More than 1,400 acres of vacant, mostly forested land are being protected near a well-known wildlife refuge to prevent sprawl that is advancing along the South Carolina coast from Charleston toward Georgetown.
The Lowcountry Land Trust said it has secured agreements from a landowner not to allow large-scale development in a two-mile stretch along U.S. 17 just above McClellanville, a picturesque fishing village of live oak trees, old homes and shrimp docks. A news release said nearly a mile of frontage along the South Santee River also is part of the deal.
The area being protected, a visible gateway for travelers headed down U.S. 17 to Charleston, is near the Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge and the Francis Marion National Forest, which are near pockets of private land that could be built on. Building near these protected areas could bring unwanted pollution and traffic congestion, while ruining the view of natural scenery, conservationists fear…