Land Protection Summary
Since it was chartered in 1992, the Katawba Valley Land Trust has undertaken 53 land transactions protecting over 7,550 acres in five South Carolina counties. The land trust follows a Strategic Plan and follows land protection criteria in determining what projects to undertake. Land projects generally fall into one of three categories:
Conservation Easements are voluntary donations by property owners who wish to ensure that their land will be protected forever. Land owners can help to design the easement document to create the level of protection they desire. Depending on the circumstances, easement donations may entail tax benefits for federal and state income taxes as well as property taxes.
Acquisition projects involve ownership of property by the land trust. In most cases, land is voluntarily donated by property owners. In certain situations, the land trust may purchase property.
Transfer of property occurs when the land trust acquires a large parcel through state of federal grants and transfers the land to public entities for ownership and management. In most cases, land is transferred to the South Carolina Department of Parks Recreation and Tourism (PRT) or South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Following is a summary of some of the larger projects which have been undertaken:
The Heritage Tract is a large assemblage of land purchased from Crescent Resources LLC in the Great Falls area. The land along the Catawba River and tributaries will preserve a large portion of the viewshed of the reservoirs at Great Falls. The total preserved area is 1,903 acres and includes land transferred to SC DNR, land owned by KVLT, and conservation easements donated to KVLT. The project is supportive of Nature Based Tourism efforts being undertaken in Great Falls to revitalize the economy.
Landsford Canal State Park has received substantial protection by two projects which added 209 acres to the park itself and 1,049 acres surrounding the park which is now owned by SC DNR.
Farm land protection has been the focus of several projects totaling over 1,100 acres in Chester and Lancaster counties. The Cotton Hills Farm near Lowrys in Chester County and the Duke family farm near Lancaster are examples.
The Indian Land area of Lancaster County is experiencing rapid suburban growth related to the expansion of the Charlotte urban area. Working with land owners in the White and Nisbet families, KVLT has undertaken five conservation easement projects which have protected over 880 contiguous acres of open space in this rapidly urbanizing area.
River and creek buffers are important means for protecting water quality and wildlife habitat. As part of a long-range Catawba River Corridor Plan, KVLT has undertaken nine conservation easements on the Catawba River and tributaries (including Waxhaw Creek, Cane Creek, and others). The easements total almost 475 acres.
The Battle of Camden in Kershaw County was one of the most important Revolutionary War battles in the South, but the area had never been protected. Working with local history groups and the Palmetto Conservation Foundation, KVLT has secured easements on 479 acres protecting most of the battle site.
The Lancaster Greenway Preserve is a long-term project to piece together land in the City of Lancaster along the major creeks traversing the city. The project has resulted in ownership of 350 acres along Cane Creek, Bear Creek, Camp Creek, and Gills Creek, protecting large areas of flood plain and green space. To view a map of this property click here.
To view a map of Lancaster County Protected Lands, click here.
