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Beaufort County board authorizes letter supporting Forestry Commission's Buckfield purchase
Summary
The school board authorized the chair to sign a letter supporting the South Carolina Forestry Commission's Buckfield Land Acquisition Project covering roughly 2,828 acres (1,766 in Beaufort County); the board noted the county will receive 25% of gross revenue from timber revenues on county acres under Forestry Commission stewardship.
The Beaufort County Board of Trustees authorized a letter of support for the South Carolina Forestry Commission's Buckfield Land Acquisition Project, a proposed conservation and multi‑use property of roughly 2,828 acres that includes approximately 1,766 acres in Beaufort County.
The operations committee secretary (speaker 1) presented the request and explained the Forestry Commission's stewardship role. The presentation said the property will be managed for sustainable timber production, wildlife habitat, recreation, research and carbon sequestration; the Forestry Commission pays 25% of gross revenue it generates from county acres to the county for general school purposes, the presenter said. "If the 1,766 acres that are in Beaufort County yield any type of profit...we get 25% of the proceeds," the presenter clarified during questions from board members.
A motion to authorize the chair to sign the letter of support and to authorize the superintendent to execute and submit it was moved by the secretary, seconded and passed unanimously.
Why it matters: the Forestry Commission's stewardship would place a large contiguous tract under long-term conservation and management, while also directing a share of timber revenue to county school purposes. The board's support is part of the Forestry Commission's approval process, which requires local government letters for land the Commission intends to purchase and hold.
What’s next: the district will send the letter of support as part of the Forestry Commission's application materials to the state Department of Administration.
