Carolina's State Forest Action Plan priorities for forest conservation in the designated legacy area. Records of the project will be maintained in perpetuity by the state agency as required under program guidelines.

The acquisition of 625 acres near the coosawhatchie wildlife management area of the bigbee tract to protect forest legacy areas from development and retain the land in traditional forest use for both community and environmental values, as well as provide public access for suitable recreational uses.