Sand from federal waters to help restore South Carolina beaches

With authorization from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), the Army Corps of Engineers and Horry County, South Carolina, will use sand from federal waters to restore the Garden City and Surfside Beach areas.

“BOEM is pleased to support Horry and Georgetown counties in this project,” BOEM Director Abigail Ross Hopper said. “The local economy stands to benefit as the project will help protect infrastructure from storm damage, help mitigate erosion that threatens recreational, cultural, and biological resources, and help sustain habitats that support various birds and animals, including sea turtles.”

The beaches were damaged in flooding and erosion due to Hurricane Joaquin in October 2015, as well as subsequent strong tides, which resulted in 70 percent dune loss in the area. Through the BOEM authorization, the restoration efforts can use up to 1 million cubic yards of sand taken from federal waters.

“Shore protection and healthy beaches are not only important to our quality of life, but also protect people and property along our coast from hurricanes and coastal storms,” Horry County Administrator Chris Eldridge said. “We value our partnership with BOEM and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and are excited the corps will begin the renourishment process for Reach 3 in a couple of months and will wrap up prior to next year’s summer and hurricane season.”