COLUMBIA, S.C. - Nearly an acre of land on Sullivans Island used by the state's health and environmental agency should be sold to bring in $1 million, Gov. Mark Sanford said Wednesday.

The property currently stores boats and equipment used in the Department of Health and Environmental Control's shellfish program. The land includes a warehouse and a dock access on the marsh side, agency spokesman Thom Berry said.

The agency notified the Budget and Control Board about the proposal. The board approves the sale of state-owned property.

"This is just the first step in what's going to be a rather lengthy process," said Berry, who noted the agency will need to store boats and equipment somewhere.

The shellfish program has 13 boats stored along the coast, ranging from 15-foot john boats to 18-foot center console boats.

Sanford said he got the idea to sell the land when a citizen raised the issue at a budget hearing in September.

"As we continue work on the executive budget, you're going to see it yield more proposals like this," Sanford said.

Sanford's budget is expected to be released in January.