01/30/2009
D
R
A
F
T
CSE
–S&W–DEW [DRAFT]
Accreted Land Management Plan
165
2253 [30 JANUARY 2009]
Town of Sullivan’s Island, SC
12 ft above mean sea level. With average land elevations around 8-9 ft, the AL would provide
significantly improved storm-surge protection if even a low dune were constructed. Scenario
1 in Section 5.5 described the potential impact of a dune 75 ft wide at the base with a crest
elevation at ~14 ft above mean sea level. Such a dune would require the equivalent of about
one-half dump truck load of sand per foot of shoreline or ~100,000 cy total if it is placed along
an existing low ridge. Volumes of this order are presently available as attached shoals (sand
bars) along the beach. An alternative sand source could be low areas within the AL. Exca-
vations of low areas could be configured to leave shaped ponds within or adjacent to maritime
interdunal wetlands or hardwood depressions. Assuming the optimum excavation depth for
open-water ponds is a couple of feet below mean sea level, removal of 100,000 cy could cre-
ate ponds totaling ~8–12 acres. Obviously, greater excavation volumes could increase these
totals while offering a larger protective dune. Costs of earthmoving for projects of this nature
are typically in the range of $5–$10 per cubic yard.
6.3 Community Worksheet
The final ALMP will depend on the specific goals and objectives to be emphasized by the
community (Town of Sullivan’s Island 2007). The present version of this report (January 2009)
is preliminary to holding community forums and discussing the advantages and disadvantages
of various management approaches. Four broad alternatives are offered herein to facilitate
the discussion. These are not to be interpreted as the only alternatives. Nor should they be
assumed applicable to all portions of the AL. It may be appropriate to emphasize and imple-
ment a combination of alternatives. For example, portions of the western half of the AL, which
are already heavily forested, may be most suited to apply Alternative 1. Portions of the east-
ern half of the AL may be more suitable for adding ponds and a higher dune. The following
matrix (Table 6.1) is provided to assist readers in noting the issues that are of greatest concern
or that should be emphasized in the final ALMP based on review of the data herein and per-
sonal experience. This is intended to foster discussion and lead to consensus on which
aspects of the ALMP to emphasize.
6.4 Funding Sources and Community Assistance Grants
As part of the Team’s work for the Town, funding sources and grants were investigated that
may be available to the Town in connection with management of the accreted land (Appendix
11). Some funding sources are associated with wildlife enhancement. An idea that the Team
is developing includes establishment of an Audubon-sponsored nature/interpretive center near
the western end of the AL area. Given the number of bird species observed in the area and
the strategic location of the AL along the East Coast flyway, a nature center would be an asset
for the Charleston region as well as for the Town of Sullivan’s Island.