Deal to preserve land near Okatie River headwaters finalized

Local government and business officials have finalized a deal to help preserve 111 acres along S.C. 170 in Bluffton near the headwaters of the Okatie River.

The undeveloped land, known as Kent Estates, has been sold to the Beaufort County Rural and Critical Lands Preservation Program for $2 million.

“The objectives of this purchase are to mitigate the pollutants which will enter the Okatie River and use this parcel for public access and open space,” according to a release from the town of Bluffton.

The previous owner, New Leaf LLC, planned to build more than 400 homes and roughly 100,000 square feet of commercial space on the property.

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 7:27 AM with the headline "Deal to preserve land near Okatie River headwaters finalized."