Gift will preserve 12,488 acresNorfolk Southern donates tract to land trust By Brian Hicks (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
The Post and Courier Although southern Dorchester County is one of the fastest-growing areas in the state, there is one big patch of land in the middle of the county that will never see a subdivision or a strip mall. Norfolk Southern has donated a conservation easement to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust that will protect nearly 12,500 acres of the Brosnan Forest from development. Forever. Land trust officials say it is likely the largest single easement granted in state history. Lewis Hay, director of land protection for the land trust, said the easement is a major environmental coup for South Carolina. Hay said Norfolk Southern had the idea to conserve the land and has been quite literally driving this train. "They've had their hearts in the right place from the start," Hay said. "They wanted the easement to be absolutely pristine." The deal is simple. Norfolk Southern still owns the land and has the right to use it for recreational purposes (there is a corporate retreat nearby) and to harvest some timber, but gives up the right to develop it. By granting a conservation easement to the Lowcountry Open Land Trust, a nonprofit conservation organization dedicated to preserving natural and rural land along the South Carolina coast, the company has basically said the land can't be built on, even if it's sold. It is, most local environmentalists say, a huge deal, and it's an even bigger tract. The 12,488-acre chunk of the Brosnan Forest being preserved is larger than the Charleston peninsula and nearly as large as the nearby Francis Beidler Forest, which is owned and operated by the National Audubon Society. Norfolk Southern and its predecessor companies have owned the land for 160 years — a lush forest of long-leaf pine and a habitat for the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. "We recognized that Brosnan Forest is a unique property teeming with biodiversity in the heart of a significant ecological environment," said Blair Wimbush, vice president of real estate and corporate sustainability officer at Norfolk Southern. "We wanted to ensure that we could preserve the long-term health of this irreplaceable natural resource, so we began looking for the right partner to be stewards of the land, and we chose the Lowcountry Open Land Trust." Gov. Mark Sanford called it "incredibly significant from an ecological standpoint," and conservationists also had high praise for the railroad. "It's not often we see that kind of environmental stewardship from a corporation," said Nancy Vinson, program director for the Coastal Conservation League. "They have set the bar higher for corporate America." Hay said the significance of the easement is two-fold: It protects the natural environment for animals, both native and migratory, as well as the ACE Basin watershed. Every time it rains, the pristine forest replenishes the water table with pure, clean water. Rain trickling through the forest, environmentalists will tell you, is much cleaner than water that has sifted through some parking lot. Will Haynie, executive director of the land trust, called the easement "one of the finest acts of corporate citizenship in the history of our state." And Larry Hargett, chairman of the Dorchester County Council, said this will help the county protect some of its land from development. "It's all about preserving a beautiful tract of land," he said. "I think this helps us a lot." Reach Brian Hicks at 937-5561 or bhicks@postandcourier.com |
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Comments
This article has 26 comment(s)
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 5:49 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Uh ...oh !!
Very rarely does a RAILROAD do... SOMETHING..for Nothing !!
I smell...... something ??? PAYOLA !!!!
You can bet with a wink and smile....their hand is in another cookie jar ....somewhere !!!
Mass transit ??.... Mass transit ?!! What rails will they USE ???
I wonder who will control the lines for the NEW JASPER PORT ??!!!
POST and Courier....YOU STINK !!! Brian Hicks...are you going to FALL for this??!
TAXPAYERs....beware !!
I wonder what money will be used to build the track for the NEW PORT ??!! ALL the WHILE the tricounty regions continues to be LAND LOCKED to further developement to keep property values inflated!!
Citizens..... LOOK OUT !!!
This WILL COST US ...DEARLY !!!!
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 5:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Why would a railroad need to OWN ...that much land for their track!! Even for a retreat ?? If you had STOCK in Norfolk South. wouldn't you want it to be SOLD??
SOMETHING IS NOT ...RIGHT !!!
I am all for conservation;.....BUT this conservation group is washing the funds and hands of some backslappers on this DEAL !!
BEWARE....TAXPAYERS !!!
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 6 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Lowcountry Open Land Trust....WHO is on this BOARD and DO they FUND anyone's campaigns??
What districts do they FUND?
Are there any railroads in those districts???
ChrisPIA.....where are you? Your services may be needed!!
Post and Courier......WATCHDOG ?????
Posted by IHATEINBEV on August 5, 2008 at 6:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ARE YOU PEOPLE CRAZY. ANY LARGE TRACTS OF PRESERVED LAND ARE GREAT FOR ALL OF US. EVEN IF THEY HAVE SOME OTHER SECRET AGEND, TO MAKE MONEY, FOR THERE SHAREHOLDERS, AT LEAST THEY HAVE GIVEN THE PUBLIC SOMETHING PRISTINE. I WOULD THINK THAT ANYBODY WHO IS ACTUALLY FROM HERE, WOULD WELCOME THE IDEA OF PRESERVING SOME WILDERNESS AND REALIZING THAT DEVELOPMENT IS NOT ALWAYS A GOOD THING.
Posted by WhoCares on August 5, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RE zoomru: err...can anyone say idiot???
Posted by palmetto294 on August 5, 2008 at 7:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't care about agendas, this means that urban sprawl won't be in my front yard, at least not in the forseeable future!! Wonderful!! (I live on the western side of Brosnan Forest)
Posted by a_set_love on August 5, 2008 at 7:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay, so they've done something worthwhile with the property "THEY" owned.
Whats to protect the "TRUST" from Greedy, Slimey politicians trying to break the "TRUST"?
Remember Mr. Joseph P. Riley, Jr., mayor of the City of Charleston and the Dill sisters tract on James Island.
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 7:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
People....... I am for conservation !!!!
Don't take this the wrong WAY ! WE DESERVE THE WHOLE TRUTH AND....NOTHING BUT THE TRUTH !!!
We are getting only....half the STORY !!! Give it some THOUGHT and it will make your BLOOD BOIL !!!
THIS "NEWS" Paper ....STINKS !!!
Just imagine that you are a stock holder ??? 12k acres at 20k per acre !!!! or whatever the rate is NOW ??
Do they receive a tax CREDIT?? ...WHAT?
They are getting SOMETHING ??? WHAT !!??
I keep thinking of the MOVIE..."THERE WILL BE BLOOD" with Daniel Day Lewis !!!
I wonder if MIKE ROSE or Mr "Wild Bill" Collins has any insight ??!!
TAXPAYERS NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS IS REALLY GOING TO COST THEM..... BRIAN ??!!!
Posted by rutide on August 5, 2008 at 8:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I would personally like to thank NS Railroad for this. I wish MWV would take some time to consider some of their properties even half the size for conservation in the rural areas.
The rail company probably will get some significant federal tax breaks for "gifting" this land for the next 15 years. There could also have been some private money involved but I promise that no local funds were used in the aquiring of this conservation easement (no I am not involved with the LCOLT).
I don't believe there is anything fishy here except zoomru's posts.
If you or anyone want infomation I'm sure the conservation easement documents will be available for public open records when the deal is completed.
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 8:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well......lets just think for a moment!!!
They sell the land BUT still get use rights AND they still use the RAIL easement!
Then let consider...JASPER PORTS DEAL !! Lets use an analogy !! How many millions will it cost to run Light rail between Charleston and Summerville in just track and LAND?? Well ...let use those figures to connect how many LINES from the PORT to the MAIN LINE ???
WHOLLY COW... We tax payers are going to get CREAMED even if we are ASKED to cough up only HALF in Taxpayer funds !!!
CITIZENS....do you realize this ??!!
I wonder if TOM DAVIS' run for ol' SEAT #46 has anything to do with rights of weigh and easements???
I wonder what "WILD BILL" Collins ...KNOWS?? He's a news MAN !!
Something is just NOT RIGHT !!!
Some HOW....I smell these actions as being a front to actually result in TAXPAYER funds being used to front PRIVATE business and reduce PRIVATE RISK at the TAXPAYERS expense!! JUST TELL US THE ..TRUTH !!!
I wonder if "NEW" lines will be awarded to supply OUR ..UPSTATE ??! IF so?? JUST tell us which districts benefit and at what cost??
Have LAND SPECULATORS already bought UP this land??? WHO are they? Are they related to ANY ...BOARD MEMBERS??
Brian........ Don't let these GEEZERS make you look like a ROOKIE !!!
Will the POST and Courier print the WHOLE STORY ?!?!
I don't mind LAND CONSERVATION...BUT when it is DONE by circumventing the PUBLIC's TRUST and ....VOTE !!??! AND AT THEIR TAX DOLLAR EXPENSE !!!
Uh...oh !!! I SMELL .....WHAT ?!??
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Use this analogy also.....
Just like all politicians funnel PORK thru Foundations to actually fund their re-election campaigns; they are using land swaps to do the SAME THING !! All the while using bond referendums and tax credits and earmarks (OUR TAX MONEY) to SUGAR the private companies with tax payer funds to build their infrastructure!!
Does the TAXPAYER share in any PROFITS on the BACK SIDE???
Most times the industrialists get tax BREAKS !!! Thereby taxpayers take it on the CHIN once MORE!!!
Less money for schools, FIRE HOSES, MASS TRANSIT ....!!!
CITIZENS...... grab your wallets !!!
Posted by localboy on August 5, 2008 at 8:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
zoomru is a nut case. Ever heard of tax breaks? Why did Bobby Ginn donate Cummings Point which he purchased for over 5 million to the City - tax breaks. While there may be another agenda at work on Morris Island - it will not have the 22 millionaires mansion built on the sand.
Brosnan Forest is what is is and has been so since my grandfather, dad and I used to fish there. Kudos to NS for the conservation easement.
Posted by OverHere on August 5, 2008 at 9:08 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Zoomru - How's that tin foil hat working out for you?
Posted by panasonic on August 5, 2008 at 9:53 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is good news for the entire tri-county area. It is also good that the land has been put in a conservation easement rather than it just becoming owned by the state. By allowing NS to use the property for retreat purposes, NS will take care of the property and manage the forest in the proper manner. NS likely has a forester that is responsible for not only growing timber but also managing the wildlife on the property.
zoomru, if you are so out done with the Post & Courier then start your own paper and do your own investigative journalism.
Posted by onedeep on August 5, 2008 at 9:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Zoomru: Also, lay off the ellipsis. Do you talk like that? If not, then don't write like that.
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 11:10 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"WILD BILL" COLLINS........ Just WHAT ..is your view of this CONSERVATION??
WE WANT YOUR VIEW ??
How is this going to impact TAX REVENUE for the COUNTY of DORCHESTER??
DID THE DORCHESTER COUNTY COUNCIL KNOW OF THIS...CONSERVATION?
How will they explain the LOSS of TAX REVENUE?? Will this mean that taxes will go UP even MORE for residents?? Was this piece of PROPERTY taxed as a FARM? or a RETREAT ??
"WILD BILL" ... you ROOTIN' .. TOOTIN' .. cowboy !! I wonder if Mr. Mike ROSE knew about this ...conservation? What is his view? Was there ANY PORK from ol' "DRUNK" RANDY that sealed this DEAL?? Did the Coastal Conservation League give funds to anyone's campaign in your area?? Why would they DO THAT ???
"WILD BILL" .. IT is time for YOU to SADDLE UP !! FORM a POSSE ! and ....WHAT ???
Don't let attorney MIKE ROSE get whiff of shenanigans and sue on the TAXPAYERS ...DIME !!!
Something....just doesn't SMELL...RIGHT?
Posted by jrico on August 5, 2008 at 11:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
zoomru, would you just...SHUT UP!
Posted by JF on August 5, 2008 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Riley loves to break Trusts and build ugly shopping centers, this might be next!!
Posted by doglover on August 5, 2008 at 11:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)
zoomru, let me ask a question,....... have you ever been to Brosnan Forrest? It in itself is the reason and only reason for such action by Norfolk Southern. It is truly a remarkable place, one that most pristine places in the southeast. I have had the pleasure on a couple different occasions and it is "beautiful". Move on to something you might know more about.
Posted by Reader on August 5, 2008 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Zoomru is an idiot.
I normally cannot stand it when posters comment about each other instead of the substance of the article, but his comments are consistently awful. Not only do they not make a lick of sense, they are unreadable. Or, as Zoomru would say:
Not only DO THEY not MAKE a lick of ..... SENSE, they are unreadable....???
When a landowner gives away the right to develop his land, the corresponding decrease in value is considered a donation to the charitable organization which receives it. For example, if my land is worthy $1,000,000 as is, and I give away the right to built tract housing on it to a conservation charity, the fair market value decreases to $200,000. The $800,000 self-imposed decrease is a charitable contribution which the donor can use when computing its taxes. This is no great mystery, and there is no hidden conspiracy behind any of it.
We should all be thankful that the railroad agreed to do this! If only Westvaco were such a good steward of its own land that it is selling off to mass housing developers.
Posted by schivah on August 5, 2008 at 12:05 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Ok, for starters, 1.zoomru, quit babbling, you're not making any sense 2. you evidentally have issues that don't have anything to do with this transaction and 2. have no real idea what just happened. Just keep pumping out those "everyone is out to get me" conspiracies zoom.
This is fantastic news for the entire state and especially Dorchester County residents. It will limit urban sprawl in an area that deperately needs it, assist endangered species as well a highly diverse necessary habitat and help keep the water table clean. Sure, norfolk southern probably gets some really nice federal tax deductions, big whoop. They should get something for their effort. There was nothing to stop them from splitting this land up and selling it off to the highest bidder for another 3000 home development project...-or four- (which I'm sure we'd all love!)
With a little homework I think you'd find that this was a private deal between a business and a conservation organization and that the easement on the property will prevent development forever regardless of who owns it, which county it's in or which city claims it. Face it zoom, someone in corporate America actually did the right thing for at least most of the right reasons (yes, it actually does happen on occasion). Kudos to Norfolk Southern and to the Locountry Open Land Trust.
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 12:32 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I may be an IDIOT ......
But ..
Did I PORK 100 THOUSAND dollars to bring GERMAN tourists to MYRTLE BEACH ?? LIke BARFIELD did?
DID I funnel money to FOUNDATIONs that my family members work for like US REP James "GRAND MASTER FLASH" Clyburn ...DID ??
This report leaves OUT the meat of the STORY!
WE need OFFIFCIALs who watch out for the SOUTH CAROLINA ..TAXPAYER !!
I AM ALL FOR CONSERVATION ! I LOVE SOUTH CAROLINA and have lived here ALL my life. I am tired of PRIVATE firms looking to the Government for taxpayer FUNDS to OFFSET their risk. Worse yet is using taxpayer funds instead of their OWN. Taxpayer funds that could be used for schools and FIRE HOSES.
We know that Norfolk-Southern will play a major Role in the Jasper Ports DEAL. Taxpayers need everything to be above board and transparent!!
This smells like PAYOLA !! When everyone is pumping a stock and everything looks good on the surface; what should SMART people DO ?!! When everyone in Dorchester is silent on this or in all agreement then there should be no reason to find out what Norfolk-Southern gets in return!! If I'm a home owner and my property taxes are going to be going up due to the fact that a large sum of LAND was turned into a Conservancy without a....VOTE ?!? Serious questions should be asked !!!
I don't trust ONE ...official in this entire STATE...... We have been repeatedly RAPED !!
This DEAL and the Jasper Port future go hand in hand.. The real Question is whose hands were shakin and how much was in them !!
RAILROADS are a business... SO ! How much is it going to REALLY COST US ALL ??!!
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 12:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If Norfolk-Southern and Mead-West-VACO want to be good STEWARDs; then they should want to close down OUR incinerator and LANDFILLs.....FOREVER !!
They could have invested money and partnered with Cities and Counties to buy PLASMA machines to turn ALL our trash into ENERGY to be SOLD back through the POWER GRID ! Everyone at the Coastal Conservation League should know of the Plasma machines by STARTECH at www.startech.net . These machines would generate 4 TAX revenue streams for the citizens of the LOWCOUNTRY. They could have used this tax revenue to BUY this FOREST outright from the RAILROAD !!
Newspapers in this STATE are used to keep the public in the dark. Stories like this are GREAT...we just need the WHOLE story !!
There are very interesting parcels that are being flushed through the conservation league ...as with any foundation...watch your WALLET !!
Posted by schivah on August 5, 2008 at 1:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Without your vote zoom? Since when do you get to vote on what a private landowner does with the private property that they have owned for over 160 years?
Also, you keep spouting about taxpayer money and how much this will cost us. Reader explained nicely how it works, the company gets a tax deduction for the dollar amount that the land value changes between what is was worth and what it is now worth. Your aggression and mistrust are misplaced and founded on sheer ignorance and wild speculation.
Thanks for playing, we have some lovely parting gifts for you including a copy of our home game.
Posted by zoomru on August 5, 2008 at 2:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I don't mind conservation.... I think this is a good DEED !!
BUT when PAYOLA is involved with a future EARMARK Lollipop that the citizens are unaware of?? or don't VOTE on.... Hmmm?
I think this is great....BUT what is on the BACKSIDE !!
Freight WILL be moved by RAIL ........ IN JASPER !
S 1447 Joint Resolution, By Thomas, Pinckney, Drummond, Land, Leventis, Moore,
Reese, Matthews, Patterson, Elliott, Rankin, O'Dell, Short, Hutto, Jackson,
Anderson, Malloy, Sheheen, Knotts and Williams
A JOINT RESOLUTION TO PROVIDE THAT THE STATE PORTS AUTHORITY SHALL SUBMIT TO
THE BUDGET AND CONTROL BOARD AND THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY BY SPECIFIED DATES A
FINANCIAL PLAN DETAILING THE ANTICIPATED COSTS AND EXPENSES ASSOCIATED WITH
THE DEVELOPMENT OF A NEW TERMINAL FACILITY IN JASPER COUNTY ON THE SAVANNAH
RIVER AND DETAILING THE SOURCES OF FUNDS BOTH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE TO MEET THESE
COSTS AND EXPENSES, AND TO REQUIRE APPROVAL OF THIS FINANCIAL PLAN BEFORE THE
NEW TERMINAL FACILITY MAY BEGIN TO BE DEVELOPED OR CONTRACTS ENTERED INTO FOR
ITS DEVELOPMENT.
Posted by WhoCares on August 6, 2008 at 6:48 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Either zoom is an idiot (as I surmised earlier) or he's just talking trash to get other people excited. I doubt the latter...I really don't think he's smart enough to do that.