Places > Horry County Independent Republic Heritage Preserve Mitigation Bank

Horry County Independent Republic Heritage Preserve Mitigation Bank

  • South Carolina
  • Horry County
  • Habitat: 3,707 AC
Service Territory
  • Wetlands, Streams or Nutrients: Carolina Coastal-Sampit (03040207) & Waccamaw (03040206)

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

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. Upon successful completion of mitigation activities, the Bank property will be transferred to the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve.