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September 6, 2024
LOCAL NEWS
Message from Councilman A Perfect Pairing: Pierce on Isle Of Palms Friendship and Flavor at Beach Erosion Mex 1 Coastal Cantina page 5
page 9
PRESORT STANDARD US POSTAGE PAID CHARLESTON, SC PERMIT NO. 137
SULLIVAN'S ISLAND ISLE OF PALMS GOAT ISLAND DEWEES ISLAND
POSTAL PATRON
THE SLAND EYE
Honoring Our Heroes: Don’t Miss a Night of Reflection and Unity on Isle of Palms page 10
Sand Placement Project Breaks New Ground on Sullivan’s Island: A First for South Carolina By Joshua Uys For Island Eye News stockpiles to desired areas on the island, focusing on restoring dunes, improving storm resilience, and expanding the recreational area around Thompson Park. Additionally, the town plans to establish a 5,000-cubic-yard reserve stockpile on town property, which could be used locally in case of a storm or by individuals with permission from the town for dune nourishment on their property. This collaborative project with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is expected to cost between 10% and 20% of the typical expense of trucking in new sand for beach renourishment. Some residents are worried that this project, if successful, will provide only a fraction of the sand required on the beaches. Additionally, some are concerned that no money from the city’s Provided Beach Renourishment Fund is being used to replenish the beach The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has been with new sand or to maintain and vegetate the dunes. performing maintenance on the Intracoastal Waterway, clearing Traynum mentioned that it is very likely the sand will wash out into out disposal areas to allow for more efficient disposal of the Breach Inlet delta soon after placement, so the plan is to work dredged materials, while making room for future dredged closely with the USACE’s contractors to integrate these two material. As part of a beneficial use project, beach-compatible projects. When the USACE finishes placing sand in stockpile one sand is being relocated to the Isle of Palms and Sullivan's Island. and moves to work on stockpile two, the town can begin its During the Sullivan's Island Town Council meeting on Tuesday, supplemental project, following behind the USACE and moving Aug. 20, Steven Traynum of Coastal Science and Engineering sand to higher elevations as quickly as possible. and Dr. Nicole Elko of Elko Coastal Consultants provided an Work will occur around the clock through mid-October on update on the project. Sullivan's Island before moving to the Isle of Palms, with the “This has never been done before in South Carolina; there are USACE’s contractor aiming to minimize the closure zone to the only one or two examples in the country of clearing out a immediate construction areas, allowing public access along the disposal area and transferring it to the beach,” said Dr. Elko. beach. “We all just need to be patient; understand that the contractor has no experience doing this, and the Corps has never designed CARTA Secures $1.7 Million Budget something like this before. The next one will be a lot better.” Increase for 2025 Traynum announced that sand placement is finally on the horizon By Joshua Uys after many delays. All equipment is ready, vegetation has been For Island Eye News cleared, and the USACE is just waiting to create a large enough stockpile to allow for a continuous feed of sand before starting During a presentation to the Isle of Palms City Council on the placement. Tuesday, Aug. 27, Andrea Kozloski, deputy director of The sand placement will occur sequentially in three piles operations and support for the Charleston Area Regional along the lower intertidal beach—the area exposed during low Transportation Authority (CARTA), announced that the agency tide and submerged during high tide. Approximately 200,000 will receive a $1.7 million budget increase for fiscal year 2025. cubic yards of sand will be placed near Breach Inlet, with Kozloski also provided updates on ongoing projects. between 50,000 and 75,000 cubic yards in stockpile one, 75,000 This funding increase is primarily driven by federal cubic yards in stockpile two, and the remainder in stockpile contributions, which have risen due to inflationary pressures and three. increased ridership. These federal funds are allocated based on a The Town of Sullivan's Island is coordinating a supplemental formula that matches ridership numbers, helping CARTA address project to move up to 71,000 cubic yards of sand from these growing operational costs. (continued on page 2)