SC’s Harbison State Forest may get new land, trail. Here’s what we know.

State forestry officials want to expand Harbison State Forest by 71 acres, according to a request for funding to state lawmakers.

The Columbia forest’s proposed expansion would add trails and protect the property from development, the document said. The entire acquisition is expected to cost $1.533 million.

Initial steps before purchasing the property would be paid for by revenue from timber sales, according to the request. South Carolina sells timber and pine straws from its state forests. The state has $7.45 million in uncommitted funding from the timber sales, which could go toward the Harbison State Forest expansion, the request said. The first steps are expected to cost $20,000.

The final estimated $1.433 million purchase from Family Land LLC would be made using the SC Conservation Bank and private donations, according to the request.

The Joint Bond Review Committee approved the first phase of the project Tuesday morning, according to state staff. It will now have to receive approval from the State Fiscal Accountability Authority. The second, pricier purchase of land will also have to be approved.

The Forestry Commission argued in the request that the property was in danger of being developed, making it important to purchase the property. The property was clearcut in 2017, according to the request.

The expansion was titled “Lost Creek Project.”

Harbison State Forest spans 2,176 acres and 18 miles of trails in Columbia, according to the South Carolina Forestry Commission’s website. The forest is entirely funded by timber sales and recreational use permits, according to the commission.