For several years, the City of Savannah has been working with utility partners and land conservation groups to protect water quality in the Savannah River Basin. There is an opportunity to share costs of a conservation easement on a 297-acre property on the Savannah River. The total cost of the easement is $270,000.00. Savannah's portion is $50,000.00.

The Memorandum of Agreement is with the Lowcountry Land Trust to protect this property in perpetuity through a conservation easement. The Trust will also provide matching funds. The Lowcountry Land Trust is a land conservation organization that has worked since 1986 to protect more than 141,000 acres within 17 coastal counties.

This easement is part of a partnership among the City of Savannah and four other water utilities in Georgia and South Carolina that rely on the Savannah River for drinking water. The Fund positions the watershed for protection through conservation, education, and research. Savannah’s participation in this program provides important benefits:

• Watershed protection will keep water treatment costs low for our customers;
• Any investments in the program are matched by the utility partners and others such as the US Endowment;
• Participation could gain credits from state and federal regulators on pending nutrient reduction requirements

Approval