01/30/2009
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Accreted Land Management Plan
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2253 [30 JANUARY 2009]
Town of Sullivan’s Island, SC
Some property owners periodically prune vegetation to around 5 ft from the ground, a practice
that has been allowed under Town deed restrictions dated 12 February 1991 (Appendix 2).
Pruning by swaths seaward of some oceanfront properties has left some sections of the study
area with a relatively uniform growth of a single dominant species such as wax myrtle (Fig 1.3).
Other areas have a variable canopy of shrubs (eg – groundsel tree, blackberry, peppervine,
poison ivy), trees (eg – laurel cherry, eastern red cedar, Chinese tallow), and dune grasses
(eg – sea oats, beach morning glory) (Fig 1.3).
1.4 Site Constraints and Opportunities
Sullivan’s Island is in the enviable position of being one of the healthiest barrier islands in
South Carolina (Hayes 1994). Large-scale accretion along the majority of the oceanfront over
the past century has created a broad dune field seaward of development. This area buffers
buildings during storm events, provides a natural edge between the ocean and development,
and offers an attractive set of habitats for coastal wildlife. However, the accretion zone has
low relief and is subject to overtopping during major storms (Fig 1.4). Dense vegetation in
some areas combined with easy public access creates certain public safety issues including
increased risk of fire and assaults. The scale of the study area and its inherently variable
nature are assets. This offers opportunities for improved access, enhanced dunes and wet-
lands, and improved habitat for certain species.
The ALMP must take into consideration certain jurisdictional and regulatory constraints as well
as the physical, topographic, and vegetative conditions of the site. This section of the ALMP
provides a synopsis of regulations and governmental jurisdictions which impact activities within
the AL study area.
Applicable Jurisdictions, Regulations, and Controls
The AL study area is subject to certain local, state, and federal jurisdictions and regulations:
•
State and local development set backs and control lines under the Beach Manage-
ment Act (BMA – 1988/1990) by SC Department of Health and Environmental Con-
trol (SCDHEC)–Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM).
•
Federal National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and local Town flood ordinance.
•
Local deed restrictions established by the town of Sullivan’s Island (Appendix 2).
•
Federal Endangered Species Act (1973) which provides certain protections to rare
plants and animals that occur in or utilize a particular area.
•
Federal Clean Water Act (1982) regulations which define wetlands and restrict
some activities within and near their boundaries.