Staff Writer
rseaborn@pickenssentinel.com
PICKENS COUNTY - The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources has purchased 63 acres of land in the Jocassee Gorges area, adding to the 33,000 acre tract of Wildlife Management Area already in their possession.
"This is extremely valuable land, developmental-wise," said Brett Witt, a DNR spokesperson. "We are extremely happy to have been able to acquire it."
The property, located on a peninsula on Lake Jocassee and surrounded by the WMA, is filled with rare species of wildlife and plants, he said.
"This land is irreplaceable," he said. "It is a pristine area that needs to be preserved."
Crescent Resources, a division of Duke Energy, in a partnership with DNR, sold the 63 acre tract to DNR for $37,980, he said.
"Any time we can get into a partnership such as this, we will jump at the chance," Witt said. "The DNR is always looking into acquiring and preserving property."
Under the guidelines of WMA, the Jocassee Gorges property will be available to the public for hiking and some hunting opportunities, he said.
The smaller tract has about a mile of shoreline along Lake Jocassee and offers views of the surrounding lakes and mountains, he said.
The property, in its entirety, contains 3,000 foot mountain peaks, forests and many waterfalls, he said.
"We welcome this important addition to South Carolina's Jocassee Gorges property," said DNR Director John Frampton. "Crescent Resources sold this tract to the citizens of South Carolina rather than develop it.
"This tract, if developed, would have greatly impacted the beauty and natural habitat of the Lake Jocassee area," he said.
Crescent Resources contributed to the state in facilitating the transaction of the property, he said.
The land management and real estate development company, based in Charlotte and which has holdings in ten other states, is committed to protecting the environment, said
Jim Short, president of Crescent Resources' Land Management Division.
The property, governed by DNR, will only enhance the quality of life for those residents living in areas near Crescent owned property, he said.
"This tract is a natural addition to Jocassee Gorges," he said. "Now it will remain undisturbed so the public can enjoy it for generations."
In 1998 and again in 1999, the state was able to purchase 33,000 acres of Jocassee Gorges land from Crescent Resources and developed the Wildlife Management Area.
Although DNR is not actively pursuing the acquisition of additional land in that area, the department would consider any future offers to purchase the land, Witt said.
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