Shoreline Change Initiative
In 2007, DHEC-OCRM initiated a Shoreline Change Initiative to organize existing data collection and research efforts, identify additional research needs, and formulate policy options to guide the management of South Carolina’s estuarine and beachfront shorelines.
Shoreline Change Advisory Committee
The Shoreline Change Advisory Committee is an integral part of DHEC’s multi-year Shoreline Change Initiative. Comprised of a broad cross-section of coastal stakeholders, the committee will begin to organize existing shoreline research, identify research priority needs and explore policy options to ensure the long-term sustainability of our state’s coastal resources. The committee will meet regularly and conclude its business in late 2008. Public comment will be received at scheduled meetings at the beginning and end of the committee process. Written comments will be accepted on an ongoing basis.
Written comments may be submitted via email to davisbc@dhec.sc.gov or via surface mail to:
Braxton Davis
SCDHEC-OCRM
1362 McMillan Ave.
Suite 400
Charleston, SC 29405
Background
Twenty years ago, a "blue ribbon panel" was convened by the former South Carolina Coastal Council (now SCDHEC-OCRM) to address what was considered a "crisis" situation involving our beaches. Recognizing the threats of chronic erosion, gradual sea level rise, increased shoreline development, and a lack of comprehensive beachfront planning and management, the panel developed recommendations that provided guidance to state regulators and legislators in developing state beach management policies. Most of their recommendations were adopted into law through the Beachfront Management Act of 1988. Over the past two decades, the Beachfront Management Act and associated regulations have significantly limited development and hard stabilization of the beachfront in many areas. However, the issues addressed by the 1987 panel remain critical. We face a growing challenge in balancing the protection of economic and environmental resources along our shorelines.
Advisory Committee
Meeting Information
Materials associated with meetings, including presentations, minutes and supporting documents, will be added as they become available.
- September 14, 2007: Orientation (Announcement / Agenda / Approved Minutes)
- November 30, 2007: Public Comments and Outside Perspectives (Announcement / Agenda / Approved Minutes)
- January 25, 2008: Research and Information Priorities (Announcement / Agenda / Approved Minutes)
- February 21, 2008: Beachfront Retreat Policy (Announcement / Agenda / Approved Minutes)
- March 31, 2008: Beach Renourishment: (Announcement / Agenda)
- May 8, 2008: Beachfront Erosion Control (Announcement / Agenda)
Reference Materials
- Beachfront Management Act from the S.C. Code of Laws (PDF)
- Updated: OCRM Critical Area Permitting Regulations (04/25/08) (PDF)
- Report of the S.C. Blue Ribbon Committee on Beachfront Management (PDF)
- SCDHEC-OCRM NOAA Section 309 Strategy and Assessment (PDF)
- South Carolina's Beachfront Management Plan (PDF)
Public Comments
Public comments are described within approved meeting minutes and are available upon request. When available, multimedia and presentations are listed below.
- Hunting Island presentation submitted by Mr. Robert Rettew of the Hunting Island Beach Preservation Association (submitted 11/30/2007)
- Hunting Island erosion photos from 2005 to present submitted by Mr. Robert Rettew of the Hunting Island Beach Preservation Association (submitted on 01/25/08)