The Greenery
They are currently sweeping streets and picking up leaves with the new leaf machine which is working well.
Adopt a Highway
Mary Torello has been the coordinator for the past year. She announced that the next trash pickup along Betsy Kerrison Parkway is February 27. She looks forward to a large volunteer turn out.
Wildlife Mapping
River otters have returned for the winter.
Waste Management
Rich Siegel is a new member leading this program.
Nature Trails
Steve Hirsch submitted a $15,000 estimate to cover all repairs to trails and boardwalks and to bring up to SIPOA standards as well as ongoing maintenance cost estimate of $10,000 a year. The EC voted to ask the board to approve a motion for SIPOA to take responsibility for the Nature Trails at the December 21st meeting.
Offshore Drilling
Barry Shedrow sent a report that the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) issued a Notice of Intent (NOI) to publish an Environmental Assessment (EA) regarding proposed commercial wind leasing and site assessment activities on South Carolina’s Atlantic Outer Continental Shelf.
The EC still plans to have an educational seminar in the spring along with Kiawah, who has asked to coordinate with us.
Deer Management
The deer fall survey has been completed. The EC Deer Management Task Force recommended the culling of 75 does during December and January. The EC approved the culling which will be forwarded to the Town of SBI and then the SIPOA board for final approval.
Wild Things
Charley reported on the newly formed birding group, which met on December 1. The official name is Seabrook Island Birders. A website is up and there will be a blog, a Facebook page and a Twitter account as well.
SIB will have its inaugural meeting and membership sign-up on January 20th in the Lake House Live Oak Room at 7 pm. Christine Fifer of Wild Birds Unlimited will be the guest speaker. All meetings are opened to island residents and guests.
Bluebirds
The group will soon begin to check boxes for maintenance.
Community Gardens
Valerie Doane is the new chairwoman.
Trash Issues
SIPOA dumpsters are being used incorrectly and trash is being dumped beside the compactor and in the area. Clearer signage has not helped. It is taking a lot of staff time to clean the area every day. The trash is from both island residents and contractors.
Submitted by
Jane Marvin
I would like to see the full copy of the Deer Fall Survey. I have been told 40 does were killed earlier this year. 75 more seems ridiculous!! I am suspect of this decision as there are so many people here who constantly complain about the deer eating their plants. With all the building taking place the deer are losing more and more open space to live plus food to feed them. The deer are among the most loved by many of us and the many visitors who visit here. We live on an island with all kinds of wildlife and yet people are annoyed with the wildlife instead of being grateful for the opportunity to see these animals especially the deer in their natural habitat! This was their land and we have intruded – it is our responsibility to adapt and enjoy instead of trying to eliminate them. Plant food for deer to eat and contribute to the environment you live in. Stop trying to change it into the suburbs most of us left for the beauty of this island.
how large is our deer population in ratio to the 75 to be eliminated? I do remember
hearing that we have to live with the wild life and especially the deer, and it is not difficult to do.We find much pleasure seeing them graze or walking by. I am sad and hope very much for the decision to be overturned.
I can’t believe you are “culling the herd” again! Weren’t 40 does already eliminated from SBI this year? Are you sneaking this in on us in December while we’re all wrapped up in Christmas and family? When my husand and I came to visit SBI for the first time, the one thing we really loved was the wildlife and their freedom to roam the island. Yes, deer present a problem when there is an over population, but residents moving here know they must plan deer resistant vegetation. The deer are part of what make SBI what it is! Please reconsider this! We won’t have any deer left at the rate that you’re eliminating them!
I am appalled that the EC is recommending the elimination of 75 ADDITIONAL does to be removed from SBI in December and January. Forty does were just eliminated earlier this year. Does the EC hate deer? On our first visit to SBI, we knew this was a special place because of the abundance of nature surrounding us, including the many deer. Last night when we arrived at SBI, we drove around the island at dusk. We didn’t see a single deer. This is so sad! Are you trying to sneak this past us during the holidays so we won’t notice? Please reconsidered eliminating this many deer!