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Forest Sale May Ignite Growth: Scenery of Property Near Oconee State Park Might Help Attract

Posted on: Wednesday, 15 February 2006, 06:00 CST

By Sammy Fretwelland Joey Holleman, The State, Columbia, S.C.

Feb. 15--A federal plan to sell national forest property could bring development to the mountains near Oconee State Park -- one of South Carolina's most visible and popular natural areas.

The U.S. Forest Service is considering selling more than 400 acres of federally owned land about a mile from the mountain park north of Walhalla, according to federal records reviewed Tuesday by The State newspaper.

About 45 tracts in the Sumter and Francis Marion national forests are under consideration for sale. It's part of next year's federal budget proposal to sell about 300,000 acres nationwide. Proceeds would go to rural schools across the country.

In South Carolina, the property ranges from remote Lowcountry swamps to more visible land along Upstate highways, federal records show.

All told, about 4,600 of the state's 629,000 acres of national forest land would be sold.

Opponents -- including state officials, nature lovers and even real estate agents -- say the plan would work against long-standing conservation efforts.

"In a day and age where we look very closely at trying to protect and preserve unique pieces of South Carolina, this goes contrary to what we're trying to do, particularly in a place like Oconee," said Phil Gaines, an assistant director in the state parks department.

Supporters of selling the national forest land say it could help the economy of some poorer areas like McCormick County, where almost half the land is owned by federal or state entities.

Near McCormick, the federal proposal would open more than 660 acres of public property to private ownership -- including about 392 acres between the town of McCormick and Thurmond Lake. That's near the Savannah Lakes Village residential community, which has given the struggling county a major economic boost in recent years.

"Anything President Bush or members of Congress can do to free up land would be good for McCormick County," county administrator Bruce Cooley said. "We definitely need more land on our tax rolls."

Of the land under consideration for sale, the Oconee County property is among the most attractive parcels for new homes, condominiums or a golf course.

Unlike many lands in South Carolina's national forests, the mountain woodlands are seen by thousands of tourists -- including potential buyers -- each year.

Tourists often drive north on S.C. 107 through the heart of the Sumter National Forest to view the fall colors, visit Oconee State Park or raft on the Chattooga River. The scenery and the accessibility of the land would make the 470 acres of Forest Service land easy to market, real estate agents said Tuesday.

"It would sell overnight," said Walhalla real estate agent John Powell, who opposes the sale. But "people are not going to drive here to see condominiums or houses or subdivisions."

The federal plan, announced last week, has produced a flurry of phone calls and e-mails to the U.S. Forest Service offices in South Carolina -- many from people opposing the idea, said Stephanie Neal Johnson, a forest service spokeswoman.

Among those critical of the proposal are environmental groups, as well as the S.C. Department of Natural Resources and the S.C. Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. Losing woodlands near Oconee State Park could ruin the experience for many, critics said.

Oconee State Park, built in the 1930s, contains lakes, camp sites and scenic vistas of the southern Appalachian Mountains. It is largely surrounded by the Sumter National Forest.

According to federal records, the property potentially up for sale includes four tracts in Oconee County that surround a privately owned parcel.

The four parcels that could be sold are next to other property the Forest Service has considered getting rid of adjacent to Oconee State Park, records show.

Johnson said the plan to sell national forest property is subject to change and must undergo a public comment period -- and possibly environmental studies.

The Forest Service wants to sell property it does not need, Johnson said. Many properties are outside national forest boundaries or are surrounded by private land.

Gwen Fowler, a real estate agent whose family has lived in Oconee County for generations, said national forest land boosts the value of that private property.

"This is like selling an heirloom your grandmother gave to you. I've had calls from people all day upset about this."

Reach Fretwell at (803) 771-8537 or sfretwell@thestate.com [mailto:sfretwell@thestate.com]. Reach Holleman at (803) 771-8366 or jholleman@thestate.com [mailto:jholleman@thestate.com].

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Copyright (c) 2006, The State, Columbia, S.C.

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Source: The State (Columbia, S.C.)

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