(A) The department's responsibilities include the creation of a long-range and comprehensive beach management plan for the Atlantic Ocean shoreline in South Carolina. The plan must include all of the following:
(1) development of the data base for the state's coastal areas to provide essential information necessary to make informed and scientifically based decisions concerning the maintenance or enhancement of the beach/dune system;
(2) development of guidelines and their coordination with appropriate agencies and local governments for the accomplishment of:
(a) beach/dune restoration and nourishment, including the projected impact on coastal erosion rates, cost/benefit of the project, impact on flora and fauna, and funding alternatives;
(b) development of a beach access program to preserve the existing public access and enhance public access to assure full enjoyment of the beach by all residents of this State;
(c) maintenance of a dry sand and ecologically stable beach;
(d) protection of all sand dunes seaward of the setback line;
(e) protection of endangered species, threatened species, and important habitats such as nesting grounds;
(f) regulation of vehicular traffic upon the beaches and the beach/dune system which includes the prohibition of vehicles upon public beaches for nonessential uses;
(g) development of a mitigation policy for construction allowed seaward of the setback line, which must include public access ways, nourishment, vegetation, and other appropriate means;
(3) formulation of recommendations for funding programs which may achieve the goals set forth in the State Comprehensive Beach Management Plan;
(4) development of a program on public education and awareness of the importance of the beach/dune system, the project to be coordinated with the South Carolina Educational Television Network and Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism;
(5) assistance to local governments in developing the local comprehensive beach management plans.
(B) The plan provided for in this section is to be used for planning purposes only and must not be used by the department to exercise regulatory authority not otherwise granted in this chapter, unless the plan is created and adopted pursuant to Chapter 23 of Title 1.
(C) Notwithstanding any other provision of law contained in this chapter, the board, or the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, may allow the use in a pilot project of any technology, methodology, or structure, whether or not referenced in this chapter, if it is reasonably anticipated that the use will be successful in addressing an erosional issue in a beach or dune area. If success is demonstrated, the board, or the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, may allow the continued use of the technology, methodology, or structure used in the pilot project location and additional locations.
HISTORY: 1988 Act No. 634, Section 3; 1990 Act No. 607, Section 3; 1993 Act No. 181, Section 1235; 2014 Act No. 219 (S.1032), Section 1, eff June 2, 2014.
Effect of Amendment
2014 Act No. 219, Section 1, added subsection (C), relating to pilot projects to address beach and dune erosion.
Structure South Carolina Code of Laws
Title 48 - Environmental Protection and Conservation
Chapter 39 - Coastal Tidelands And Wetlands
Section 48-39-10. Definitions.
Section 48-39-20. Legislative declaration of findings.
Section 48-39-30. Legislative declaration of state policy.
Section 48-39-35. Coastal Division created.
Section 48-39-45. Coastal Zone Management Advisory Council created; membership; duties.
Section 48-39-50. Powers and duties of department.
Section 48-39-60. Department of Natural Resources to provide additional personnel.
Section 48-39-70. Cooperation of other agencies and commissions; administration of oaths; subpoenas.
Section 48-39-80. Development of coastal management program.
Section 48-39-85. "Adopt-a-Beach" program.
Section 48-39-90. Public hearings on management plan.
Section 48-39-100. Plan developed in cooperation with local governments.
Section 48-39-110. Submission of plan by State Ports Authority.
Section 48-39-130. Permits required to utilize critical areas.
Section 48-39-135. Protection of certain golf courses seaward of the baseline.
Section 48-39-140. Submission of development plans; application for permits.
Section 48-39-150. Approval or denial of permits; appeal to council; exceptions.
Section 48-39-160. Violations; jurisdiction of courts.
Section 48-39-180. Judicial review of permit determinations.
Section 48-39-190. Lands not affected by chapter.
Section 48-39-220. Legal action to determine interest in tidelands.
Section 48-39-250. Legislative findings regarding the coastal beach/dune system.
Section 48-39-260. Policy statement.
Section 48-39-270. Definitions.
Section 48-39-280. Beach preservation policy established; notice requirements; appeals procedures.
Section 48-39-330. Disclosure statement.
Section 48-39-340. Distribution of funding.
Section 48-39-350. Local comprehensive beach management plan.