SC conservation bank will subaward to south carolina parks recreation and tourism (scprt) to buy and protect 109 acres of maritime forest and salt marsh by end of 2025 the olivia boyce tracts…

SC conservation bank will subaward to south carolina parks recreation and tourism (scprt) to buy and protect 109 acres of maritime forest and salt marsh by end of 2025 the olivia boyce tracts include a 67.5ACRE parcel of high bluff and tidal marsh on little river neck (the little river neck parcel) and a 41.5ACRE parcel on goat island in the little river inlet made up of tidal marsh and sandy shore (the goat island parcel). Many partners have come together to preserve this last undeveloped coastal property in northern horry county SC. Coastal areas such as myrtle beach are some of the countrys fastest growing population centers yet include some of SCS most fragile and threatened habitats. The scarcity of undeveloped property in horry county makes this oceanfront property an extraordinary market opportunity with its deep water marsh frontage and ocean views. The undeveloped areas of little river neck and waites island have long been a conservation priority for the state due to the increasing pressure for residential and commercial developments. Through this project preservation will ensure that this area does not become vulnerable to the impacts of storm events and other coastal threats.after acquisition scprt will incorporate the little river neck and goat island parcels into a new state park managed with a site specific landscape design. Longterm ownership and stewardship by scprt will support the conservation of species of greatest conservation need and their associated coastal wetland habitats as designated in the SC wildlife action plan.expected benefits and resultsincrease in coastal wetland habitat acres conserved.increase in contiguous conservation lands and adjacent waters in the watershed.increase in opportunity for the public to participate in fishing and passive recreation and education activities consistent with the grants conservation objectives.expanded partnerships between state agencies and nonprofit conservation organizations. The proposal budget is $1420000 including $1000000 grant funds from USFWS wsfr $418000 from SC office of resilience $1000 inkind support from open space institute land trust and $1000 inkind support from scprt. The federal share is 70% and nonfederal share is 30%.