Sullivan’s Island, South Carolina, is making significant efforts to address the challenges posed by sea level rise. The town’s leadership is working on a comprehensive Sea Level Rise Adaptation and Resilience Plan, which aims to secure the island’s future by engaging the local community, preserving natural resources, restoring natural systems, and adapting to inevitable changes.
Aiming for Long-Term Resilience
The plan, which focuses on the next 50 years, recognizes that barrier islands like Sullivan’s Island are naturally vulnerable due to their low elevation and susceptibility to flooding and storms. Brooke Blosser, the Land, Water, and Wildlife Project Manager for the Coastal Conservation League, explained the importance of addressing these risks. The goal is to use nature-based solutions to reduce the impact of flooding, erosion, and rising tides, which will ultimately protect the island’s infrastructure and ecosystem.
Nature-Based Solutions for Protection
Rebecca Fanning, the Director of Resilience and Natural Resource Management for the Town of Sullivan’s Island, emphasized using natural resources to combat flooding. For example, sandy soils on certain parts of the island can help absorb and drain water efficiently, while areas with higher groundwater tables could use trees and plant life to pump water back into the atmosphere. These strategies not only aim to reduce flood risks but also offer additional benefits such as enhancing biodiversity, addressing heat island effects, and improving water quality by filtering stormwater runoff.
Raising the Ben Sawyer Causeway
A key component of the plan includes raising the Ben Sawyer Causeway, which is a vital link connecting Sullivan’s Island to the mainland. The proposal suggests raising the elevation of the causeway approaches on both sides, although the drawbridge itself would not be altered. This change is aimed at improving the evacuation route and ensuring safe access to and from the island, which is especially important during storm events when floodwaters can make it difficult to travel.
Community Involvement in Resilience Efforts
The Town of Sullivan’s Island encourages residents to participate in the town’s resilience efforts by adopting simple measures such as rain gardens and living shorelines on their properties. According to Blosser, rain gardens are effective at absorbing stormwater and redirecting it into the ground, while living shorelines help restore marsh areas, filter water, and reduce erosion. The town also plans to introduce a recognition program to reward residents who adopt these nature-based strategies.
The Final Plan
The Town Council of Sullivan’s Island will review and adopt the final Sea Level Rise Adaptation and Resilience Plan on August 19th. The plan represents the town’s commitment to ensuring that Sullivan’s Island remains a resilient community in the face of rising sea levels and climate change.
