Easements and private land stewardship through the Savannah River Clean Water Fund can be an example for other water utilities and landowners to collaborate to protect our drinking water.
The Savannah River is increasingly relied on as a drinking water source for large populations in Georgia and South Carolina. As salt water continues to impede upon previously used ground water sources. The Savannah River Clean Water Fund is a collaboration between water utilities and philanthropists to protect water quality.
The fund’s main method of protecting water is through outreach creating partnerships with private landowners. This does not mean forest wilderness; working forests are critical to maintaining their health.
There are several types of conservation easements for private landowners:
Landowner agrees to restrictions on land to protect forest and water quality
Fund & Utility contribute money toward land conservation
Conservation easements in perpetuity: landowners can rest easy knowing their land will remain in its current state beyond their lifetime
Landowners also receive tax credit for appraisal of loss of income from conservation land
The benefits for the utility companies include lower costs over time with cleaner source water. Benefits for landowners include the ability to continue to work their land for economic benefit, conservation, recreation, and family legacy. There are also benefits for water consumers, such as clean drinking water and lower costs over time.
Healthy forests are critical to the future of our drinking water.
Southeastern Partnership for Forests and Water [ Ссылка ]
Southern Group of State Foresters www.southernforests.org
