01/30/2009
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–S&W–DEW [DRAFT]
Accreted Land Management Plan
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2253 [30 JANUARY 2009]
Town of Sullivan’s Island, SC
forests on undeveloped barrier islands (like Capers Island) because of the presence of
numerous pockets of standing water. This condition would persist and likely worsen under
Alternative 1.
Rats have been an increasing nuisance within the AL according to informal communications
with residents. While the Team did not observe rats during the surveys, their presence is not
surprising, given the large areas of dense understory vegetation which provides shelter from
larger predator animals. Public use of the AL also introduces food scraps and related litter
which attract pests. Various bates (pesticides) are available for control, but this approach may
be harmful to other wildlife. As Section 6.1 outlines, present management practices (Alter-
native 2) tends to increase the potential for rodent problems because of the maintenance and
expansion of understory vegetation. Alternatives 1, 2, and 3 would all tend to reduce the
rodent problem by way of reducing the amount of understory vegetation.
Bird Habitat Enhancement
The AL is an attractive bird habitat because of its diversity of vegetative communities. With
habitat diversity comes bird diversity, ranging from shorebirds utilizing open beach and grass-
land areas to forest species (eg – painted buntings). Any alternatives which maintain habitat
diversity will have a positive impact on the bird community. Alternative 1, therefore, would be
the least likely to expand the diversity of bird populations. Alternative 4 would likely offer the
greatest increase in bird species because open-water ponds would attract ducks and other
species that utilize pond habitat.
Vegetation Removal
Land clearing is disruptive to existing habitats, but short-lived in its impacts. Replanting,
combined with natural propagation of seeds from adjacent plant communities, quickly re-estab-
lishes vegetative cover over any land sheltered from direct effects of ocean spray. All, but
Alternative 1 involve some form of vegetation thinning or removal. Thinning and pruning is a
recommended management technique which promotes healthy growth of plants. The activity
could be implemented in such a way as to recycle chips back to the soil or be used as mulch
along paths to inhibit regrowth. Where shrubs and trees have to be removed (Alternatives 3
and 4), heavier equipment such as bulldozers and mulching machines would facilitate the
work.
Dune and Pond Construction
Dunes along the oceanfront represent a primary line of defense during storms. As discussed
throughout this report, existing topography over the AL is low relief with few areas exceeding