Effingham County Board Approves Wetland Mitigation Site Rezoning Proposal

Effingham County's Planning Board made a significant move towards environmental conservation during its meeting on August 12, 2025, by approving a request to rezone approximately 480 acres to Conservation Preservation (CP) status. This decision aims to establish a wetland mitigation site while allowing for a single home site of 8.48 acres.

The applicant, represented by Forbes Buck, emphasized the importance of this rezoning as a step towards creating a conservation easement that will protect the land from future development. Buck explained that the site, currently a planted pine plantation, will undergo transformation back to its natural habitat, which historically consisted of bottomland hardwoods forest. This restoration is part of a broader effort to meet the environmental needs and goals of Effingham County.

The board discussed the implications of the project, including the management of water runoff and the establishment of buffers to prevent displacement to neighboring properties. The mitigation design aims to hold water on-site, enhancing the natural landscape and contributing to the county's goal of achieving no net loss in wetland areas.

The motion to approve the rezoning passed unanimously, with board members expressing support for the innovative approach to conservation. The next step will involve presenting the approved plan at the upcoming Board of Commissioners meeting in September, marking a pivotal moment for environmental stewardship in Effingham County.