State / Commonwealth / Territory - Marine Managed Areas (MMAs)

Highlighted MMAs: Heritage Trust Program Areas
South Carolina Heritage Trust Program (§51-17-10 et seq)

The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources' Heritage Trust Program was created in 1976, the first such program in the nation. It was to preserve those natural features and cultural remains that are quickly disappearing as the state's population increases in size. The program's purpose is to inventory, evaluate and protect the elements considered the most outstanding representatives of our state heritage.

The Heritage Trust Program, part of the Wildlife Diversity Section, is funded by appropriations, the Endangered Wildlife Fund, the Endangered Species License
Plate and by a small portion of revenue collected from a real estate documentary stamp tax. The income is deposited into a Heritage Land Trust Fund and used for acquisition of significant natural and cultural areas.

Heritage Trust staff, in concert with related agencies and personnel, search the state for rare plants, animals, birds, archaeological sites and other significant features of South Carolina's heritage. The goal is to permanently protect the best examples of these features through a system of heritage preserves established for the benefit of present and future generations. The Program is overseen by the Heritage Trust Advisory Board, which was created by law to make recommendations concerning protection of land under the Heritage Trust. No such protection can be initiated without the approval of the Advisory Board. Their expertise and broad representation assure that time and funds are devoted to the most urgent and worthy projects.

In 1996, the Heritage Trust Program protected 68 rare elements. These elements included 40 rare plant species, 17 rare plant communities, two rare animal species, one rare bird species and eight high priority archaeological sites. Classification of the elements produced 12 that are endangered, four threatened and 44 of special concern. More than $3.3 million was spent to purchase eight different properties at an average cost of $702 per acre. A total of 4,911 acres was protected during the year. These efforts served to establish five new heritage preserves in five different counties and increase three preserves in three other counties. In addition, a conservation easement was signed protecting an important archaeological site.

During the last 10 years, 362 rare elements have been permanently protected by acquisition of more than 47,000 acres. A total of $19.4 million was spent to purchase these properties at an average cost of $507 per acre. In view of these accomplishments, we believe we have been successful and efficient in achieving the objectives of the Heritage Trust Program.

Relevant Agencies/Programs:

Marine Managed Area Systems:

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