Completed: Sep 5, 2014
Storm Damage Reduction Project
Council Meeting Begin Process
Dec 31 2001
Reconnaissance Study
Completed: Aug 10, 2019
Feb 12 2004
Feasibility Study
Completed: Mar 20, 2014
Aug 10 2006
Public Hearing
Completed: Oct 29, 2006
Oct 29 2006
Public Hearing
Completed: Aug 26, 2013
Aug 26 2013
Feasibility Study Completed and Presented to Civil Works Board
Completed: Mar 20, 2014
Aug 10 2006
Federally Approved Project
Completed: Sep 5, 2014
Sep 5 2014
Preliminary Design Agreement
Feb 12 2015
Notification Project Funding Appropriated
Completed: Jul 5, 2018
Jul 5 2018
Public Hearing
Completed: Sep 24, 2018
Sep 24 2018
Public Hearing
Completed: Jan 14, 2019
Jan 14 2019
Mtg with USACE/Inlet Reach/PEL
Completed: Jan 30, 2020
Jan 30 2020
Letter to Inlet Reach Homeowners
Completed: Mar 3, 2020
Mar 2 2020
Council Meeting
Completed: May 19, 2020
May 19 2020
Council Meeting (withdraw from project)
Completed: Jun 11, 2020
Jun 11 2020
Council Meeting (Rescind Withdrawal)
Completed: Oct 8, 2020
Oct 8 2020
WRDA 2020 (Provision not included)
Completed: Dec 21, 2020
Dec 21 2020
Obtain State Funding
Completed: Jun 30, 2022
Jun 30 2022
Project Partnership Agreement Executed
Completed: Feb 27, 2023
Feb 27 2023
Beachfront Owners Public Meeting
Completed: Oct 30, 2023
Oct 30 2023
General Public Meeting
Completed: Nov 8, 2023
Nov 8 2023
Project Survey Work
Dec 11 2023
Project Appraisal Work
Aug 1 2024
Develop 95% Design
Feb 28 2025
Develop Contracting Package
May 30 2025
Issue RFP
June 25 2025
Open Bids
Aug 4 2025
Contract Award
Sep 2 2025
Notice to Proceed
Oct 7 2025
Construction Completion
May 8 2026
In 2001, the Town began working with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to develop the Town's Hurricane and Storm Damage and Reduction Project which received Congressional approval in 2014. Even though the project was authorized, it did not receive obligated funds ($22.2 M) until appropriated in 2018. This project was designed to reduced storm damages and also provide a more secure funding source. The cost share is 65% fed/35% local on the initial construction and 50%/50% on subsequent nourishments. The cost share for storm damage is 100% federal.
This project consists of 16,530 feet long, 15 feet high, 15 feet wide vegetated dune along Atlantic Reaches. It also includes 16,530 feet berm built at the existing berm height (7ft). The berm would start at the Atlantic Reach South (15 ft high dune), and would gradually taper over 1,900 feet into a 50 feet wide berm that would extend 6,330 feet along the Atlantic Reaches. The berm would widen over another 560 feet into a 75 ft wide berm that would extend 7,740 feet to Groin 1.
The initial project included the inlet reach and the Town has asked this be removed. The groin portion of the project as initially proposed was completed by the Town in 2017.
Mark Aakhus, Project Manager
United States Army Corps of Engineers, Chrissa Waite
Documents
June 11, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes
June 11, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes
October 8, 2020 Council Meeting Minutes
Project Updates
USACE Public Presentation
Thursday, November 9, 2023
Use the below link to view the Public Presentation.
Easement and Construction Line Map Viewer
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Use the below link to view the project easement and construction lines.
Project Partnership Agreement Executed
Monday, February 27, 2023
Local Funding Acquired
Friday, July 29, 2022
$7,500,000 was approved in the SC State budget for Edisto Beach's local match for this project.
Beachfront Management Committee Continues to Support Project
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
US Army Corps of Engineers Beachfront Management Committee June 23, 2021 Minutes excerpt
Administrator Hill informed the committee that the Town had asked the USACE for a one-year extension before committing to the project. She informed everyone that USACE did not approve the extension and requested an answer by July 16, 2021. Ms. Hill proposed two potential funding options, which includes issuing a referendum or requesting the Town Council commit to the funding. Chairman Lovelace suggested the elected officials make the final decision and not the public when it came to funding the beach renourishment. Administrator Hill discussed impacts of a referendum verses Town Council voting on the funding. Matthew Kizer voiced concerns about the USACE project and access and reconfirmed he felt that the State and County should fund beach nourishment. Bill Davies mentioned that he thought preserving the beachfront was the most important part of preserving the community and that funding from the US Army Corps of Engineers for this project was the best way to go. Paul Oakley and Dallas Lovelace agreed with this decision. Paul Oakley moved to request that Town Council sign the agreement with US Army Corps of Engineers to advance the beach renourishment project without a referendum, seconded by Bill Davies. Bob Ringer mentioned that the beachfront may need to be nourished before 2027 and Ms. Hill mentioned the upcoming hurricane season possibly being an issue. Paul Oakley stated that the US Army Corps of Engineers was a long term engineered solution for the Town. David Blauch stated that most of the beachfront homeowners are worried about visitors trespassing across private property because of the erosion. After discussion, Chairman Lovelace asked that a separate document be drafted to explain the right of way issues to the public. After discussion, the motioned that was seconded was approved by a 6-1 vote. Matthew Kizer was opposed.