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Historically, much of the ACE Basin was used to grow rice, as the flat, tidal marshes and freshwater rivers created perfect conditions. Nowadays, many of the hiking opportunities in the area make use of former rice field embankments or dikes, providing visitors a nice flat walk with numerous opportunities to spot wildlife. The Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, which is about 11 miles south of US 17 on Bennett's Point Road, provides 12,000 acres of managed property for wintering waterfowl and other wetland widlife. The area is open to the public and is a great stop on an ACE Basin roadtrip.