SC Beach Advocates conclude annual meeting with remarks from state officials

ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) – SC Beach Advocates held a panel with the state’s lawmakers involving questions about funding for future beach management projects on Friday.

The last day of the conference provided sessions about water and policy challenges, economic benefits of South Carolina’s beaches, the governor’s address, and coastal resilience. As speakers presented evidence of sea level rise and beach erosion, local leaders look for ways to find funding to take proactive measures like beach renourishment projects.

“Well we’re hoping we’re going to get a way forward with our legislature on beach nourishment, taking care of our beaches from our tourism and everything that the coastal communities provide for the state. So, just communicating the necessity of taking care of our beaches,” Crawford Moore, mayor of Edisto Beach, said.

State senators and representatives proposed a possible dedicated funding source or statewide impact fee that they could bring attention to during the legislative session. However, they said it may not be accomplished this year.

“We know there’s going to be some obstacles to some of that because it’s not a statewide thing. But then again we do feel like there’s a way forward with that. Not necessarily right now for long-term, but short-term funding,” Crawford said.

Gov. Henry McMaster made an address where he emphasized that the state’s beaches and recreation remain a large draw for visitors and those moving here. He said he plans to find a solution to help the coastal communities retain their environments.

“We got to be careful, very careful with our beaches, with our waters, with our forests. We take great, great care to provide money for our beach renourishment, for the marsh islands, for the barrier islands. We got a lot of studying going on. The recreation and the health value is really outstanding to our state. We work hard on those things and it’s paid off,” McMaster said.