The National Park Service is considering two land exchanges on Georgia's Cumberland Island,a proposal that would bring environmentally sensitive private propertyinto federal ownership while transferring other federal land to private owners.
The exchanges are part of a current National Park Service process at Cumberland Island National Seashore.
The agency opened a public comment period Sept. 9 that runs through Oct. 16.Under the proposal, the National Park Service would acquire private property on the ocean side of the island and transfer federal property on the marsh side to the private landowners.
The land transferred out of federal ownership would be protected by conservation easements that limit development and prohibit subdivision, according
to the National Park Service.
What is being proposed on Cumberland Island?
The two exchanges involve different properties and development restrictions.
In the first exchange, the National Park Service would acquire a 10-acre private property in designated wilderness. In return, the private owner would receive 20 acres on the marsh side of the island, according to The Brunswick News.
According to the proposal described by Cumberland Island Superintendent Melissa Trenchik, the owner would be permitted to build up to two single-family homes on four acres. The remaining 16 acres would be protected by a permanent conservation easement.
The second exchange involves a 119.3-acre private tract that the National Park Service would acquire in exchange for 60 acres of federal property.
Up to four single-family homes could be built on 12 acres of that property, while the remaining 48 acres would be placed under a conservation easement. Commercial development would not be allowed, and homes could not exceed 35 feet in height, according to the proposal.
The properties the Park Service wants to acquire are located along the ocean side of the 18-mile-long barrier island and are contiguous with the island's maritime forest, according to The Brunswick News.
Why does the National Park Service want the land?
The National Park Service says the exchanges are intended to consolidate land ownership and protect natural, cultural and visitor resources on Cumberland Island.
The agency says the privately owned parcels it would acquire contain resources including sensitive habitat, while the conservation easements on the federal land transferred to private owners would provide permanent restrictions on development.
The NPS also says the proposed exchanges could help strengthen long-term stewardship of the island.
"If we do nothing, more development could happen," Trenchik said, according to The Brunswick News.
The NPS says the agreements are still preliminary and subject to additional review, including the environmental assessment and public input.
Conservation groups raise concerns
Several conservation organizations have criticized the proposal, arguing that transferring federal property to private ownership could allow additional residential development on Cumberland Island.
The Center for Biological Diversity, Wild Cumberland, the Sierra Club Georgia Chapter, the National Parks Conservation Association and other groups issued statements opposing the exchanges. Their concerns include potential impacts from new homes, roads, vehicles and other activity.
Wild Cumberland told WSAVthat about 80% of the property involved in one portion of the proposal would remain conserved, while the remaining portion could allow single-family homes with building footprints of up to 15,000 square feet.
The conservation groups have also questioned whether the benefits of the exchanges outweigh the potential impacts of transferring federal land to private ownership. Those statements represent the groups' positions on the proposal, not a final determination by the National Park Service.
When can the public weigh in?
The National Park Service is holding an in-person public meeting about the proposed exchanges on Wednesday, Sept. 23, from 5:30 to 7 p.m.
The meeting will take place at the Santa Maria Venue, 611 Osborne St. in St. Marys.
NPS staff are scheduled to explain the proposal, answer questions and help members of the public understand the environmental assessment and comment process.
The public comment period is scheduled to remain open through Oct. 16, 2026. Comments can be submitted through the National Park Service's Planning, Environment and Public Comment system or by mail.
No final decision on the proposed exchanges has been announced. The National Park Service says the proposals remain subject to further review and public input.
Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Cumberland Island land swap proposal draws concerns over development
