SC conservation bank will subaward to south carolina parks recreation and tourism (scprt) to buy and protect 115 acres of barrier island and maritime habitat by end of 2025

The three becky work tracts in this proposal consist of a 48.5 acre mainland parcel on little river neck (the mainland parcel) a 21.5 acre island parcel on waites island (the waites island parcel) and 45 acres of marsh and dredge spoil upland on the intracoastal waterway (the ICW 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 ocean front 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 the mainland parcel will be included as part of a new scprt state park the waites island parcel will be directed by scprt to SC department of natural resources (scdnr) to be included in a new heritage preserve being consolidated on waites island and the ICW parcel will remain an undeveloped state park parcel that provides scenic views of maritime forest beach and dune habitats from the surrounding conservation lands the ocean and waterways.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 non profit conservation organizations. The proposal budget is $1420000 including $1000000 grant funds from USFWS wsfr $418000 from SC office of resilience $1000 in kind support from open space institute land trust and $1000 in kind support from scprt. The federal share is 70% and non federal share is 30%.