Category: Engineering

Beach Management Update

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Engineering, Environmental, Get the Scoop, GOMC

Next month, SIPOA will begin a sand scraping project to relocate sand from an area of the beach with an abundant sand supply to an area of the beach with a diminished sand supply.

150,000 cubic yards of sand will be moved from the intertidal beach in the area in front of Boardwalk 1 to the area between Boardwalks 7 and 9. Many residents have noticed the erosion at the end of Boardwalk 9 and the recently closed Boardwalk 7. This project will rebuild the dry sand beach in these areas and in front of the seawall.

If you would like to know more about this project and/or other beach management-related topics, please plan to attend the next Get the Scoop Presentation on September 14th at 3:00 PM at Oyster Catcher Community Center. Patrick Barrineau (Coastal Science & Engineering) and I will present on the sand scraping project. They will also provide an update on the status of the future Captain Sams Inlet Relocation project.

Beneath the Surface – Shoreline Focus

On By SIPOAIn Beach, Beach Projects, Engineering, GOMC, Infrastructure

COMMUNITY EDUCATION – SIPOA INFRASTRUCTURE

SIPOA maintains a wide range of infrastructure on the island including stormwater, roads, beaches, and lakes. In an effort to help educate residents on how SIPOA manages this infrastructure, we have created an Infrastructure Master Plan. This page serves as a dashboard that outlines SIPOA’s infrastructure management practices. Each month we will highlight a different piece of the Infrastructure Master Plan.

Managing Seabrook Island’s Dynamic Shoreline

When Seabrook Island was developed in the 1970’s, the beach looked very different than it does today. Several unsuccessful shoreline management strategies were implemented before finally establishing stability through an innovative inlet relocation program.

The history of Seabrook Island’s Shoreline Management Program is outlined here.

FUN FACT: Did you know the 2026 sand scraping project will mark the 12th time SIPOA has completed the work?

Yard Debris Removal Update & BW7 Closed

On By SIPOAIn Boardwalks, Engineering, Severe Weather

Yard Debris Removal Update

SIPOA’s yard debris contractor, Sandlapper Waste, has been working hard to remove yard debris associated with the storm on Saturday. They filled two trucks today and plan to return to the island on Friday to continue removing yard debris. 

Residents are reminded that only Property Owner-generated yard debris is to be placed on the curb. 

If you have a landscape contractor working on your yard, the contractor needs to haul away that yard debris rather than placing it on the curb. 

Thank you for your cooperation as we work to keep our roadways clean.

Boardwalk 7 Closed

The beach has experienced some erosion at the bottom of Boardwalk 7. 

The drop off from the bottom step to the beach / rocks is currently unsafe. 

The boardwalk is temporarily closed until further notice.

Infrastructure Master Plan

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Infrastructure, Intern Program

COMMUNITY EDUCATION – SIPOA INFRASTRUCTURE

SIPOA maintains a wide range of infrastructure on the island including stormwater, roads, beaches, and lakes. In an effort to help educate residents on how SIPOA manages this infrastructure, we have created an Infrastructure Master Plan. This page serves as a dashboard that outlines SIPOA’s infrastructure management practices. Each month we will highlight a different piece of the Infrastructure Master Plan.

STORMWATER OUTFALLS

A stormwater outfall is the point where stormwater leaves a stormwater pipe and enters the downstream marsh.

The marsh is always changing and the path the stormwater takes from the pipe to the tidal channel must be maintained as part of the stormwater infrastructure.

This summer, the engineering interns completed an in-depth survey and condition assessment of all 64 stormwater outfalls on Seabrook Island. The results of this study are presented in one of our newest pieces, Stormwater Outfall Management Program. This program outlines past, present, and future outfall maintenance practices.

We hope that this tool helps residents understand more about this piece of SIPOA’s infrastructure.

Captain Sams Inlet Relocation Permit Application Status Update

On By SIPOAIn Beach Projects, Engineering

SIPOA began preparations to submit a permit application for the 4th Captain Sams Inlet Relocation project in the spring of 2025 by meeting with project stakeholders and collecting their feedback.  A permit application was filed with the SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) in October 2025.

In March of 2026, a settlement agreement was proposed that would transfer ownership of Captain Sams Spit from Kiawah Development Partners to the State of SC.  This settlement agreement is proceeding through the state budgeting process, but the timeline for final approval and property transfer is not clear at this time.  As part of the permit requirements with SCDES and USACE, SIPOA must obtain authorization from the property owner before any construction activities can be authorized.  Given this, the Captain Sams Spit settlement agreement and pending ownership transfer is preventing SIPOA’s permit application from being reviewed by SCDES and USACE.  According to SCDES, these permit applications must be processed within certain defined regulatory timelines. 

Because SIPOA’s permit application will likely exceed any applicable timeline as determined by SCDES, SCDES has requested that SIPOA agree to a pause in the current permitting review process.  Accordingly, SIPOA has agreed to withdraw its permit applications with SCDES and USACE to allow the Captain Sams Spit settlement agreement and future ownership of the subject property to be resolved. This administrative step is not expected to change the overall project timeline.

Similar issues were overcome during the previous inlet relocation permitting process.  SIPOA withdrew its permit applications prior to the 2015 inlet change to allow for construction access issues to be addressed with the property owner at the time. 

“SIPOA is committed to implementing the 4th inlet relocation project as part of Seabrook Island’s shoreline management program and will resubmit permit applications once the property ownership issues have been resolved.” 

-John Lassiter
SIPOA Board President

Boardwalk 1 Detour

On By SIPOAIn Boardwalks, Engineering

Update: Construction was delayed one week for this project. Beginning August 17th, the short section of boardwalk from the Oyster Catcher Community Center parking lot toward Rolling Dune and Boardwalk 1 will be closed.

The boardwalk is being replaced with a concrete sidewalk. There will be a detour walking path immediately to the left of the existing boardwalk that will have signs, stakes, and rope.

Construction will take 5 days or less and the sidewalk will be reopened on August 21st.

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our facilities in great condition.

Beginning on August 10th, the short section of boardwalk from the Oyster Catcher Community Center parking lot toward Rolling Dune and Boardwalk 1 will be closed. 

The boardwalk is being replaced with a concrete sidewalk. There will be a detour walking path immediately to the left of the existing boardwalk that will have signs, stakes, and rope. 

Construction will take 5 days or less and the sidewalk will be reopened on August 14th. 

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our facilities in great condition.

Get the Scoop – Beach Management

On By SIPOAIn Activities, Engineering, Get the Scoop, GOMC, SIPOA1 Comment

Steve Hirsch (SIPOA) and Patrick Barrineau (Coastal Science & Engineering) will present on the planned sand scraping project that will take place in October 2026. 

They will also provide an update on the status of the future Captain Sams Inlet Relocation project.

When: Monday, September 14, 2026

Where: New Location: Oyster Catcher Community Center

Zoom link

Time: 3:00pm

Click to View GTS Event List

Crab Dock Renovations Complete

On By SIPOAIn Crab Dock, EngineeringLeave a comment

The renovations to the crab dock, pile cap, and viewing platform are complete.

The viewing platform seating area was adjusted to allow for the stairs to be relocated to a more appropriate location. The new pile cap is a composite material that blends in well with the existing bulkhead. The crab dock handrails were also replaced and the walking path regraded.

Please stop by and enjoy the view when you get a chance!

Maintenance Project Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Maintenance

You may have noticed that SIPOA has installed new trash can enclosures at each of the beach access boardwalks and other locations on the island. The old enclosures were deteriorating and needed to be replaced.

The maintenance staff (pictured below from left to right: Gary Brown, Larry Swails, Duaine Collins, Jonathan Jones, and Jonathan Scrughan) began building them in the spring. Last month, they completed the replacement of 16 trash enclosures with an improved design to make accessing the cans easier.

The new enclosures look great, and we wanted to acknowledge the entire maintenance staff for their hard work to get this completed!

Boardwalk 3A Closure

On By SIPOAIn Boardwalks, Engineering

Beach access will be closed at Boardwalk 3A on Monday, June 22, 2026, from 7:00am – 4:00pm.

The beach access is immediately adjacent to stormwater pump station 3. The pumps, motors, and drives at this pump station are scheduled to be replaced during this time. A large crane will be needed to remove the old pumps and install new pumps.

Residents should plan to use another beach access on this date.

Thank you for your patience as we work to keep our infrastructure in great condition.