North Coast Newsletter: Lazin’ on the Lynches

Friend,

Welcome to the July 2023 North Coast newsletter! It may be hot and humid, but at least it’s peach season! Nothing much beats a juicy, South Carolina-grown peach. We had a late frost this year, so the harvest wasn’t as robust, but I hope you’ve been able to find some good ones at your local road stand or farmer’s market!

This month we celebrate our longest State Scenic River, the Lynches River, totaling 111 miles. Learn more about this sinuous blackwater treasure and a new park with river access in Florence County. If you haven’t had a chance to check this river out yet, may this newsletter help you plan your next paddle trip!

As always, we welcome your thoughts on how we can work together to enhance
conservation on the North Coast. You can reach me at [email protected]and Trapper Fowler at [email protected].

Best regards,
Becky

Becky Ryon
North Coast Office Director

TREASURES OF THE NORTH COAST

The Lynches River is simply amazing and opportunities abound to get out and enjoy it yourself! Along the river lies a multi-use county park, an equestrian -friendly state park, and even a National Historic Landmark. Not a tent camper? No worries; the county park has comfy cabins. Want to see 4 artesian wells and structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps? Then Lee State Park’s hiking trails will take you there.

The Lynches is part of the South Carolina Revolutionary Rivers Trail, highlighting significant historic sites and following 66-miles beginning at Lynches River County Park. If you are a history buff, you will want to explore Snow’s Island, a Revolutionary War campsite that General Francis “Swamp Fox” Marion frequented as a retreat and headquarters, located between the Great Pee Dee and Lynches. (To learn more, check out the Florence County Museum’s special exhibit, LEGEND, on Francis Marion in thePee Dee until August 13.)

Designated as a Scenic River, the Lynches represents “unique and outstanding scenic, recreational, geologic, botanical, fish, wildlife, historic, and cultural values.” Under the South Carolina Scenic Rivers Act of 1989, this river has brought the local community, elected officials, and scientists together through the establishment of the Lynches River Advisory Council and Lynches River Management Plan, overseen by SC Department of Natural Resources. This management plan included a multi-year study, public input and involvement, and 65 management recommendations to ensure conservation of the river corridor and improve water quality. The work put forth by all parties, from the individual landowner to the state agency involved, has been an example for other conservation movements attempting to protect riparian zones, historical landmarks, recreational opportunities, and wildlife habitat.

CELEBRATING A NEW COUNTY PARK ON THE LYNCHES RIVER

In May, Florence County announced a new 498-acre county park on the Lynches River. The property, known as Independence Farm, dates back to 1776 and has a mix of forest, wetlands, and 1.3 miles of riverfront. Sitting downstream of Lake City, adjacent to the popular Bennie Landing, and upstream of the Lynches River County Park, it will be an important public paddling access point on the Scenic River and National Recreation Water Trail. Hiking and camping opportunities will also be available. The park is not yet open to the public but we’ll be sure to let you know when it is!

Before the official ribbon cutting ceremony, we got the chance to paddle an easy three miles of the river downstream to the park property and it was peaceful and magnificent. The North Coast office is proud to represent the Coastal Conservation League on the board of the Lynches River Conservation Fund, which contributed half of the money to purchase the property for the county park, with the remainder provided by the SC Conservation Bank. The Lynches River Conservation Fund supports land conservation projects in the watershed from the North Carolina border to the confluence with the Pee Dee River, with a focus on improving water quality and ecological integrity. The $4 million fund was created in a 2014 settlement agreement between conservation groups
and Haile Gold Mine in Lancaster County for mitigation in the watershed. Over its history, the Fund has protected over 3,700 acres! This doesn’t even include this latest fantastic addition and other exciting projects in the works.

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