Update from SC Department of Environmental Services

We continue to closely monitor Tropical Storm Debby and potential impacts in the coming days.  In order to better triage and expedite the deployment of damage assessment teams (if necessary) following the event, we ask that residents and officials report damage to beachfront structures, including seawalls, revetments, dune walkovers and erosion using SCDES BCM's MyCoast web and mobile application.  If it's easier, please email me any storm damage reports. 

 We appreciate your support in reporting this information as it directly assists staff with prioritizing post-disaster damage assessment and coordination with coastal counties and municipalities. Property owners should also report damage to structures, including homes, to their local building officials.

 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.

Please be aware that SCDES BCM must be notified within 72 hours of any work on the beach associated with preparing or responding to the effects of Tropical Storm Debby performed by coastal counties or municipalities. The notification will provide necessary information regarding site location, property owner contact, work performed and is used for tracking purposes post-storm to ensure compliance with coastal permitting regulations. Additionally, the notification allows the Department to coordinate with the property owners regarding the financial commitment for the deployment of sandbags to ensure their timely removal when structures are no longer threatened from erosion.

-South Carolina Department of Environmental Services, Bureau of Coastal Management