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Council approves resolution to explore conveying 2,658‑acre conservation tract to Forestry Commission
Summary
The council unanimously authorized staff to pursue discussions with the South Carolina Forestry Commission and Aiken Land Conservancy about conveying a 2,658‑acre tract under an existing conservation easement to ensure long‑term protection and passive public access.
Aiken City Council voted unanimously April 20 to let staff begin discussions with the South Carolina Forestry Commission and Aiken Land Conservancy about a possible conveyance of a 2,658‑acre tract that the city purchased for watershed protection.
City staff described the property’s history, noting the city bought roughly 2,658 acres to protect the Upper Shaws Creek watershed and subsequently placed the entire tract in a conservation easement. Staff said the goal is to preserve the tract in a largely undeveloped state for passive recreation (hiking, biking, equestrian use), maintain watershed protections and consider conveying the asset to an entity with forestry stewardship experience while keeping the conservation easement intact.
Representatives from the Forestry Commission and Aiken Land Conservancy addressed the council. James Douglas, state lands program manager for the Forestry Commission, described the commission’s experience managing state forests for multiple uses, including public recreation and timber management. City staff noted that 25% of any revenue generated by Forestry Commission‑managed property (timber sales or access fees) would be remitted to the school district in which the property sits because Aiken uses a consolidated countywide school district.
Council members praised the conservation approach and emphasized passive public access while assuring that the conservation easement would remain in force. Staff said the conveyance would protect the reservoir and wetlands while allowing limited, low‑impact recreational infrastructure (trails, primitive restrooms, picnic shelters). The resolution approved by council authorizes staff to pursue conversations with the Forestry Commission and Conservancy; it does not finalize any conveyance.
What’s next: Staff will continue negotiations and return with proposed terms; council emphasized that the conservation easement is non‑negotiable and any conveyance must maintain water resource protections.
