Earlier this year, the Department of Natural Resources,

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1 Newsletter of the "\ shepoo, Combahee, Edisto Basin South Carolina Department of Natural Resources z -en CI m Purchase of Morgan Adds Key Property to ACE Basin Earlier this year, the Department of Natural Resources, after months of negotiations finally purchased the 4,489-acre Morgan, a significant property near the mouth of St. Helena Sound. Two federal agencies, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provided the $20.5 million purchase price. Sen. Fritz Hollings played an instrumental role in ~curing the federal funds. "We felt it imperative to preserve Morgan because of its strategic location in the ACE Basin and because of its potential for development," said Dr. Paul Sandifer, director of the DNR. A proposed $40 million development plan for the island's 400 acres of high ground would have created 64 residential lots, most with docks, impairing water quality in the sound, and greatly increasing boat traffic, said DNR officials. According to Dr. Joab M. Lesesne Jr, chairman of the S. C. Natural Resources Board, "Land conservation and habitat protection is the highest priority for our board and our efforts to acquire Morgan represent a great achievement for the citizens of South Carolina." Now part of the ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve, the island will remain preserved and undeveloped. --. The 4,489-acre Morgan includes extensive salt marshes and 400 acres of high ground (lower center). A planned development for the island would have created 64 residential lots. The inclusion of Morgan into the ACE Basin NERR now insures it permanent protection.

2 +- Since 1979, a Yemasseebased research company, LABS of Virginia, Inc. has leased the island from Morgan ers Ltd. as a breeding facility for rhesus macaques, a species of monkey. The 2,500 to 3,000 monkeys on the island are used by the U. S. Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Health for research in various medical facilities. The purchase of the island was contingent on the continuation of the lease, which expires at the end of An ecological evaluation will determine the pros and cons of keeping the monkeys on the island, and that will be weighed against the importance of medical research in childhood diseases, AIDS and the threat of bio-terrorism. Animal care technicians work on the island in a small office/laboratory complex. Rhesus monkeys, an Asian species, are about two feet tall and weigh up to 35 pounds. North Williman one r se no The island is closed to the public and to prevent trespass, DNR law enforcement officers will increase boat patrols of the area. Morgan can be reached only by boat. DNR officials are currently preparing a management plan for the island.;;;e Channel South Wllllman " Buzzard! 1 <a 'Warren Beet Ashe Recently protected Morgan, North Williman and Buzzard all add key elements to the ACE Basin NERR. North Williman adds 8,400 Acres to NERR The Nature Conservancy and Beaufort County in May jointly purchased North Willimam for $4 million, adding about 8,400 acres to the ACE Basin I National Estuarine Research Reserve. Beaufort County contributed $1 million from its Rural and Critical Lands Program. The island borders the Combahee River on the north and east and on the south and west the Coo saw and Bull rivers along with Schooner Channel and Williman and Wimbee creeks. The Conservancy anticipates transferring its 75 Habitat Update percent interest in the island to the DNR for management as part of the NERR, under the auspices of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Beaufort County will retain its 25 percent interest. Buzzard In a separate action, The Nature Conservancy and Beaufort County jointly purchased Buzzard, which is contiguous with North Williman. The 140-acre island contains only 12 acres of uplands, but i; left unprotected could have a negative impact on area protection efforts according to Conservancy officials. Jae.~

3 Friends of Edisto Conduct T Massive Cleanup Day '~st he non-profit group Friends of the Edisto (FRED) recently held its First Annual Stewardship Day, a massive litter cleanup through the river basin's nearly two million acres in 12 counties. More than 800 volunteers from civic, social and business organizations covered most public boat ramps, some highways and 85 miles of river to collect 45,221 pounds of litter. "The event was without a doubt a huge success," said Phillip Rand, chairman of the Stewardship Day. "FRED would like to thank all volunteers and sponsors for supporting the event and making it possible." In addition to the cleanup effort, the event helped educate citizens about watersheds and to foster a sense of pride in the river. An evening cookout was held at Colleton State Park with food, music and fun. The Second Annual Stewardship day is scheduled for March 15,2003. To find our more about FRED, contact their website at c::. More than 800 volunteers helped clean up the Edisto River during Friends of the Edisto's First Annual Stewardship Day. The SC Geological Survey returns to the northern ACE Basin to complete a geology map of the coastal and beach sediments. This information will be used to help use and protect the ACE Basin e

4 Former Cattle Pasture Now a Haven for Waterfowl and Wading Birds A l,soo-acre cattle pasture created just after World War II on Cheeha-Combahee Plantation, has now been turned into a more productive managed wetland that supports wintering waterfowl and nesting wading birds. In an attempt to make the plantation more financially self sufficient, earlier owners of the property had diked off a section of brackish tidal marsh, drained it and for about 15 years grazed several hundred head of cattle in the area. By 1962, prolonged drying of the soil greatly lowered the ph, killing the grass, and the owners abandoned cattle raising on what had become known simply as Magwood. However, using the same dikes, ditches and water control structures, the area was then managed as a waterfowl wintering area, attracting thousands of ducks as well as wading birds. In the early 1990's, the plantation changed ownership resulting in a renewed interest in wetland management, and extensive repairs to banks and installation of new water control structures. Magwood's significance as wetland habitat drew recognition from the drafters of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. In 2001, with a grant provided by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act and assistance from project partners, additional improvements were made to the old cow pasture. Miles of ditches dug 50 years earlier were renovated, new ditches excavated, and a new water control structure installed. Improvement in water quality and subsequent enhancement of wetland habitat conditions were noted almost immediately. Traditional migrants such as widgeon, gadwall, glossy ibis, American bittern, bald eagle and others continued. Last winter a newcomer arrived at Magwood: white pelicans. Spring and summer nesting increased for black-necked stilts, least bittens, willets and mottled ducks, as did feeding use by wood storks, black terns and Forster's terns. What once seemed a disastrous financial investment is now paying big dividends, for birds. J!l!!! A variety of waterfowl and wading birds such as endangered wood storks regularly feed informer cattle pasture at Cheeha-Combahee Plantation. ACE Basin Hosts COASTeam Workshop Seven CollelOll County mjddle and.h!gh sc~ 01 meet other criteria can receive three hours of professional teachers and three DNR staff parnclpated In a development credit. recent week-long COASTeam work hop that The recent workshop, held in the ACE Basin National provided instruction in the marine science principles of Estuarine Research Reserve at Bennett's Point, included geology, biology, chemistry, and physics and trained hands-on classroom and lab activities aligned to South participants in effective methods to bring activities and Carolina science curriculum standards, as well as several resources back to the classroom. field trips. COASTeam (Coastal and ocean Awareness for Funding for the workshop came from the DNR's ECO Southeastern Teachers) is a South Carolina Sea Grant (Educate Colleton Outdoors) project through the Gaylord Program affiliated with the College of Charleston. and Dorothy Donnelley Foundation, a non-profit organi- '-.oj} Teachers who attend a series of several workshops and zation dedicated to the preservation of natural lands and. habitats in the South Carolina Lowcountry. p:

5 ~ ~. Landowners Gather to Learn About Quail Management Once a common song of spring and summer, the familiar "bob-white" whistle has fallen silent over vast acreages where this "prince of game birds" once roamed. About 45 landowners and managers met on Nemours Plantation recently to hear from experts about how to make their lands more quail friendly. Billy Dukes, Small Game Project Supervisor for the DNR, gave an overview of quail decline. Conversion of small crop fields with brushy edges into large fields using clean farming practices, fields converted to pine plantations, fire ants, predators and loss of habitat to development have all played a role, Dukes explained. Landowners should begin with an assessment of their land followed by manipulation to produce nesting and brood rearing cover, escape cover, year-round foods, and loafing cover. Predator removal and fire ant eradication then should be addressed. Dr. Bill Palmer, Game Bird Research scientist for Tall Timbers Research Station described a four-part 'Wproach to quail management: providing cover for ' ~ Improved management could provide more habitat for the declining bob white quail. nesting, brood rearing and escape as well as supplemental feeding and nest predator management. Charles Truax of the Natural Resources Conservation Service explained the agency's wildlife habitat improvement program which provides funding to private landowners to improve quail habitat. Workshop participants toured Nemours to observe experimental plots used to evaluate local habitat management practices for quail. ;;e Public Lands in the ACE Basin Bear WMA Hunting - Archery and gun hunts for deer; waterfowl hunting by drawing; dove and small game hunts also scheduled. * Fishing - Fish and blue crabs can be harvested from impoundments from April 1 to Sept. 30. Camping - Primitive facilities available for deer hunters and conservation groups by appointment. General Public Use - Designated areas open for bird watching, photography and wildlife observation from Jan. 21 through Oct. 31. Mon.-Sat. Donnelley WMA Hunting - Archery and gun hunts (drawing only) for deer; waterfowl and turkey hunts by drawing; dove and small game hunts scheduled, * General Public Use - Designated trails; Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., closed on Sunday and during special hunts. For more information on Bear WMA and Donnelley WMA call (843) ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Research - Support and facilities are provided for qualified scientists to study estuaries and coastal ecosystems. Education - Education cruises, marsh classroom adventures, workshops and training sessions provided to organized groups. General Public Use - Accessible by boat; primitive camping in specified areas; some restrictions. For more Information call (843) ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge Hunting - Archery, primitive weapons hunts for deer. Waterfowl hunts in designated areas. General Public Use - Open for public use except during scheduled hunts. For more information call (843) Office hours - 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. (* See SCDNR current Hunting and Fishing Rules and Regulations)

6 Student Environmental Education Day Held at Donnelley WMA A bout 170 second- and third-grade students from Black Street Elementary in Walterboro spent a half-day at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area recently learning about wildlife and how to keep the environment cleaner. The students were taking part in SEED (Student Environmental Education Day) at DNR's Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. Educators and scientists talked with the students about fish, alligators, snakes, marine animals and non-point source pollution. Stacy Davis, second grade teacher at Black Street Elementary who organized the April 19 field trip, said the environmental education fit in well with what students are already studying at school. "Our science curriculum is habitat and how animals behave," Davis said, "and that was a lot of what was taught today. We've been looking at what animals need to survive and their life cycle. Third graders are also studying erosion, so the section on non-point source pollution related to that as well." BeBe Harrison, DNR aquatic education coordinator, said the SEED program was started so students and teachers in the community could get an understanding of what the DNR does and how diverse it is. "That way they will have a greater appreciation for their local environment and learn how to get involved," Harrison said. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, an 8,048- acre property strategically located in the center of the ACE Basin, is named in honor of internationally recognized conservationists Gaylord and Dorothy Donnelley. Donnelley Wildlife Management Area encompasses a unique diversity of both wetland and upland habitat types including: managed rice fields, backwaters, forested wetlands, tidal marshes, agricultural lands and a variety of upland forest types. ;;;e Late-Season Extension in Duck Season Proposed by State Wildlife Committee Waterfowl hunters will get a long-awaited season extension to hunt ducks later in January thanks to a S.c. Natural Resources Board approved recommendation made by a state wildlife committee. South Carolina duck hunters have long asked for an extension onto the end of duck season during colder weather, later in January when more ducks have migrated into the state. This year the long-desired season extension, through Jan. 26, was offered in a framework from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and recommended by waterfowl biologists with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and by the Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Group. The Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Advisory Committee, an advisory group to the S.c. Natural Resources Board, recommended a six-bird, 50- day waterfowl season at its Aug. 8 meeting in Columbia following the proposal by DNR biologists. The approved season will be 10 days less than last year's. The waterfowl season will run from Nov and Dec Jan. 26. The season was supported by the state Waterfowl Focus Group, a volunteer group of interested ---. Second and third grade students from Walterborc learn about snakes and other wild species at last "._ spring's Student Environmental Education Day at Donnelley Wildlife Management Area. 8~

7 A decline in waterfowl populations such as pintails has resulted in a shortening of the wateifowl season for this year in South Carolina. +- public hunters, private landowners, and volunteer representatives of Ducks Unlimited, Five Rivers Coalition and S.c. Waterfowl Association. Tommy Strange, leader of the DNR Waterfowl Project, summarized the reasons for the 50-day season. "We feel that the sporting public expects us to make '(~commendations commensurate with populations,", Strange said, "and duck populations this year indicate a need for additional protection." Breeding duck numbers are down this year, according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Total breeding duck populations fell 14 percent from a year ago. "In general, habitat conditions are very poor, most species populations are down, and production is expected to be quite low in the west and the north," said Bruce Batt, Ducks Unlimited chief biologist. The reasons for the 50-day season for waterfowl hunting in South Carolina include: With the long-desired six-day season extension, beyond Jan. 20, offered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the season will close on Sunday, Jan. 26. The traditional four-day season over Thanksgiving, Wednesday through Saturday, falls this year Nov , based on guidelines from the Fish and Wildlife Service. A 60-day season would mean only a one-day break between the Thanksgiving season and the later season. Many hunters have made it known they want a significant break between seasons. With a 50-day season the break would be for 11 days, and the season would re-open on Dec. 12. The prolonged drought has raised concerns for conditions on South Carolina wintering grounds. Coastal brackish impoundments have decreased food production due to high salinity. Inland swamps are dry, and wood duck habitat is limited. With limited water, wood ducks will be concentrated and subject to potentially higher harvest than normal. Conditions are deteriorating on the northern waterfowl breeding grounds as evidenced by the very low number of ponds surveyed in the mid-continent area in May by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Next year may bring even drier conditions and lower production. The season extension that is allowed on the opening end of the season (in September) for states in the northern portion of the Mississippi flyway will mean extra days of hunting pressure on birds that would be coming to South Carolina, since most of these states usually freeze before the end of their regular season. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service predicts a 15- percent increase in harvest rate on mid-continent mallards and a 5 percent increase in Eastern mallards due to the season extensions. The impact on other waterfowl species is unknown. Waterfowl wintering in the Southeast have a fidelity for wintering areas, returning to the same location year after year. South Carolina regulations could not cause undue harm to continental populations. However, hunters can seriously impact populations that traditionally overwinter in South Carolina..F-! ~.

8 Public Sites Bear Wildlife Management Area (est, 1953) Springfield Marsh (1987), Sampson (1988), Cut Marsh (1989) Donnelley Wildlife Management Area (1992) Conservation Sites ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge Bonny Hall Club (1990), Grove Plantation (1991), Bonny Hall Plantation (1992), Combahee Fields (1993), l ehossee (199 I, 1999), Auldbrass Tract (1995) ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Warren (1988), Big (1988), Ashe (1989), Beet (1989), Otter (1993), South Willi man (1994), Morgan (2002) Edisto Beach State Park (est. 1936) Hunting State Park (est, 1938) Sub-total Acres 12,055 8,048 11,062 14,218 1,255 5,000 51,638 Private Sites Conservation Easements (57) 64,214 Botany Bay (1987), Hope Plantation (1988), Willtown Bluff Plantation (1990), Church Tract (1990), Cheeha-Combahee Plantation (1991), Richardson Tract (1992), Godlrey Tract (1991), McMillian Tract (1991), Pon Pon Plantation (1992), Ashepoo Plantation (1993), Fenwick (1993), Combahee Plantation (1994), Musselboro (1994), Oak (1994), Little Palmetto (1994), Prospect Hill (1995), Rose Hill (1995), Plum Hill (1995), Auldbrass Plantation (1995), Parker's Ferry Plantation (1995), Tomotley Plantation (1995), Auldbrass Club (1995), Ivanhoe (1996), Shell Point (1996), Lavington Plantation (1996), Raccoon (1996), South Fenwick (1996), Bolders (1997), Paul and Dahan (1997), Great Swamp (1998), Prescott Plantation (1998), Jehossee Farms (1998), Airy Hall Plantation (1998), Slann Plantation (1998), Tilt Tract (1998), McCollumTract (1998), Chapel Hill LLC (1999), Prospect Hill LLC (1999), Old Dominion LLC (1999), Rose Hill (1999), Charleston County PRC (2000), William Seabrook Plantation (2000), Creek House Plantation (2000), SL Margaret's (2000), Laurel Hill Plantation (2000), Temple of Sport (2000), My Place (2000), Bonnie Doone Plantation (2000), Brewton Plantation (2001), Double 0 Plantation (2001), Oak Lawn Plantation (2001), Ravenwood Plantation (2001), Windsor House Plantation (2001), Big Neck Creek (2001), Bear Club (200 I ), Cockfield Plantation (200 1), MeadWestvaco (2002) Deed Restrictions 33 Hannahan Tract (1993) Organization Ownership 19,059 Nemours Plantation Wildlife Foundation (1995), Bailey (1997), North Williman (2002), Buzzard (2002) Management Agreements 13,076 MeadWestvaco (1991) Other 5,892 Botany Bay Plantation, Slann (1996) Sub-total 100,274 TOTAL 151,912 S.C. Department of Natural Resources Dr. Paul A. Sandifer, Executive Director lohn E. Frampton, ACE Basin Task Force ACE Basin Committee Mike McKenzie, Commitlee Chairman Dean Harrigal, Project Coordinator, Wildlife Management David Allen - Freshwater Fisheries Section Michelle Crosby - Land Resources Sally Murphy - Wildlife Diversity Seclion Ducks Unlimited MeadWestvaco NI~e* conservancy SOUTH CAROLINA CHAPTER Saving th e Last Great Places NEMOURS WILDLIFE FOUNDATION ACE Basin Current Events $1! South Carolina Department of Natural Resources 585 Donnelley Drive Green Pond, S.C Private Landowners Graphic Design Karen Swanson - Marine Resources Division Editors Dean Harrigal and Pete Laurie Funding provided by the ~ Harry R,E. Hampton _ Memorial Wildlife Fund, Inc. ~~gr ""II' f\ t.~ Printed On Recycled Paper _O"1Ve;: Total Cost - $ ; Total Copies - 3,000 Cost per Copy - $.30 The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, disability, religion or age. Direct all inquiries to the Office of Human Resources, P,O. Box 167, Columbia, S.c o~