The University of South Carolina Development Foundation wants to sell 1200 acres of protected land, known as the Prince George tract, in Pawleys Island for development. The Foundation got this tract free and now they want to sell it for financial gain. The tract extends from the ocean across Hwy 17 almost to the Waccamaw River; it lies in the watershed of the pristine North Inlet estuary where USC has a marine laboratory and the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve is located. A large part of the property is under a conservation easement held by the SC Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism (PRT), but the Foundation and PRT plan to dissolve the easement to get a higher price for the property. Developing the Prince George tract will negatively impact the North Inlet estuary, its fisheries, ecosystem and water quality. Development will destroy wetlands, and the habitat of the endangered Red-Cockaded woodpecker.
We can’t let the University and the Foundation sell this land, impact the North Inlet estuary and its pristine waters. Sign the petition and tell the USC Development Foundation to keep their commitment to protect the 1200 acre Prince George tract.
The University of South Carolina Foundation intends on placing Prince George tract on the market in order to sell it to developers. Prince George tract is located north, and within the watershed, of an important estuary, the Belle W. Baruch Foundation estuary. We need to save it!
