Category: Engineering

Spring on Seabrook Island: Living Safely with Alligators

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Environmental

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.

Alligator Program Policy
Wildlife Sightings Portal
Photo by Ralph Secoy

Leaf Collection 2026

On By SIPOAIn Engineering

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.

Old Forest Pipe Replacement Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, GOMC

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.

Trash Contractor Transition Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Trash & Recycling

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.

SIPOA 2026 Garbage Schedule

Trash & Recycling Services Contractor Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, Trash & Recycling

SIPOA will be using a new service provider this year for trash, recycling, and yard debris pickup.  Beginning on February 2, 2026, Sandlapper Waste will provide trash and recycling collection services on Seabrook Island.  The collection schedule will be mostly the same, with yard debris collection being moved to Wednesday and Villa and Regime recycle pickup on Tuesdays.  The annual collection schedule is attached for your reference. 

  • January 26th will be the last day for trash pickup with our current provider, and they will be taking the trash carts away on this date. 
  • Most carts will be removed on January 26th, but some may not be removed until January 27th.
  • Please make sure your trash cart is placed on the curb regardless of whether it has trash in it or not on January 26th.
  • New trash carts will be delivered during the week of January 27th. 
  • The recycle carts will remain and will not be changed. 
  • Regimes with trash corrals and/or backdoor service will have new trash carts delivered during the week of January 27th as well.
  • If your trash cart is not picked up by January 27th, please email trash@sipoa.org and provide the address and location of the trash cart. 
  • The trash carts are 90-gallon size, which is the same size as the current carts.  This is the only size trash cart that will be provided by SIPOA; however, residents are allowed to use their own cart if they prefer a different size. 
  • ARC and the Town will suspend enforcement of trash carts being left on the curb during the week of 1-26-26.  Please plan to have your new cart stored properly by 2-1-26. 
  • The procedure for reporting any missed collection or requesting a new roll cart is still the same and all requests should be emailed to trash@sipoa.org. 
SIPOA 2026 Garbage Schedule

Trash & Recycling Services Contractor Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering

SIPOA will be using a new service provider next year for trash, recycling, and yard debris pickup. Beginning February 1, 2026, Sandlapper Waste will provide trash and recycling collection services on Seabrook Island. The collection schedule will be mostly the same with yard debris collection being moved to Wednesday, and Villa and Regime recycle pickup on Tuesdays. The annual collection schedule can be found here for your reference.

Residents will receive a new trash roll cart during the week of January 27th. January 26 will be the last day for trash pickup with our current provider, and they will be taking the trash carts away on this date. The recycle carts will remain and will not be changed. New trash carts will be delivered during the week of January 27th. The procedure for reporting any missed collection or requesting a new roll cart is still the same, and all requests should be emailed to trash@sipoa.org.

Finger Lakes Stormwater Projects

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, GOMC

There will be two large stormwater projects taking place within the Finger Lakes drainage basin in early 2026. These projects were identified in the 2020 Island Wide Stormwater Master Plan. These projects will be the 9th and 10th projects completed that were identified for implementation from this master plan. The two projects are outlined below:

  • Finger Lakes Outfall Structure Replacement: The current outfall structure where water from the finger lakes discharges into the marsh is at the end of its design life and allows tidal flooding into the lake system during king tide events.  The structure and the discharge piping will be replaced with a new more resilient system that will prevent tidal flooding and provide automated control of the water level in the lake system.
  • Old Forest Culvert Replacement: Currently there is an 18” corrugated metal pipe that connects two of the Finger Lakes underneath Old Forest Dr.  This pipe is over 40 years old and is undersized.  It will be replaced with a new 4’ x 2’ box culvert that will provide additional flow capacity and a longer service life.

The work on Old Forest Lane requires the excavation and removal of pipe under the roadway. This will necessitate the closure of Old Forest Lane for a period of 8-10 weeks. Beginning on February 2, 2026, Old Forest Lane will be closed at the causeway. The anticipated reopening date is April 6, 2026. Some residents living on Old Forest Lane may have to detour from their normal route as shown in the figure below.

We will work to get this project completed as quickly as possible and restore the normal traffic pattern.

New Compost Location

On By SIPOAIn Compost, Engineering

Some renovations are underway at the recycle center this year. The compost bins have been relocated to the opposite side of the driveway, immediately adjacent to the Club laundry building. The new location is marked and will help reduce non-compost items being placed into the bins. We will also be adding lighting and additional cameras to help enforce illegal dumping at the recycling center.

Landscape Services Contractor Update

On By SIPOAIn Engineering

Next year, SIPOA will be working with a new landscape services provider. Beginning on January 1, 2026, Southern Legacy will begin landscaping services to maintain SIPOA properties.

SIPOA landscape services are currently 100% electric and Southern Legacy will continue using electric handheld equipment, mowers, and backpack blowers.

The staff at Southern Legacy have experience working on Seabrook Island, and we feel confident they will provide an excellent level of service to the island.

Oyster Catcher Marsh Outfall Excavation Project

On By SIPOAIn Engineering, GOMC

You may have noticed some white stakes in the marsh that can be seen from the bridge on Seabrook Island Road as you look toward Oyster Catcher. This is the alignment for the drainage channel that will be excavated in the marsh to promote positive drainage from the end of the stormwater pipe to the tidal channel. The alignment can be seen in the aerial image below. 

This channel existed when the stormwater piping was originally installed, but gradually filled in over time.  This is a maintenance project to ensure that stormwater on Oyster Catcher can drain effectively after a rain event.  It is scheduled to be completed in early 2026.