County, Audubon pair to preserve green space 8/27/2009 12:56 AM By HALEY HUGHES Staff writer
Nearly 100 acres in the Silver Bluff Road area will never see any type of development after a deal between the landowner, Aiken County and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary is finalized next month.
Aiken County Council recently voted to purchase approximately 20 acres located about one mile west from where Silver Bluff Road crosses over the CSX Railroad tracks. The land is adjacent to about 75 acres the Silver Bluff Audubon Center is buying in conjunction with the state office in Harleyville.
"It is a good mix of hardwood bottom lands and upward pine. It provides wildlife habitat," said Paul Koehler, director of the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary. "This was a good opportunity to leverage a much larger purchase of green space (working together.) Without the County's $50,000, it probably would not have been possible."
The County's share is coming from money set aside for open space from the one cent sales tax.
It is estimated the South Carolina Audubon Society and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center are paying roughly $215,000 total from a land acquisition account for its share.
Koehler said a conservation easement will be placed on the land, meaning it will be protected from future development in perpetuity. "This was a great opportunity for the County to preserve green space."
The Audubon Center will lease the County's 20 acres with a few conditions, including the stipulation that hunting not be allowed on the County's portion.
The Silver Bluff Audubon Center plans to offer bird walks and butterfly counts on the property.
The County has been involved in similar deals before. It bought land at Boyd Park Pond (formerly the Operations Recreation Association site) and deeded land to the Aiken Land Conservancy for preservation as green space.
"This is another step in preserving a county that is growing," said County Administrator Clay Killian.
Notice about comments:
AikenStandard.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. AikenStandard.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not AikenStandard.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Comment Title: County, Audubon pair to preserve green space
Green Space! We cannot walk or jog in our development (no sidewalks). Traffic has increased and drivers are speeding. Very dangerous conditions. Green space: exactly what is needed.
Report Abuse
