SC DHEC Extends Comments Period for Proposed Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines 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 South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) 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 DHEC 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. 

DHEC is extending the comment period to allow interested persons time to meet with DHEC staff, understand DHEC's methodology in setting the jurisdictional lines and bring any additional information to DHEC'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. DHEC's decision to adopt revised lines afterDecember 31 affects landowners who own property where the baseline was proposed to move seaward of the existing baseline under DHEC's current proposal. To view the proposed lines for your property, please visithttps://gis.dhec.sc.gov/shoreline/. 

Landowners who own property where the baseline was proposed to move seaward of the existing baseline, under DHEC'S current proposal, or landowners who contend other information may prove the baseline on your property should move seaward of the existing baseline, please contact DHEC 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 DHEC 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 DHEC must be extended to all (sic) for this final review process." It is DHEC'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 email at 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