The 10,697-acre tract up for sale in Berkeley County gained a few million more dollars Thursday from next year's proposed federal budget.

The House Appropriations Committee approved $4 million to help preserve the historic Bonneau Ferry tract in the Cooper River Historic District, U.S. Rep. Henry Brown's spokesman Denver Merrill said.

Paper giant MeadWestvaco is selling the land to reduce its holdings nationwide by about 700,000 acres. It owns 3.1 million acres.

"If it comes out of committee, then we're pretty confident it will get through the House," Merrill said. "He's very interested in making sure that that area is preserved. He's from Berkeley County and owns land in Cordesville. Whatever money they can provide will be well spent."

U.S. Sen. Ernest Hollings also is trying to tap into federal money from the Senate side of Congress.

"As a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, he will work to get the maximum amount that he can," Hollings' spokesman Andy Davis said Thursday.

Hollings secured $14 million in last year's budget. The state Department of Natural Resources says it has another $4.5 million in federal grants in hand.

MeadWestvaco has not announced an asking price for the land, but sources close to negotiations say it's at least $50 million.

DNR spokesman Mike Willis directed all queries to Director John Frampton.

He did not immediately return calls for comment Thursday, but on June 20, he said negotiations were at a critical stage and that the state had less than three weeks to seal a deal.

Gov. Mark Sanford also has been trying to bend the ear of MeadWestvaco Chairman and CEO John Luke to help the state keep the land from being sold to developers.

"The governor continues to have discussions with MeadWestvaco and other parties," Sanford spokesman Will Folks said.

He declined further comment.

"Nothing has changed," MeadWestvaco spokeswoman Jennifer Howard said Thursday.

Warren Wise covers Berkeley County. Contact him at 745-5850 or wwise@postandcourier.com