Since May 2007 PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON SC PERMIT NO 137 POSTAL PATRON
VOLUME 18 ISSUE 16
FREE
NOVEMBER 1, 2024
Fur or Feather?
Safety First
S T R I C T E R L E A S H L AW S T O P R O T E C T S H O R E B I R D S C O U L D C O M E T O K I AWA H
BEACH SAFETY PROMPTS DISCUSSION
BY THERESA STRATFORD
BY THERESA STRATFORD
For The Island Connection
For The Island Connection
Safety issues on Kiawah Island’s beach continue to dominate Town Council meetings, and the October 1 meeting was no different. The issues at hand were once again the use of the Shibumi Shades, e-bikes, vehicles, dogs and pedestrian access points. Town Council Member Russell Berner chairs the public safety committee. He brought up the fact that every member of the committee was in favor of banning Shibumis after the Kiawah Beach patrol reported that they had a hard time looking down the beach on busy days due to the sun shades. Berner admitted that he wasn’t convinced that banning Shibumis would fix the problem. “They would just be replaced with something else, like a large tent or umbrella,” he said. Rob Edgerton with Kiawah Island’s Beach Patrol said that their line of vision has significantly changed since Shibumis have become more (continued on page 3) popular. A compromise could
Fall’s ‘Mane’ Event
THE STEEPLECHASE OF CHARLESTON IS BACK
PHOTO: STEEPLECHASEOFCHARLESTON.COM
T
he Steeplechase of Charleston, presented by Hendrick Lexus Charleston, is set to make its highly anticipated return on Sunday, November 10, at the Stono Ferry Racetrack in Hollywood. This premier fall event will feature five high-stakes horse races with a total purse of $100,000, attracting elite horses and jockeys from around the world. Race Director Toby Edwards describes the experience as “thrilling, with the sight and sound of thoroughbred racehorses racing past at high-speed providing an unforgettable atmosphere.” (continued on page 3) Beyond the races, attendees can
Visit us
K
iawah Island Town Council Member Madeleine Kaye presented a topic at the October 1 Kiawah Island Town Council meeting that has ruffled some feathers – quite literally. The issue at hand has to do with changing some of the details of their current pet restraint ordinance, and the reason for the consideration is directly related to the island’s shorebird population. Shorebirds from all over the world use Kiawah as a nesting place, as well as a spot for resting and feeding. The changes on the table are: 1. Shorten seasonal dog use area off-leash period by 15 days. 2. Add the maximum length of leash to 16 feet. 3. Add a requirement that pets must be on a leash adjacent to suitable nesting habitat when signs are present (typically between April 1 and July 1). Kaye went on to explain where the areas are located for off-leash dogs. “Currently, dogs are allowed without a leash on the mile-long stretch from The Beach Club out to The Ocean Course. We aren’t talking about eliminating that area, just reducing the time.” The seasonal area west of The Beach Club all the way to Beachwalker Park would remain a critical habitat area. Currently, the ordinance requires that leashes be used starting on March 15, but the change here would be moved to February 28. “The additional two weeks would give the red knots time during their migration from Antarctica to the Arctic,” Kaye said. Kaye mentioned that she realizes that this issue has garnered passionate responses from both sides people who want to protect shorebirds at all costs, and people who do not want to see changes to the leash ordinance. Due to these passionate responses, the Town of Kiawah Island’s Environmental Committee held a public forum on October 21. Kaye encouraged the public to attend future environmental committee meetings – the next one is on November 13 – and the Town Council meetings where they will read the ordinance at the first
OUR WEBSITE HAS:
WWW.LUCKYDOGNEWS.COM mylolowcountry . com
and second reading. “The emphasis will be on education. We want community engagement,” she added. Some of the solutions are to increase signage and to increase recognition of who is violating, like installing cameras. They have also talked about increasing Town personnel to monitor the areas and to enforce the ordinance. “But I can promise you that we won’t do anything until we get a lot more community input,” Kaye said. Town Council member Russell Berner commented that it is likely more than just dogs that are disrupting the shorebird nesting areas. He mentioned that people can also venture into their habitats, likely without knowing. Town Council Member Luke Farrell said, “I am a shorebird steward, and I see kids running birds off all the time. I don’t think anyone is doing it to be mean. They just don’t know. Better education needs to be our goal.” Kaye said that the Town needs more data before enforcing stricter rules. Here are facts about Shorebirds, according the Town of Kiawah Island: • The presence of large numbers of Red Knots (recently listed as Federally Threatened) on the Kiawah Island beach generally begins around March 1. Red knots are long-distance migrants and disturbance by pets can have a significant detrimental impact on their survival. Approximately 40% of the entire Eastern population of red knots relies on the Kiawah Island beach to rest and refuel during spring migration. • Nesting shorebirds are extremely vulnerable to disturbances which can lead to nest abandonment and failure. Shorebirds exhibit different flight responses to dogs compared to humans. When dogs approach, especially off-leash or running, shorebirds perceive a greater threat, leading to rapid takeoff and distancing from the area.
EXCLUSIVE DIGITAL CONTENT ABILITY TO SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER MORE PHOTOS & VIDEOS UPDATED EVENTS SO YOU NEVER MISS OUT ON WHAT'S HAPPENING IN THE COMMUNITY