Property Management

1. Operational Impact:
• A lease will be granted only if the property is not required by Santee Cooper for operational purposes.
• Any impact to operations at present or in the future is solely determined by Santee Cooper.
2. Santee Cooper may grant gratis leases to the following:
• Education
• Community/Civic
• Arts, Culture, and Humanities
• Environmental
• Safety, Health, and Human Services
• Economic Development
3. Santee Cooper will not grant gratis leases to:
• Individuals
• Political campaigns/parties
• Religious organizations
• Private for-profit organizations
• Requests submitted through form letters (i.e., generic or mass solicitations)

Requests are to be submitted to Santee Cooper’s Property Management via email at property@santeecooper.com (further contact information can be found at the bottom of this website). All requests must be submitted in writing containing a concise proposal to include:

• A description of why the gratis lease is being requested and what benefit(s) it will provide to the community. Documentation must be provided confirming approval by the organization’s leadership for submitting the request.
• Specific property details of the proposed gratis lease (location, photos, current zoning, access, utilities, extent of existing wetlands, etc.).

County GIS websites are useful in identifying properties owned by Santee Cooper (South Carolina Public Service Authority).

• Purpose, mission and description of the requesting organization along with any information describing the history of the organization supporting the state and community.
• Expected use of the property with a conceptual plan or outline of any proposed improvements.
• Projected process, timeframe and schedule for any proposed improvements. If granted, the lease will require a commitment to perform according to the proposed schedule.
• Financial status of the organization.
• Plan and a commitment for funding any improvements.
• Support required from other sources (e.g., funding, partnerships).
• Tax status verification (e.g., IRS 501(c)(3) for nonprofits).
• Requested term of lease (up to 40 years is possible but will be determined solely by Santee Coper based on the nature of the request).
• If the lease request includes a non-terminable clause (i.e., no termination notice within one year), justification must be provided.
• Additional materials may also be required for evaluation purposes. Further approvals including documentation of support by other entities may be required depending upon the specifics of the request.

• Typically, the process takes three to six months once all materials are received by Santee Cooper’s Property Management Department, which then determines whether the request meets the minimum requirements.
• Timeframes are based upon and determined by Santee Cooper’s Property Management Department, leadership, Board of Directors and if required, the state legislature’s Joint Bond Review Committee schedules.
• Requests are received, classified and evaluated based on the criteria outlined above and timeframe in which the request has been received. The appropriate lease term and termination requirements are then determined. Once evaluated, qualifying requests are recommended for approval.

• Santee Cooper’s standard gratis lease form must be used and can be provided for review prior to seeking approval.
• The organization requesting the lease must provide a current survey delineating the leased premises that will be attached to the lease.
• After approval, the necessary documents are prepared, and the gratis lease is provided to the requesting organization for signatures.
• Once signed by Santee Cooper, the lease will go into effect and a final copy will be issued.

POTENTIAL GRATIS LEASE SITES (click site to open map): 

• Duck Pond Gratis Location - Berkeley County
• Overton Gratis Location - Berkeley County
• Camp Shelor Gratis Location - Clarendon County
• Francis Marion Gratis Location - Clarendon County
• Overall Gratis Lease Map

• Santee Cooper reports annually the status of the Gratis Lease program which includes current gratis leases.
• All information submitted becomes public and subject to disclosure under Santee Cooper policies, state law and the Freedom of Information Act.