As Horry County focuses on the probable expansion of necessary infrastructure to accommodate growth within the County, they recognize the need to mitigate unavoidable impacts to the Waters of the US. Accordingly, Horry County Government contracted with RES to develop the Independent Heritage Preserve Wetland Mitigation Bank.

The 3,707-acre site comprises a series of Carolina bays, relic wet pine savanna, xeric longleaf pine sand rim, and non-alluvial swamp forest. In addition to preservation, relic pine savanna will be enhanced by re-initiating a frequent prescribed fire-burning program to enhance the biotic integrity of rare wetland systems and associated plant communities. Not only are these natural communities rare, but they are also considered to be globally unique.