ACE Basin
Encyclopedia
The ACE Basin is one of the largest undeveloped estuaries along the Atlantic Coast
of the United States
. Located primarily in Colleton and Beaufort
counties in South Carolina
, the ACE Basin is an acronym that represents the Ashepoo
, Combahee
and Edisto
rivers, which combine into the larger St. Helena Sound and drain a significant portion of the Lowcountry region. The 350000 acres (1,416.4 km²) area is renowned for its extensive natural beauty and commitment to preserve marshes, wetlands, hardwood forests, and riverine systems and the various fauna that occupy the area.
The ACE Basin in not a solitary protected area; instead, it can best be described as a large-scale natural area in which a sizable portion has been protected via a public-private partnership
with contributing properties. A collaboration of federal, state, local, and private efforts have led to the preservation of 134000 acres (542.3 km²) of land, with stakeholders controlling various interests. The umbrella organization for these efforts is the ACE Basin Project.
, only three plantation homes survived in the area, and much of the land became fertile ground for hunting and outdoor enthusiasts.
Development pressures emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, prompting concerned citizens to petition local, state, and federal authorities to assist with preserving the basin. In 1988, a group of concerned citizens and advocacy groups formed the ACE Basin Task Force which further formalized the cause for preservation and conservation. What emerged out of these efforts became the ACE Basin Project, comprising the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), The Nature Conservancy
, Ducks Unlimited
, and other private groups and companies to continue to collaborate on this endeavor.
and Beaufort
areas. The basin's name comes after the three major rivers that drain the area: the Ashepoo, the Combahee, and the Edisto. These rivers drain primarily into the St. Helena Sound, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean between Hunting Island and Edisto Island.
The basin's boundaries are roughly defined to include all of Edisto Island and running northwesterly towards Walterboro
, then heading southwest towards Garden's Corner and Yemassee
before heading back towards the ocean, including all of the St. Helena Sound and Hunting Island State Park. Of the 350000 acres (1,416.4 km²) that are comprised by this area, nearly half are officially monitored by the National Estuarine Research Reserve system.
The ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve
was formed in 1992 and is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The reserve itself consists of over 140000 acres (566.6 km²) which consists of a mixture of upland and lowland that is publicly protected or privately owned. In essence, it is an overlay
area and is not in direct control or ownership of any specific land area. NERR staff monitors indicators such as flora/fauna livelihood and water quality, provides educational and scientific support to visitors and researchers and offers training programs for conservationists and other stakeholders.
The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
is a federally protected, 11815 acres (48 km²) national wildlife refuge
made up of two units: the Edisto River unit (7200 acres (29 km²)) and the Combahee River unit (4564 acres (18.5 km²)). The refuge operates an office out of the Grove Plantation House which receives visitors and hosts various educational and scientific programs and research projects.
The Bear Island Wildlife Management Area
is a 12021 acres (49 km²) reserve that is managed by SCDNR. The area is open to the public from early February to late October and is a popular spot for hiking, biking, birding, fishing, and hunting. A wide variety of waterfowl species inhabit the area. The area shuts down periodically for special hunts.
The Donnelley Wildlife Management Area is an 8041 acres (33 km²) reserve that is managed by SCDNR. The area is open to the public year-round, however hunting season from early November to early February restricts access for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and other non-hunting activities. The area is named after the Donnelley family, which was instrumental in the ACE Basin Project's history and features a wide mix of landscapes and fauna.
The St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve is a 10301 acres (42 km²) area managed by SCDNR that consists of several small upland and lowland islands located along the northern shore of the St. Helena Sound. These islands are far-reaching and offer archery hunting for deer (November only) and primitive camping opportunities. Otter Island in particular has further protections due to its unique and rare plant species and its historic status.
Additional contributing properties include:
(the ACE Basin Parkway), which skirts the northern reaches of the protected areas and providing transportation connection between the areas clustered around Charleston
, Beaufort
and Savannah
.
Small hamlets do exist in the ACE Basin, including the communities of Bennetts Point, Green Pond, Jacksonboro, Wiggitt and Willtown Bluff. The largest community in close proximity is Walterboro
, accessible via S.C. Highway 303 and S.C. Highway 64.
There are 23 boat landings in the 350000 acres (1,416.4 km²) region, mostly maintained by state or county government agencies. Four of these landings are canoe or kayak launch only.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Located primarily in Colleton and Beaufort
Beaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
counties in South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, the ACE Basin is an acronym that represents the Ashepoo
Ashepoo River
Ashepoo River is a short blackwater river in South Carolina. It rises in a confluence of swamps south of Walterboro, flows in southeast direction and then empties into Saint Helena Sound at . The entire course of the river lies within the boundaries of Colleton County...
, Combahee
Combahee River
The Combahee River is a short blackwater river in the southern Lowcountry region of South Carolina formed at the confluence of the Salkehatchie and Little Salkehatchie rivers near the Islandton community of Colleton County, South Carolina...
and Edisto
Edisto River
The Edisto River is the longest completely undammed / unleveed blackwater river in North America, flowing 206 meandering miles from its sources in Saluda and Edgefield counties, to its Atlantic Ocean mouth at Edisto Beach, SC...
rivers, which combine into the larger St. Helena Sound and drain a significant portion of the Lowcountry region. The 350000 acres (1,416.4 km²) area is renowned for its extensive natural beauty and commitment to preserve marshes, wetlands, hardwood forests, and riverine systems and the various fauna that occupy the area.
The ACE Basin in not a solitary protected area; instead, it can best be described as a large-scale natural area in which a sizable portion has been protected via a public-private partnership
Public-private partnership
Public–private partnership describes a government service or private business venture which is funded and operated through a partnership of government and one or more private sector companies...
with contributing properties. A collaboration of federal, state, local, and private efforts have led to the preservation of 134000 acres (542.3 km²) of land, with stakeholders controlling various interests. The umbrella organization for these efforts is the ACE Basin Project.
History
For generations, this area was primarily agricultural, dominated by the plantation system. After the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, only three plantation homes survived in the area, and much of the land became fertile ground for hunting and outdoor enthusiasts.
Development pressures emerged in the 1970s and 1980s, prompting concerned citizens to petition local, state, and federal authorities to assist with preserving the basin. In 1988, a group of concerned citizens and advocacy groups formed the ACE Basin Task Force which further formalized the cause for preservation and conservation. What emerged out of these efforts became the ACE Basin Project, comprising the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy
The Nature Conservancy is a US charitable environmental organization that works to preserve the plants, animals, and natural communities that represent the diversity of life on Earth by protecting the lands and waters they need to survive....
, Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited
Ducks Unlimited is an international non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of wetlands and associated upland habitats for waterfowl, other wildlife, and people. It currently has approximately 780,000 members, mostly in the United States and Canada.-Introduction:Ducks Unlimited was...
, and other private groups and companies to continue to collaborate on this endeavor.
Geography
The basin is located along the southern half of South Carolina's Atlantic coastline, situated between the developed areas of the CharlestonCharleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
and Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
areas. The basin's name comes after the three major rivers that drain the area: the Ashepoo, the Combahee, and the Edisto. These rivers drain primarily into the St. Helena Sound, which drains into the Atlantic Ocean between Hunting Island and Edisto Island.
The basin's boundaries are roughly defined to include all of Edisto Island and running northwesterly towards Walterboro
Walterboro, South Carolina
Walterboro is a city in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,153 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Colleton County.-History:...
, then heading southwest towards Garden's Corner and Yemassee
Yemassee, South Carolina
Yemassee is a town in Beaufort and Hampton counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 1,027 at the 2010 census. Yemassee is also very near the borders of Colleton and Jasper counties and is often considered to be the geographical center or heart of the Lowcountry region...
before heading back towards the ocean, including all of the St. Helena Sound and Hunting Island State Park. Of the 350000 acres (1,416.4 km²) that are comprised by this area, nearly half are officially monitored by the National Estuarine Research Reserve system.
Protected areas
Listed below is a partial list of protected areas in the ACE Basin, not including private conservation easements:The ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve
Ashepoo Combahee Edisto Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve
The Ashepoo Combahee Edisto Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve is a reserve area located in the ACE Basin, one of the largest undeveloped estuaries on the Atlantic coast of the United States...
was formed in 1992 and is a partnership between the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
(NOAA) and the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR). The reserve itself consists of over 140000 acres (566.6 km²) which consists of a mixture of upland and lowland that is publicly protected or privately owned. In essence, it is an overlay
Overlay
Overlay may refer to:*Overlay architecture, term used to describe ‘event architecture’ and relates to the temporary elements that supplement existing buildings and infrastructure to enable the operation of major sporting events or festivals....
area and is not in direct control or ownership of any specific land area. NERR staff monitors indicators such as flora/fauna livelihood and water quality, provides educational and scientific support to visitors and researchers and offers training programs for conservationists and other stakeholders.
The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge
The Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge is a portion of the larger ACE Basin area, and the only portions that are federally protected. The wildlife refuge is divided into two units: the Edisto River unit and the Combahee River unit....
is a federally protected, 11815 acres (48 km²) national wildlife refuge
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
made up of two units: the Edisto River unit (7200 acres (29 km²)) and the Combahee River unit (4564 acres (18.5 km²)). The refuge operates an office out of the Grove Plantation House which receives visitors and hosts various educational and scientific programs and research projects.
The Bear Island Wildlife Management Area
Bear Island (South Carolina)
Bear Island is a Sea Island in Colleton County, South Carolina. It is part of the ACE Basin estuarine reserve area and is a Wildlife Management Area that is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources . The area is open to the public from early February to late October and is a...
is a 12021 acres (49 km²) reserve that is managed by SCDNR. The area is open to the public from early February to late October and is a popular spot for hiking, biking, birding, fishing, and hunting. A wide variety of waterfowl species inhabit the area. The area shuts down periodically for special hunts.
The Donnelley Wildlife Management Area is an 8041 acres (33 km²) reserve that is managed by SCDNR. The area is open to the public year-round, however hunting season from early November to early February restricts access for hikers, bikers, horseback riders, and other non-hunting activities. The area is named after the Donnelley family, which was instrumental in the ACE Basin Project's history and features a wide mix of landscapes and fauna.
The St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve is a 10301 acres (42 km²) area managed by SCDNR that consists of several small upland and lowland islands located along the northern shore of the St. Helena Sound. These islands are far-reaching and offer archery hunting for deer (November only) and primitive camping opportunities. Otter Island in particular has further protections due to its unique and rare plant species and its historic status.
Additional contributing properties include:
- Edisto Interpretive Center
- Edisto Beach State ParkEdisto Beach State ParkEdisto Beach State Park is located on the coast of South Carolina, 50 miles south of Charleston, near the town of Edisto Beach in Colleton County....
- Great Swamp Sanctuary
- Hunting Island State ParkHunting Island State ParkHunting Island is a secluded semitropical barrier island located about east of Beaufort, South Carolina. It is the most-visited state park in South Carolina and is a part of the ACE Basin estuarine reserve area. It is one of the Sea Islands...
- Ravenel Caw Caw Interpretive Center
Access
The principal road through the ACE Basin is U.S. Highway 17U.S. Route 17
U.S. Route 17 or U.S. Highway 17 is a north–south United States highway. The highway spans the southeastern United States and is close to the Atlantic Coast for much of its length. The highway's southern terminus is at Punta Gorda, Florida, at an intersection with U.S. Route 41...
(the ACE Basin Parkway), which skirts the northern reaches of the protected areas and providing transportation connection between the areas clustered around Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
and Savannah
Savannah, Georgia
Savannah is the largest city and the county seat of Chatham County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. Established in 1733, the city of Savannah was the colonial capital of the Province of Georgia and later the first state capital of Georgia. Today Savannah is an industrial center and an important...
.
Small hamlets do exist in the ACE Basin, including the communities of Bennetts Point, Green Pond, Jacksonboro, Wiggitt and Willtown Bluff. The largest community in close proximity is Walterboro
Walterboro, South Carolina
Walterboro is a city in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,153 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Colleton County.-History:...
, accessible via S.C. Highway 303 and S.C. Highway 64.
There are 23 boat landings in the 350000 acres (1,416.4 km²) region, mostly maintained by state or county government agencies. Four of these landings are canoe or kayak launch only.