01/30/2009
D
R
A
F
T
CSE
–S&W–DEW [DRAFT]
Accreted Land Management Plan
17
2253 [30 JANUARY 2009]
Town of Sullivan’s Island, SC
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Describing existing conditions.
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Analyzing the relative value of habitats and species in the area.
C
Demonstrating the evolution and history of the accreted land.
C
Projecting likely changes into the future.
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Predicting the outcomes of certain management alternatives, such as trimming and
pruning of the shrub forest or selective application of controlled burns.
•
Analyzing public health and safety issues in connection with management alter-
natives.
•
Developing the final ALMP after review and consideration by the Town of the data
provided herein.
The final plan will draw on input from the community to reflect a consensus regarding which
objectives are emphasized. To facilitate community review and discussion, the Team consid-
ered four broad management alternatives:
1) Do nothing and leave the AL to evolve naturally.
2) Continue present practices such as shrub pruning, maintenance of the beach-
access paths, etc.
3) Implement more extensive vegetation controls to enhance habitat diversity and
associated modifications of vistas.
4) Modify the topography of the land in conjunction with vegetation management so
as to increase protection during major storms.
Each of the general alternatives has implications regarding the evolution of the AL area and
certain specific issues. For example, doing nothing could ultimately lead to loss of ocean
views, possible reductions in the tax base, continued vulnerability of houses and community
infrastructure to storm surges, and increased public safety issues. However, doing nothing is
inexpensive and will lead to expansion of certain forest habitats that attract back-barrier
wildlife.
Present practices of pruning and brush clearing along access paths have generally been
limited in scope and have been implemented by individual property owners or the Town. The
present report outlines the positive and negative consequences of present practices, such as