Committee backs due diligence and asks council to consider $6M reimbursable grant for Chelsea conservation deal

Beaufort County’s Natural Resources Committee approved due diligence for two Green Space Program applications — the Sea Island Parkway tract and the Chelsea tract — and amended its recommendation to ask county council to consider a reimbursable grant of $6 million to reduce debt for the conservation purchase of the Chelsea property.

Committee members discussed using a reimbursable grant so the Nature Conservancy or an open‑land trust could carry acquisition financing while partners (including the Department of Defense and state funds) finalize larger conservation funding. "The Department of Defense is so interested in this. They're willing to pay up to 50% of the conservation easement value," a committee speaker said during debate, explaining the total conservation easement value was estimated at roughly $12 million and that DOD could contribute about $6 million.

The committee amended the due‑diligence motion to ask staff to work on terms for a reimbursable grant and to forward the recommendation directly to county council for approval. Members made clear the arrangement would be reimbursed when external funds (DOD and other partners) are received; staff said any monetary commitment would return to council as a formal grant resolution with detailed terms.

Committee members argued the step was time‑sensitive because land values are rising and partners are prepared to move quickly; one member said the reimbursable grant would "bring confidence" and reduce financing costs for conservation partners. County staff and representatives from conservation partners (including a state conservation bank director and a representative identified as Mary Ryan) were present and described high confidence in federal and partner funding for the project.

The committee voted unanimously to approve due diligence on the two projects and to forward the reimbursement proposal to county council for consideration.