Land Donation Protects Watershed

(Article reprinted courtesy of The Country Chronicle, Blythewood)

Land that had been in James Mullis’ family for more than half a century is now part of an effort to preserve and protect water quality in Richland County.

In a dedication ceremony on the 75-acre parcel off Lawhorn Road last Thursday, Mullis and members of his family donated the easement, which will provide long-term protection for on e of the county’s valuable stream corridors.  The Mullis property surrounds the 25-mile creek watershed that drains directly into the Wateree River.

The Mullis land donation furthers the county’s commitment to conserve natural buffers and green space in Richland County.

Among those attending the ceremony were Richland County Councilwoman Joyce Dickerson, who presented Mullis with a plaque commemorating the donation; and Carol Kososki, chair of the Richland County Conservation Commission, which, since 2005, has formed easement agreements with 22 private landowners.  Those partnerships have resulted in the preservation of more than 1,000 acres.

“The Mullis family has been a leader in the preservation of green space for almost 60 years,” Dickerson said.  “I want to applaud you, (Richland County) and the town of Blythewood for being partners.”

Blythewood town administrator John Perry, reading a prepared statement from town councilman Jim McLean, who was unable to attend, said: “We are grateful that families such as yours recognize the responsibility we have to future generations; to set aside undeveloped large tracts of land to preserve the natural beauty of our community, to protect our natural resources, and to set an example for others to follow.

“The Mullis family, with historical ties to the Blythewood community since its early existence, has always been good citizens as well as good stewards of the land,” Mclean’s statement read.

Mullis credited the “legwork” of his son, Ken, and Jim Wilson, conservation commission conservation manager, for making the land donation possible.

“Growing up in a rural area and being involved in agriculture all my life, I hated to think that all these places would (one day) be under concrete,” Mullis said.

Mullis also made note of the fact that Blythewoodian Margaret Dubard, who also attended the ceremony, was “a descendant of the original owners of this tract of land.”

Ken Mullis told the gathering that his family has always “been passionate about our natural resources.

“Development is a good thing, but it has its place,” Ken Mullis said.  “It needs to be done in the right way.

“This (donation) is not for us, but to make everyone aware,” he said.

Richland County researchers estimate that in the past 50 years more than  80 percent of the land in the Northeast area has gone from rural to being designated residential, commercial and industrial or some other more high-density zoning.

According to Richland County, this conservation donation of 75 acres of timberland will set an example for stewardship responsibility and enhance water quality and land preservation in Richland County.

For more information on conservation easements, contact Jim Wilson, Environmental Program Manager at 576-2084.