Dear Residents,

We hope that you have stayed safe and avoided damages and other negative effects from Tropical Storm Debby.  We anticipate that some damage will inevitably occur, especially to our beaches. In an effort to expedite sand scraping and minor beach renourishment efforts following the storm, an emergency order has been issued by the state.  Please follow the guidance below to request a permit; in addition, you will need a permit from the Town once you have received the permit from the state, DHEC.  For the Town to issue a permit, you will just need to upload your DHEC permit.

If you need additional information, please contact Charles Drayton (cdrayton@sullivansisland.sc.gov) or Rebecca Fanning (rfanning@sullivansisland.sc.gov) with the Town. 

We will also be conducting windshield damage assessments following the storm.

Statewide Emergency Orders have been issued to allow property owners along the immediate beachfront to conduct minor renourishment, sand scraping or install sandbags to provide temporary protection to beachfront structures from wave uprush. The accomplishment of any work under an issued Emergency Order in response to the impacts of Hurricane/Tropical Storm Debby is limited to only those habitable structures and critical infrastructure that would be deemed in an imminent danger from erosion. These orders will remain in effect for 30 days from the date of issuance and can be found here, Tropical Storm Debby Recovery and Requirements | South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (sc.gov).

Please also be advised that federal authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE, may be required for work on the beach. You must coordinate with the USACE to determine if federal authorization is required. Please use the following link to assist you in understanding federal requirements. http://www.sac.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/ 

Additionally, sea turtle nesting season officially extends until October 31. Anyone working on the beach is advised to exercise extreme care to ensure there are no impacts to this endangered species.  R.30-15(H) states that "In an effort to protect Loggerhead turtle nesting sites, emergency orders issued [by an appointed official of a county or municipality] between April 15th and November 1st must be reviewed by the Department prior to actual performance of the activity authorized by the emergency order." The contractors performing work under an emergency order shall be in direct contact with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Marine Turtle Conservation Program (MTCP) representative. Daily, early surveys of the beach are performed to document turtle nesting activity and MTCP representative shall be consulted each morning prior to any work being performed on the beach. In the event a nest is disturbed during construction and/or sea turtle adult is encountered, all work should cease and the DNR MTCP should be contacted immediately. The MTCP is Michelle Pate who can be reached at 843-953-9052 (office) or PateS@dnr.sc.gov.

If you need additional information, please contact Charles Drayton (cdrayton@sullivansisland.sc.gov) or Rebecca Fanning (rfanning@sullivansisland.sc.gov) with the Town. 

We will also be conducting windshield damage assessments following the storm.