This summer, SIPOA has two interns participating in the Engineering Intern Program. Maria Miller is a Biosystems Engineering student from Clemson University. She is excited to be here and is looking forward to seeing how classroom calculations and design are translated into real world stormwater solutions. Alex Arquette is a Johns Island native and recent graduate in Geography and Economics from the University of South Carolina. He is looking forward to applying his GIS skills to stormwater resiliency applications on Seabrook Island.
Maria and Alex will be working on updating SIPOA’s stormwater outfall maintenance program among other projects this summer. If you see them out on the island or in the marsh surveying, please welcome them to Seabrook Island!
Many residents have noticed the erosion that has occurred at Boardwalk 9. In the past several years, erosion has shortened the length of this boardwalk and caused some significant changes to the beach in this area. Currently, the boardwalk is open and accessible, but residents access the beach differently than they have in the past, as shown in the attached photo.
There are plans to improve the condition of the beach in this area. SIPOA plans to conduct a sand scraping project to relocate 150,000 cubic yards of sand along Seabrook Island’s shoreline. The sand scraping permit requires that this work be completed between October 1 and December 31 to avoid impacts to beach habitat. Beginning in October 2026, sand will be collected from the intertidal beach in the area in front of Boardwalk 1, and hauled by truck along the beach to be placed in the area in front of Boardwalk 9. Enough sand will be relocated to create a 100 foot-wide dry sand beach in front of Boardwalk 9. SIPOA is also working to obtain permits to repair the old seawall that has become exposed in this area. If permits are received prior to October 1, the seawall repair may also be completed in 2026.
SIPOA regularly monitors the condition of the Seabrook Island shoreline, and plans for shoreline rehabilitation projects such as these in the annual capital budget. SIPOA also maintains a reserve fund for beach repair and maintenance that can be used to respond to storm damage or other emergencies.
We appreciate your patience as we work to keep the Seabrook Island shoreline in great condition.
The marsh excavation work at the stormwater pipe outfall from Oyster Catcher Ct. has been completed. This project allows for better stormwater drainage during and after a rain event. This stormwater pipe was originally installed approximately 50 years ago. Over time, the marsh changed and accreted significantly in front of the stormwater pipe outfall. This adversely effects the ability to move stormwater.
The before and after photographs clearly demonstrate the impact of this work. A stormwater check valve will also be installed at the end of this pipe to prevent tidal flooding on Oyster Catcher Ct.
The undersized pipe has been replaced with a 2ft by 4ft box culvert to increase the flow capacity between the two ponds within the finger lakes.
The road has been replaced and is open to vehicle and pedestrian traffic.
OYSTER CATCHER OUTFALL EXCAVATIONS
The stormwater outfall excavation into the marsh from Oyster Catcher Drive is nearly complete. As of this writing, the contractor has completed 450 out of 500 feet of new channel excavation.
The project should be completed by early April and will provide improved stormwater drainage after a rain event in this area.
FINGER LAKES OUTFALL STRUCTURE REPLACEMENT
Construction will begin in early April to replace the outfall structure that discharges stormwater from the finger lakes into the marsh.
New automated controls will be installed to more effectively control water levels in the lakes and prevent tidal flooding into the ponds.
Spring has arrived on Seabrook Island, and with the warmer weather comes increased activity from our island wildlife – including alligators.
Seabrook Island is home to a healthy population of American alligators, a native and important South Carolina species. Seeing an alligator in or near freshwater ponds and wetlands is a normal part of living in a coastal environment. With awareness and simple precautions, residents and visitors can safely coexist with these remarkable animals.
SIPOA maintains an Alligator Program Policy that guides staff response to alligator-related calls and concerns. This policy includes information about alligator habitats and behavior, helping staff determine when an alligator is behaving naturally – and when it may meet the criteria of a “nuisance alligator” under the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Nuisance Alligator Program.
UNDERSTANDING ALLIGATOR BEHAVIOR
Alligators are generally shy and prefer to avoid people. They do not naturally view humans as prey. However, when alligators are fed – intentionally or unintentionally – they can begin to associate people with food. This learned behavior can make them bold and potentially aggressive.
Feeding or harassing an alligator not only endangers people and pets, but also ultimately harms the alligator. In South Carolina, it is illegal to feed or harass alligators.
Even tossing objects or splashing near the water can attract unwanted attention, as movement in the water signals a possible food source.
FOR YOUR SAFETY
Please follow these important guidelines:
Never feed alligators. Feeding them puts everyone at risk.
Keep your distance. Alligators can move quickly on land and in water.
Keep pets on a leash and away from pond edges.
Supervise children closely near any freshwater pond or wetland.
Do not attempt to move an alligator, even if it is in the roadway.
Do not approach nests or small alligators. Mother alligators are very protective.
Do not corner, trap, or throw objects at an alligator.
Remain alert around the shoreline of ponds and wetlands, especially at dawn and dusk when wildlife is most active.
SIPOA ALLIGATOR PROGRAM POLICY HIGHLIGHTS
SIPOA follows SCDNR guidelines when responding to concerns:
Alligators less than four feet in length are generally not considered a threat to people or pets.
Alligators four feet or longer that pose a demonstrable threat to people, pets, or property may be classified as “nuisance alligators.”
If removal is warranted, a professional alligator trapper licensed by SCDNR will be contacted. Under state regulations, nuisance alligators must be euthanized.
If you observe an alligator behaving aggressively or in a manner that appears unsafe, please contact the Gatehouse at (843) 768-6641. SIPOA staff will assess the situation in accordance with established policy.
By respecting wildlife and following these simple precautions, we can continue to safely enjoy the natural beauty that makes Seabrook Island so special.
As spring gets closer, our annual oak leaf shed is underway. In an effort to keep these leaves out of our stormwater pipes and ponds, SIPOA will be working to collect these leaves.
Beginning Monday, March 16th, SIPOA will temporarily discontinue leaf blowing activities. Instead, street sweepers will be utilized to collect leaves from the roadways.
A picture of the street sweeper is shown below. Leaf collection will be carried out for a period of 5 weeks and will end on April 17th.
Last year, we were able to collect approximately 250 cubic yards of leaf debris from our roadways! The street sweeper cannot remove any leaves that are more than 6″ deep, and piling leaves on the roadways is not encouraged.
Thank you for your patience with leaf debris on the road as we work to keep our stormwater system functioning at its best.
Work to replace a pipe culvert between two ponds on Old Forest Drive continues. The picture below shows the new box culvert that is being installed. The road surface has been removed along with the old pipe. The new box culvert is 4’x2’ and made of concrete, and can be seen in the photo. You can also see the two large blue “aqua dams” that serve as a cofferdam structure to keep water out of the excavation area.
The road will remain closed for another 3-5 weeks until the work is complete and the road is repaved.
Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our stormwater system in great condition.
Beginning Monday (2/2/26) Sandlapper Waste will be providing all trash, recycling, brown & white, and yard waste collection services for SIPOA. They did a great job distributing over 2,100 new trash carts to residents this week. The new carts match the style of the existing recycle carts and have improved curb appeal over the older mix of trash carts.
If for some reason you did not receive a new trash cart, please email trash@sipoa.org to request a new one that will be delivered next week.
There will be a new trash compactor delivered to the recycle center on Monday (2/2/26).
All trash, recycling, and yard waste related questions should be sent to trash@sipoa.org. SIPOA and Sandlapper Waste are committed to providing timely responses to all emails sent to this address.
