Beaufort County approves up to $42 million to help buy New River Forest after heated debate

Beaufort County Council voted 9–2 on June 22 to authorize county funds of up to $42,000,000 to support the Nature Conservancy’s purchase of the New River Forest in Bluffton, with an amendment requiring the property to have public vehicular access.

The measure, which the council considered after an extended public hearing and staff presentations, drew sharply divided testimony from residents and conservation advocates. Jennifer Albero, speaking on behalf of some Palmetto Bluff residents, urged the council to delay and commission a new appraisal, saying the current valuation ignored a perpetual covenant that she said already restricts development on much of the tract. “We strongly oppose rushing $42,000,000 of taxpayer money based on an appraisal that appears fundamentally incomplete,” Albero said, calling for release of wetland delineation studies and verification of an expected $20,000,000 state reimbursement.

The Nature Conservancy and other proponents said the acquisition would permanently protect thousands of acres of wetlands and uplands from large-scale development and that multiple funding sources would be pursued to reimburse public contributions. David Bishop of The Nature Conservancy told councilors no mitigation bank is currently approved for the property and emphasized the organization’s commitment to work with state partners on management and access. Mike McShane, speaking on behalf of conservation supporters, described the project as “the largest conservation project this county will take on in terms of acreage and impact.”

Under the grant framework attached to the council resolution, The Nature Conservancy will close the transaction and is contractually obligated to secure at least $20,000,000 in reimbursable grant funding within an agreed period; if the reimbursable funding targets are not met the agreement gives the county an option to purchase the property from the Conservancy for a nominal price, per the grant terms discussed in council chambers.

Council debate focused on three practical questions: public access and timelines for opening the property to visitors, the legal permanence of development restrictions, and the reliability of promised state and philanthropic reimbursements. Several council members asked staff and Conservancy representatives for clearer schedules and assurances that closing conditions — including public road access — would be satisfied before funds were disbursed. The council’s amendment explicitly added that established public vehicular access acceptable to the county must serve the property.

The vote followed months of committee review and public outreach; proponents said waiting would risk losing the property to development, while opponents argued the county should not proceed without further due diligence and more precise funding guarantees. The Nature Conservancy indicated it plans to work with the South Carolina Forestry Commission and local partners to make portions of the land accessible once logistical, staffing and safety requirements are in place.

What happens next: If the Conservancy meets its closing conditions, the county’s grant funds will be disbursed as part of the purchase process. Council members said they expect additional steps, including coordination with the Forestry Commission and other agencies, to establish management, public access, and grant-funded reimbursements. The council’s resolution and the grant agreement will govern reimbursement timelines and contingencies.