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Charleston County News Release

MEDIA CONTACT

Name:   Jennie Davis, Charleston County Public Information Officer

Phone:  843.958.4012

Email:   jdavis@charlestoncounty.org

Release Number:  2983

Date:  March 5, 2009

Volunteers Needed for March 21 Build-A-Dune Project on Folly Beach

Charleston County's Project Impact uses volunteers to plant sea oats at the Folly Beach County Park.

Charleston County's Project Impact initiative needs volunteers for a Build-a-Dune Project that will be held at the Folly Beach County Park. Volunteers are being asked to help plant sea oats on Saturday, March 21, beginning at 9 a.m. near the far end of the park's parking lot. The sea oats will be planted on dunes that are forming around sand fencing that Project Impact volunteers installed in April of 2008.

"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 was the sand fencing installation, and now we are going to plant sea oats to help stabilize the new dune system." 

The Build-a-Dune Project covers approximately 875 linear feet at the Folly Beach County Park with a new dune system.  

There are several steps to building a 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

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 on 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 can 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.