Included below is a copy of the DHEC-OCRM public notice confirming its extension of the public comment period for the Proposed Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines (the “Current Proposal”) to April 6, 2018.
DHEC-OCRM notes that the South Carolina legislature has mandated that the baseline may not be moved seaward (closer to the ocean) of its position on December 31, 2017, and it cautions that its decision to extend the comment period will affect property owners who own property where the proposed Baseline as described in the Current Proposal was anticipated to move seaward of the baseline.
It appears that, on Seabrook Island, either one or both of the proposed jurisdiction lines are located seaward of the current jurisdictional line. This seems to be true at the Pelican Watch Villas and near the areas from the west end of Beach Club Villas to Camp St. Christopher and beyond to the more westerly beachfront structures of the Camp.
Please check the DHEC-OCRM “viewer” at https://gis.dhec.sc.gov/shoreline/ to see how your property is affected.
DHEC-OCRM’s notice advises that owners of property located where the baseline was proposed to move seaward of the existing baseline should contact DHEC-OCRM before December 4th to receive information and guidance on its board review process. The DHEC notice also states, “It is the Department’s position that the December 31, 2017 date [mandated by the legislature] would be extended for landowners who file a timely request for review.”
We encourage you to read the entire notice.
-Submitted by Ron Ciancio, Mayor, Town of Seabrook Island
PUBLIC NOTICE
PROPOSED BEACHFRONT JURISDICTIONAL LINES
EXTENSION OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD
UNTIL APRIL 6, 2018
Based on comments received from landowners, community leaders, the conservation community, and others during the 30-day public comment period, the Department of Health and Environmental Control (Department) is extending the public comment period for the Proposed Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines (the “current proposal”), until April 6, 2018. As a result of this extension, the Department will begin to adopt final revised beachfront jurisdictional lines in May 2018 with all final revised lines published by December 31, 2018. A tentative adoption schedule for each beach will be available on the DHEC website on November 13, 2017.
The Department is extending the comment period to allow interested persons time to meet with Department staff, understand the Department’s methodology in setting the jurisdictional lines and bring any additional information to the Department’s attention for consideration. Comments may be submitted online or in writing. Please visit www.scdhec.gov/beachfrontlines for more information.
In 2016, S.C. Code Laws §48-39-280 was amended to prohibit the baseline from moving seaward from its position on December 31, 2017. The Department’s decision to adopt revised lines after December 31 affects landowners who own property where the baseline was proposed to move seaward of the existing baseline under the Department’s current proposal. To view the proposed lines for your property, please visit https://gis.dhec.sc.gov/shoreline/
If you are a landowner who owns property where the baseline was proposed to move seaward of the existing baseline, under the Department’s current proposal, or if you are a landowner who contends other information may prove the baseline on your property should move seaward of the existing baseline, please contact the Department with the information requested below prior to December 4, 2017 to receive information and guidance on board review under S.C. Code Laws §44-1-60. Note that the Department will attempt to proactively reach out to these property owners. S.C. Code Laws §44-1-60(J) states “[a]ny statutory deadlines applicable to permitting and licensing programs administered by the department must be extended to all (sic) for this final review process.” It is the Department’s position that the December 31 date would be extended for landowners who file a timely request for review under S.C. Code Laws §44-1-60.
To receive information and guidance on board review, please provide the following information via electronic mail [ocrm-comments@dhec.sc.gov] or phone (843-953-0200) prior to December 4, 2017:
- Property Address
- Name of Owner(s)
- Mailing Address of Owner(s)
- Contact Name
- Contact Telephone Number
- Contact Email Address