Committee advances multiple green-space due-diligence requests; Simmons Tract easement proposed

Beaufort County’s Natural Resources/Public Facilities Committee voted Feb. 3 to move a package of green-space due-diligence and negotiation requests to full council and considered a separate resolution authorizing contribution toward a conservation easement.

The due-diligence package includes four proposed transactions: Pine Grove Plantation (approx. 29 acres, Saint Helena Island; recommended due diligence up to $25,000), an adjacent Harper tract, the large Pioneer Land & Timber tract (referred to in committee discussion as Palmetto Bluff/New River; roughly 5,000 acres, with committee-recommended due diligence up to $50,000 to assess habitat and funding strategy), and the Broad Creek Marina tract on Hilton Head (town seeking acquisition; committee discussed a 50/50 cost share for due diligence). Mike McShane, chair of the Green Space Advisory Committee, explained the regional and ecosystem connectivity benefits and noted a short window to evaluate the large Pioneer Land & Timber tract.

Separately, the committee considered a resolution authorizing the county administrator to provide funds (not to exceed $1,545,000) to contribute to a conservation easement on the Simmons Tract in the Town of Hilton Head; Open Land Trust would hold the easement and the town is expected to contribute half of the easement value. Committee members discussed equitable distribution across the county’s four green-space regions and asked staff to clarify mapping and out-of-county projects in future reports.

Committee action forwarded the due-diligence package to full council for its consideration; the transcript records the committee chair saying the matter was approved. The Simmons Tract resolution was taken under advisement with a motion and second to authorize the administrator to execute necessary documents and provide funds up to the cap described in the packet.