Difference between revisions of "State of the Beach/State Reports/SC"

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* [http://surfridergrandstrand.org/ Grand Strand Chapter] volunteers combined forces with "Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful" to assemble and mount 16 litter bag dispenser boxes at beach accesses in North Myrtle Beach.  
 
* [http://surfridergrandstrand.org/ Grand Strand Chapter] volunteers combined forces with "Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful" to assemble and mount 16 litter bag dispenser boxes at beach accesses in North Myrtle Beach.  
  
For a list of Surfrider Foundation's latest coastal victories, go [http://www.surfrider.org/whoweare6g.asp here].
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For a list of Surfrider Foundation's latest coastal victories, go [http://www.surfrider.org/campaigns/region-victories here].
  
  
  
 
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Revision as of 23:00, 19 April 2011

Home Beach Indicators Methodology Findings Beach Manifesto State Reports Chapters Perspectives Model Programs Bad and Rad Conclusion

South Carolina

Summary

South Carolina has good information and generally good policies on beach erosion, fill, and shoreline structures. It will be a continuing struggle to resist requests to build shoreline structures. Approximately 30% of their developed coastline (90 miles) is already "stabilized" by shoreline structures. A survey and report on beach access ("Assessing Recreational Needs at South Carolina Beaches") was published in September 2006. Expanding the geographic extent of the ocean water quality monitoring program and requiring prompt data reporting and posting of beach closure advisories would enhance this program.

South Carolina Ratings


Indicators

(+) In October 2009 the Governors of North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia announced an agreement to work together to better manage and protect ocean and coastal resources, ensure regional economic sustainability and respond to disasters such as hurricanes. The South Atlantic Alliance will leverage resources from each state to protect and maintain healthy coastal ecosystems, keep waterfronts working, enhance clean ocean and coastal waters and help make communities more resilient after they’ve been struck by natural disasters. In January 2011 the Governors' South Atlantic Alliance officially released the final Action Plan. The Action Plan focuses on four priority topic areas: healthy ecosystems, working waterfronts, clean coastal and ocean waters, and disaster-resilient communities. Each priority area contains specific goals, actions and objectives designed to protect and promote the invaluable natural, cultural and economic resources of each state and the region as a whole. The Alliance will work with political leaders and other stakeholders during summer 2011 to decide how the Action Plan will be implemented.

(+) An ocean planning effort has been initiated to explore research and planning issues related to ocean resources in South Carolina. A recently established Ocean Planning Work Group with representatives from federal and state agencies and academic institutions will meet with experts and stakeholders on various issues over the course of the next several years to develop a plan to guide future ocean research, data collection and mapping; policies and decisions of agencies with ocean authorities; and ocean education programs.

(+) South Carolina's Beach Management Act calls for a gradual retreat of new development from the coast. However, building pressures continue from Cherry Grove to Hilton Head Island.

(+) The Town of Hilton Head has a general policy of discouraging development on any of its beachfront across the entire island. It passed an ordinance blocking any further construction along South Forest Beach. They are opposing state proposals to shift the beachfront baseline seaward in areas where beach renourishment projects have been conducted.

(+) South Carolina’s coastal setbacks are based on local average coastal erosion rates. The average coastal erosion rate is multiplied by 40 with a minimum setback distance of 20 feet.

(+) Since 2000, North Myrtle Beach has spent $13 million for 4 stormwater ocean outfalls, and they plan to spend $30 to $40 million for six more over the next 20 years. The city has also re-routed drainage away from the ocean as part of road improvement projects and has been incorporating "smart growth" principles by encouraging clustering of development, larger open spaces and buffers to minimize runoff.

(+) The Lowcountry Open Land Trust acquired conservation easements placed on 16 tracts of land throughout coastal South Carolina, adding 18,967 protected acres in 2008. The acreage total was most significantly boosted by the addition of a 12,500-acre Brosnan Forest easement in Dorchester County, which was donated by Norfolk Southern Corp. The Lowcountry Open Land Trust now conserves 76,546 acres across the Lowcountry, totaling more than 220 properties.

(+) The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control was awarded a $3.1 million non-point source pollution grant from U.S. EPA. Projects will include water quality monitoring, outreach and education, and the creation and revision of agricultural waste permits. There will also be $2.1 million in state and local matching funds for these projects.

(+) The South Carolina Code of Laws includes provisions requiring communities to prepare comprehensive beach management plans. These plans include an inventory of public beach access sites and associated parking, as well as a plan for enhancing public access and parking.

(+) Following passage of the 1988 Beachfront Management Act, the Coastal Council established a beach monitoring program that measures beach profiles twice a year at approximately 400 locations along the coast.

(+) South Carolina is receiving three grants from NOAA totaling $4.5 million to continue implementation of the state's coastal zone management program; for a Land Use-Coastal Ecosystem Study; and to measure the impacts of urbanization on coastal estuaries.

(0) During the 1990s, the state spent an average of about $3 million annually on beach fill projects.

(0) Gov. Mark Sanford wants the Department of Health and Environmental Control, Department of Natural Resources and the Forestry Commission combined into a new Cabinet-level Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

(-) Despite a state policy of “retreat” — or moving back new construction from the beach — DHEC regulators have loosened development rules for hundreds of seaside lots since 1988. Parts of the Beachfront Management Law are at odds with each other: While one section calls for gradual retreat from the dynamic shoreline, another section says the state can push forward the lines controlling where development can occur in areas that have been renourished.

(-) There is no state requirement that sewage treatment plant operators notify the public when there’s a spill.

(-) After a large beach fill project at North Myrtle Beach in the late 1990s, state regulators moved setback lines seaward by 50 to 100 feet in the center of Cherry Grove. This allowed the construction of four oceanfront condominium towers on a low-lying, flood-prone shoreline. Despite the threat of hurricanes and rising costs to taxpayers, state regulators in April 2008 decided against toughening rules that allow high-rise condominiums in the Cherry Grove community.

(-) Proposals under review by state legislators in early 2006 could potentially overturn laws adopted nearly two decades ago to protect beaches from erosion. Measures could allow swimming pools closer to the beach, allow more filling of wetlands and more construction of bridges to salt marsh islands.

(-) The Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management has maintained that groins are not prohibited by state laws regulating the use of erosion-control structures on the beach. Also, state legislators changed the law in 2002 to make it easier to get groin-construction permits.

Victories

  • Morris Island land purchase The long saga of potential development on Morris Island came to a happy conclusion in early 2006 when the latest owner agreed to sell the property to the Trust for Public Land. The Charleston Chapter of Surfrider Foundation is proud to have played an important role in achieving this victory. Earlier, the Charleston chapter, along with coalition partners, was successful in getting the James Island Town Council to pass the resolution opposing the development of 20 luxury homes on this pristine barrier island and historical Civil War battle site.
  • Grand Strand Chapter volunteers combined forces with "Keep North Myrtle Beach Beautiful" to assemble and mount 16 litter bag dispenser boxes at beach accesses in North Myrtle Beach.

For a list of Surfrider Foundation's latest coastal victories, go here.



State of the Beach Report: South Carolina
South Carolina Home Beach Description Beach Access Water Quality Beach Erosion Erosion Response Beach Fill Shoreline Structures Beach Ecology Surfing Areas Website
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