Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone: 843.958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number: 2872

Date: April 15, 2008

 

Note to Media: If you would like to cover this event, meet at the far end of the parking lot at the Folly Beach County Park. Call or e-mail Jennie Davis, Public Information Officer, no later than April 24, to set up interviews for the day of the event. Charleston County contact on the day of the event will be Clayton Wine.

SEE PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS PROJECT: http://www.charlestoncounty.org/newsimages/dune.htm

Volunteers Needed for Build-A-Dune Project on April 26

            County-sponsored project uses volunteers to install sand dune fencing at the Folly Beach County Park.

Charleston County’s Project Impact initiative is sponsoring a Build-a-Dune Project at the Folly Beach County Park. Volunteers are being asked to help install sand dune fencing on Saturday, April 26, beginning at 9 a.m. near the far end of the park’s parking lot.

“The enhanced dune system provides protection for the barrier islands and inland areas against coastal storm-related flood losses,” said Joni Rennhack, who coordinates Charleston County’s Project Impact initiative. “The first part of the project will be the sand fencing, which is installed in a pattern that is conducive to sea turtle nesting.”

The Build-a-Dune Project will cover approximately 875 linear feet with a new dune system.

There are several steps to building the dune:

• Site location selection

• Permitting process

• Installation of posts in proper locations

• Installation of sand fencing

• Sign placement by dunes to advise the public to stay away from the area under construction

• Sea oat planting

Sea oats are planted on the dune system to stabilize the new dunes. The sea oat planting typically occurs approximately a year after the sand fencing is installed and the sand has had a chance to accumulate from the wind on the fencing units.

This is the fifth Build-a-Dune Project that Charleston County’s Project Impact has sponsored. The Build-a-Dune Projects completed so far have helped establish new dune systems for over 3,100 linear feet in two communities: Sullivan’s Island and Isle of Palms.

Volunteers have provided the labor to install the sand fencing and plant sea oats for each of the Build-a-Dune projects. Build-a-Dune projects are environmental service projects that are suitable for children and adults.

“These projects are environmentally friendly and cost significantly less than other types of beach renourishment projects,” said Carl Simmons, Director of Charleston County’s Building Services Department. “They help to provide wildlife habitat and protection against coastal flooding in our beachfront areas.”

Anyone interested in volunteering may contact Joni Rennhack with Project Impact at (843) 202-6940 or jrennhack@charlestoncounty.org. Visit the Charleston County Web site at www.charlestoncounty.org for news, services and up-to-date information relating to Charleston County Government.