South Carolina State Regulation Encouraging Use of Living Shorelines

Owners of Waterfront property may apply to the Department of Health and Environmental Control (“DHEC”) for permission to establish “Living Shoreline” projects along the waterfront, which must meet certain standards. The program’s regulations indicate that Living Shorelines “are encouraged as an alternative to traditional hardened erosion control structures in estuarine environments because they provide an environmental benefit and reduce the environmental impacts associated with hardened structures. Living shoreline methods involve planting of native vegetation and/or the installation of other green infrastructure. Green infrastructure includes softer approaches to protecting estuarine shorelines and consists of materials that promote growth of native biological components and maintain continuity of the natural land-water interface.”