f-poration of Columbia in designing

. the overall conservation plan to limit residential density to approxi­mately one unit per 21 acres. Through combined gifts of land and a conservation easement, Fuller Street also has pledged to protect 415 acres of the island in its natural state.

The Conservancy will manage the land gift as a private conserva­tion site to be used for passive recreational activities by the Bailey Island residents and participants in Conservancy-sponsored field trips.

Restrictive covenants will prohibit additional creation of lots

on the developed portion of the island, will maintain significant buffers of maritime forest around each lot and will limit the clearing of vegetation within lots.

The Nature Conservancy has developed a conservation manual for property owners that provides specific lot design and construction, and landscaping guidelines to fur­ther enhance protection of the maritime forest and the surrounding estuarine system.

"The cooperation and support of the Fuller Street Corporation in working with The Nature Conser­vancy to conserve the unique natu-

ACE Basin Economic Forum An Action Agenda for Compatible

Economic Development

Over the past year, more than 100 Colleton County residents and

other interested individuals have worked hundreds of hours to pre­pare the county and the ACE Basin for the years ahead.

The ACE Basin Economic Forum includes individuals with a wide range of interests and back­grounds who participated in numer­ous meetings, a day-long retreat, task groups and a final review session.

The Forum is sponsored by the Colleton County Resource and Development Board, the Walterboro-Colleton County Cham­ber of Commerce, the Colleton County Council, the Lowcountry Council of Govemments and The Nature Conservancy.

The Pew Charitable Trusts, the Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, the Hillsdale Fund, S.C. Forestry Commission and U.S. Forest Ser­vice funded the work. The Corpo­ration for Enterprise Development,

ral resources of Bailey Island and the lower St. Helena Sound estuary is genuinely appreciated," said Michael Prevost, ACE Basin Bioreserve Director for TNC.

"We commend Fuller Street's professionalism in this project and their sensitivity toward conservation ofthe nationally significant re­sources of the ACE Basin. The Conservancy acknowledges The Edisto Island Land Trust for their generosity in bringing the Fuller Street Corporation and the Conser­vancy together to make this project possible." §!$

Robert Marvin, nationally recognized landscape architect from Walterboro, speaks to a group of 80 individuals on the value of proper planning for com­patible economic development during an event celebrating the completion of the ACE Basin Economic Forum's Strategic Plan. The event was held at the Donnelley Wildlife Management Area lodge.

task groups established in July 1995 to address land use planning, nature and heritage based tourism, value­added natural resource-based prod­ucts and enhanced educational

-t

e~-----------------------------

ttainment, the Forum recom­mended that the community pursue three strategic priorities.

') Strategy one: Create a frame­work for responsible growth. Strategy two: Enhance the awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the ACE Basin. Strategy three: Promote envi­ronmentally-compatible business development. "Working in locally-led task

groups, community residents have forged an action agenda to build a vibrant economy while preserving our natural and cultural heritage," said Gene Butler, Director of the Colleton County Resource and Development Board.

"Under each of the three strate­gies, we have identified a number of action steps as well as lead organi­zations and other supporting groups to implement each action step. Among our highest priorities are a comprehensive land use plan and

,supportive county ordinance and a world-class visitor/interpretive center in the ACE Basin near U.S. Highway 17."

Other priority actions recom­mended by the Forum include: development of an integrated eco­nomic development, tourism and resource management plan, desig­nation of a portion of Highway 17 as the "ACE Basin Scenic Park­way," implementation ofa-rails-to­trails project, development of pri­mary and secondary environmental and heritage education programs and creation of a development planning process and initial business feasibility plans for natural re­source-based products.

Persons wishing more informa­tion on the Forum or a copy of the Forum's Strategic Plan should contact the Development Board at

1(803)549-9597. Fe

Artist Jerry Radecke explains his painting technique to South Carolina Jr. Duck Stamp winners and their parents. Four professional artists spent a day last February at Donnelley WMA meeting with student artists in a unique national program. The event was sponsored in part by the Southeastern Wildlife Expo.

Funding Approved for

ACE Basin Refuge

The ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge could in­crease in scope thanks to a

recent $3 million appropriation. The Senate Interior Appro­

priations subcommittee reached agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on which of the nation's 508 refuges would receive funds to purchase land in 1996.

The refuge will use the money to purchase land along the Combahee River in Beaufort County, said Donny Browning, refuge manager.

"Negotiations are under way with willing landowners, he said, but it's too soon to know what land and how many acres the refuge may obtain."

"We could add approximately 2,000 acres or more," Browning said.

All the new land will be open to the public for uses that are compat­ible with wildlife management such as hunting, fishing, bird watching and nature photography.

The 11,019-acre refuge, in Colleton, Beaufort and Charleston counties, now includes about 6,450 acres along the Edisto River and the remainder along the Combahee River.

That Combahee Unit could reach 18,000 acres, under the origi­nal refuge plan.

"The ACE Basin is a valuable refuge and must be protected," said U. S. Sen. Fritz Hollings, who previously had secured $11. 7 5 million to purchase ACE Basin lands.

The S.C. Democrat had been pushing for $3 million more in the Senate for nearly a year. The Sen­ate Interior Appropriations Bill included the ACE refuge money but the House version did not and budget negotiations did not resolve the disagreement.

In an unprecedented move, Congress asked Interior Secretary Bruce Babbitt to recommend projects and the amount of money

--------------------------------------C)~

f-each refuge should receive. Babbitt chose 19 ofthe country's 508 ref­uges and placed the ACE Basin refuge near the top of the list for Land and Water Conservation Fund appropriations.

Browning said use has grown steadily at the refuge since the first parcel was purchased in September of 1990. More people come each month to watch birds and enjoy nature, he said.

ACE Basin Attracts Nesting

Wading Birds

During the spring of 1996, The ACE Basin supported 76 colonies of 12 wading

bird species, 41 percent of the state's total.

Woodstork nests in the ACE Basin in 1996 reached a record high 0/953.

A single colony of white ibis contained 11,934 nests, the largest wading bird colony in South Caro­lina.

Two new nesting areas of endangered wood storks were dis­covered, with a record high of 953 total nests and the production of an estimated 2,100 chicks fledged from the Basin's seven colonies._ • ~

The refuge also has waterfowl hunting and public deer hunts with primitive weapons, for archers and for mobility-impaired hunters. "The hunts have gone over great," Browning said.

The refuge is open to visitors during daylight hours every day except during deer hunts. People can walk on a number of roads, built before the refuge purchased the former plantations. A public

Summer Interns In The ACE

C lemson University Wild life Biology students Emily Cummings and

Jason Peeples .spent this past sum­mer as interns for the Department of Natural Resources on Donnelley and Bear Island WMAs.

Working with wildlife techni­cians and biologists, the students gained valuable experience and insight into the everyday world of natural resource management.

Emily and Jason checked wood duck boxes, relocated nuisance

use plan, now being developed, will include trails, Browning said.

The entrance to the Edisto Unit is in southern Charleston County. 1, A sign pointing the route to the refuge is at the flashing caution light at the intersection of S.C. Routes 174 and 164 in Adams Run.

Adapted/rom an article by Lynne Langley o/the Charleston Post­Courier Fe

Canada geese, participated in wild­life surveys, entered harvest data and assisted in installing water control structures.

They also planted agricultural crops, controlled nuisance vegeta­tion and maintained dikes and roads.

Established in the late 1980's the Summer Intern Program is a cooperative program between Clemson University and the Depart­ment of Natural Resources. It provides undergraduate students in wildlife and fisheries the opportunity to gain practical experience in their chosen fields. Approximately 20 students participate in the program each summer. R

Intern Emily Cummings, a Clemson University wildlife biology student, checks a wood duck box.

Donnelley WMA Timber Sale

W hite Wood Inc. of Walterboro has pur­chased 6,000 cords of

pine pulpwood from 703 acres of Splanted pine trees on Donnelley Wildlife Management Area.

Carter Logging of Walterboro is conducting the harvesting opera-

Atlantic Sturgeon Tagged In

Edisto River

M ore than 450 juvenile Atlantic sturgeon have been tagged in the

Edisto River in 1996, after SCDNR Marine Division shad biologists located a concentration of sturgeon near Jehossee Island.

South Carolina's commercial ~fishery for these large fish, a prime source of caviar, was halted indefi­nitely in 1986 after populations declined dramatically.

tion by removing every third row of trees. Thinning will improve the growth of the remaining trees by releasing them from competition. Habitat will be improved by in­creased sunlight reaching the forest

. floor and stimulating the growth of vegetation beneficial to wildlife.

However, biologists monitoring American shad populations in the Edisto began to net small Atlantic sturgeon in 1994 and 1995 and have continued in 1996 to sample this population.

An abundance of amphipods about 18 river miles from the ocean between Bear Island WMA and Jehossee Island, in the nutrient-rich upper limit of saltwater intrusion, concentrates young sturgeon in this area.

The abundance of one-year fish in the Edisto suggests to biologists that a spawning population of adult fish remains in the . --nver.~

Donnelley WMA property manager, Greg Hudson (left), observes a newly-created wildlife opening with Rick Carter (center) a/Carter Logging, and Rick Cain a/White Wood, Inc.

Proceeds from the sale will be utilized for operating and capital expenses on the management area. Conservation properties in the ACE Basin support the local economy by providing a steady stream of forest products to local companies.

Fe

South Fenwick Easement

Fenwick Properties L. L. C. of Char1e~ton has donated a conservatIon easement on a

45-acre tract of land on South Fenwick Island located between the Ashepoo and South Edisto rivers.

The easement, held by the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, allows for the construction of a main house and guest house, but limits development by prohibiting subdivision. Water quality and scenic vistas are protected through a 100-foot buffer along the water­ways . • t=:;

-------------------------------0

~6E; Conservation Sites

Public Sites Bear Island Wildlife Management Area (est. 1953)

Springfield Marsh (1987), Sampson Island (1988), Cut Marsh (1989)

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area (1992)

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge Bonny Hall Club (1990), Grove Plantation (1991), Bonny Hall Plantation (1992), Combahee Fields (1993), lehossee Island (1993), Auldbrass Tract (1995)

ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Warren Island (1988), Big Island (1988), Ashe Island (1989), Beet Island (1989), Bolder Island (1990), Otter Island (1993), South Williman Island (1994)

Edisto Beach State Park (est. 1936)

Hunting Island State Park (est. 1938)

Sub-total

Private Sites

Acres

12,055

8,048

11,019

11,942

1,255

5,000

49,319

Conservation Easements 39,395 Botany Bay Island (1987), Hope Plantation (1988), Will town Bluff Plantation (1990), Church Tract (1990), Cheeha-Combahee Plantation (1991), Richardson Tract (1992), Godfrey Tract (1991), McMillian Tract (1991), Pon Pon Plantation (1992), Ashepoo Plantation (1993), Fenwick Island (1993), Combahee Plantation (1994), Musselboro Island (1994), Oak Island (1994), Little Palmetto Island (\994), Prospect Hill (1995), Rose Hill (\995), Plum Hill (\995), Auldbrass Plantation (\995), Parker's Ferry Planation (1995), Tomotley Planation (1995), Auldbrass Club (1995), Ivanhoe Tract (1996), South Fenwick (1996)

Deed Restrictions Hannahan Tract (1993), duPont Tract (\993)

243

Organization Ownership 10,643 Great Swamp and Ivanhoe Tract (TNC, 1989), Nemours Planation Wildlife Foundation (1995), Sanctuary Limited Tract (J995)

Management Agreements Westvaco (1991)

Other Botany Bay Plantation, Bailey Island (1996)

Sub-total

TOTAL

! Uucb Unll fl:'ll ltd

The .. tt Nallll'l!~ consenrll1o/

Editor's Note FS91CiEi

+ Privale Landowners

17,912

5,523

73,716

123.035

ACE Basin Cu"ent Events is a product of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources' ACE Basin Committee. This committee integrates the comprehensive habitat protection and enhancement concept to the ACE Basin Project with appropriate resource management responsibilities of the Department's various Divisions.

Current Events is published twice annually and is intended to inform the public of the Depanment's role as a member of the ACE Basin Task Force as well as communicate overall activities and cooperative accom­plishments of other Task Force members including: Ducks Unlimited, Private Landowners, The Nature Conservancy and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Address correspondence to: ACE Basin Project, SCDNR, Rt. I, Box 25, Green Pond, S.C. 29446. All articles may not necessarily represent views of the Department.

Public Lands in the ACE Basin

Bear Island WMA Hunting - Archery and gun hunts for deer;

waterfowl hunting by drawing; dove and small game hunts also scheduled. *

Fishing - Fish and blue crabs can be harvested from impoundments from April 1 to Sept. 30.

Camping - Primitive facilities available for deer hunters and conservation groups by appointment.

General Public Use - Designated areas open for bird watching, photography and wildlife observation from Jan. 21 through Oct. 31. Mon.-Sat.

Donnelley WMA Hunting - Archery and gun hunts (drawing

only) for deer; waterfowl and turkey hunts by drawing; dove and small game hunts scheduled. *

General Public Use - Designated trails; Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., closed on Sunday and during special hunts.

For more information on Bear Island WMA and Donnelley WMA call

(803) 844-8957.

ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve

Research - Support and facilities are provided for qualified scientists to study estuaries and coastal ecosystems.

Education - Education cruises, marsh classroom advent~res, workshops and training sessions provided to organized groups.

General Public Use - Accessible by boat; primitive camping in specified areas; some restrictions.

For more Information call (803) 762-5400.

ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge

Hunting - Archery, primitive weapons hunts for deer. Waterfowl hunts in designated areas.

General Public Use - Open for public use except during scheduled hunts.

For more information call (803) 889-3084.

Office hours - 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (* See SCDNR current Hunting and

Fishing Rules and Regulations).a

e~-----------------------------

Waterfowl Habitat Management Workshop

Wildlife managers from the Combahee River drainage met recently

at Cheeha-Combahee Plantation for a Waterfowl Habitat Management Workshop sponsored by Ducks Unlimited.

Presentations focused on fine tuning management techniques to maximize the productivity of the local wintering waterfowl habitat.

Wildlife biologists from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, Ducks Unlimited, and The Nature Conservancy discussed annual management cycles for fresh, brackish, and saline wetlands.

Kenny Williams of Ducks Unlimited led a discussion of the

Students Teaching Students:

Conservation for the Future

Twelve students from through out South Carolina recently participated in a unique

program, "Students Teaching Stu­dents," a week-long camp about coastal wetlands and the problems facing these remarkable areas.

The ACE Basin National Estua­rine Research Reserve, the SCDNR and the US Fish and Wildlife Ser­vice sponsored the program.

Participants returned to their 1 )communities with an increased

awareness of wetland conservation to pass on to other students and community leaders.

Lew Crouch, manager ofCheha­Combahee Plantation, and Kenny Williams of Ducks Unlimited discuss the management of waterfowl impoundments.

The program began at the North Inlet- Winyah Bay NERR outside of Georgetown and included activi­ties at Palmetto Islands County Park, Donnelley WMA, The Marine Resources Center in Charleston, Colleton State Park, the ACE Basin NERR, and USC Beaufort's Pritchards Island facility.

Students were given hands on experience in diverse topics includ­ing wetlands conservation, alligator and sea turtle biology and conserva­tion, marine animals, salt marsh ecology, and barrier island dynam­ICS.

"Since students often learn more from their peers than from formal classroom instruction, this type of program has been quite effective in promoting a steward­ship ethic in our schools," said ACE Basin NERR Education Coor­dinator Whit McMillian.

"The ACE Basin NERR recog­nizes the need for programs of this

various management problems and potential solutions. This exchange of ideas and information will enable managers to improve the quality of wintering habitat along the Combahee River.

The Combahee River has a rich tradition of waterfowl usage. Dur­ing the 20th Century large acreages of former rice fields have been intensively managed for wintering waterfowl and hunting opportuni­ties.

The area suffered from the low waterfowl populations of the late 80's and early 90's. Although waterfowl populations across North America are the highest in recent memory, ducks still have not re­turned in appreciable numbers to the Combahee River. By concen­trating on habitat improvements, managers hope more waterfowl will return to the area. .J!'$

sort to encourage conservation in future generations and to encourage these students toward conservation related careers. ;;:e

Beach seining was one of the many activities included in a week-long "Students Teaching Students" program held this summer in the ACE Basin.

--------------------------------8

Coastal Ecotourism Operators Participate in Workshops

Edisto Beach State Park have as­sisted participants in pulling a 30-foot seine net through the surf zone and then identifying the creatures that are captured. A series of ecotourism work

shops sponsored by the South Carolina Depart­

ment of Natural Resources, U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, South Carolina Nature Based Tourism Association and the ACE Basin NERR were held in three locations along the coast.

These well-attended workshops were designed to help nature-based tourism operators and business owners to understand coastal wet­lands, and the research and protec­tion efforts that are ongoing.

The first workshop was held at the Waddell Mariculture Center in Bluffton, the second at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrell's Inlet and the final one at the Marine Resources Center in Charleston. All of the

S.c. Department of Natural Resourees Dr. James A. Timmerman. Jr., Exec. Director John E. Frampton, ACE Basin Task Force

ACE Basin Committee Mike McKenzie, Committee Chairman Dean Harrigal, Project Coordinator Pete Laurie, Editor - Conservation, Education and

Communication David Allen - Freshwater Fisheries Section Michelle Dyer - Land Resources Joe Hamilton - Wildlife Management Section Sally Murphy - Wildlife Diversity Section Mike Prevost - The Nature Conservancy ~~)

Graphic Design Karen Swanson - Marine Resources Division

Funding provided by the , Harry R.E. Hampton Memorial WildlifeFund,lnc. !--Id~groo

~ ... J2'lIlNl t.~ Printed On Recycled Paper

Total Cost - $1 ,430.29; Total Copies -7,500; Cost per Copy - $.19

workshops featured speakers from the SCDNR and other agencies such as the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

"Ecotourism is a growing indus­try state-wide as well as in the ACE Basin," said Whit McMillian.

"Informed tour operators help achieve the goals of conservation and promote stewardship to a di­verse audience of visitors and resi­dents alike. Cooperation between government agencies and private businesses has been and continues to be an important part of the ACE Basin project and one of the goals for the NERR outreach programs."

~

Family Programs at Edisto Beach

V isitors to Edisto Beach State Park recently have been able to see first hand

a variety of local marine animals. Staff from the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve and the

ACE Basin Current Events~

The programs, scheduled on several weekends throughout the summer, appeal to all ages.

"Kids are amazed at being able to hold a fish and then return it unharmed to the water," said ACE Basin NERR Education Coordina­tor, Whit McMillan.

"Parents are interested in the life history, coloration patterns and feeding behaviors of the fish, crabs and other creatures that are cap­tured. It really is a family program."

Staff hope that by increasing awareness of marine animals people visiting local beaches will not fear creatures they encounter and will remember to be better stewards of South Carolina's coastal resources.

Edisto Beach State Park offers a variety of educational activities in the summer, including programs on sea turtles, crabs, and many more. For more information contact Rob Achenberg at the park (803) 869-2756. The ACE Basin NERR offers educational activities year round. For information on NERR activities contact Whit McMillan at (803)762-5437.~

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources Rt. 1, Box 25

Bulk Rate U.S. Postage

PAID Permit No. 176

Walterboro, SC 29488

Green Pond, S.c. 29446

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion or age. Direct all inquiries to the Office of Human Resources, P.O, Box 167, Columbia, S.c. 29202.

o~-----------------------------