The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) have received an application for Federal grant funding through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). Funding for this grant was made available after the 4346 Presidential Declaration was made regarding Hurricane Irma of October 2017. Funding for the proposed project will be conditional upon compliance with all applicable federal, tribal, state, and local laws, regulations, floodplain standards, permit requirements, and conditions.

Under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), federal actions must be reviewed and evaluated for feasible alternatives and for social, economic, historic, environmental, legal, and safety considerations. Under Executive Order (EO) 11988 and EO 11990 FEMA is required to consider alternatives to and to provide public notice of any proposed actions in or affecting floodplains and wetlands. EO 12898 also requires FEMA to provide the opportunity for public participation in the planning process and to consider potential impacts to minority or low-income populations.

Applicant

Town of Seabrook Island

Project Title

Seabrook Island Pump Station Emergency Generators

Project Description

The Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan (2016 Update and current 2016-2017 Draft) lists the retrofitting critical facilities or infrastructure to enhanced hazard resistance in accordance with the County of Charleston Facilities Master Plan Update “Building Utilization and Needs Survey” or other applicable plans as a top priority for Seabrook Island.

This project directly addresses this mitigation action by providing permanent auxiliary power to six (6) of the main Seabrook Island sewer pump stations (PS #3, PS #10, PS #11, PS #18, PS #20 and PS #22). Mobile emergency diesel generators were required in all of the most recent storm events to include Hurricanes Irma (2017) and Matthew (2016) where power has been lost due to wind and flooding.

Project Location

This project includes the addition of stand-by diesel emergency generators at the six (6) of the main pump stations for Seabrook Island. These stations serve the majority of the SIUC sewer service area and keeping these stations operational during major storm events is critical to public health and environmental protection. They are located across Seabrook Island and are shown on an attached overview map. The project to add generators to these six (6) pump stations will conform to all applicable federal, tribal, state and local laws, regulations and floodplain standards and permit requirements and conditions.

All of the stations are located within the AE flood zone and, therefore, a portion of the project must be located within the AE flood zone. Locating it to another site outside the AE flood zone would not meet the intended purpose of the project, which is to provide an emergency power source for six of the main SIUC pump stations. The design of the project will include an evaluation of the height of the generators, the generator pad and control panels to limit any possible flooding of the generators and panels themselves during future storm events. In addition, very limited land disturbance will be required and will be confined to a previously disturbed site; therefore, no impacts to the floodplain or any wetland areas are anticipated. Based on discussions with the Charleston County Floodplain Manager, the design of this project will conform to all applicable state and local floodplain protection standards. The Charleston County Floodplain Manager will review the final plans prior to construction and any required modifications will be made to ensure compliance with all applicable state and local floodplain protection standards. See attached location map.

Alternatives Considered

Alternatives to the stand-by diesel generators that were considered include: No action where no auxiliary power would be provided at these stations; and, the elimination of the pump stations and convey the wastewater using gravity sewer mains in lieu of force mains. SIUC would have to retrofit large portions of the wastewater collection system to install gravity sewer mains to convey the wastewater to one or two large regional pump stations or directly to the treatment plant. This alternative would include deep excavations and would likely require tunneling to cross wetlands and other water bodies. The one or two large regional pump stations would have to be upgraded to pump the larger volume of flow. Eliminating these pump stations would reduce, but not eliminate, the threat of power outages caused by hurricanes and other high wind weather events by decreasing the dependence on electric pumps in SIUC’s system. The No Action alternative was not considered to be feasible because it doesn’t meet the intent of the current Charleston Regional Hazard Mitigation Plan and would result in a high probability of sustained sewer system issues due to a power outage during storm events. The alternative to eliminate these six pump stations was not considered to be feasible due to cost (in excess of $3,000,000); environmental impacts; lack of suitable land; and, it would not eliminate the possibility of sewer system issues from power outages because some pumping would still be necessary.

Comment Period

Seabrook Island Utility Commission will be responsible for facilitating and monitoring the proposed project. Interested persons may direct any comments or questions to Tommy West, Manager at 843-768-0102 or twest@siuc.org. These are due within 15 days of this notice.

​Charleston County Mosquito Control recently inspected Seabrook Island and found adult mosquitoes present in high enough numbers to warrant an additional spraying.
 
The county has scheduled an additional spray truck for Seabrook Island. The treatment will take place overnight beginning after 11:00 PM on Wednesday, August 22nd, and will be completed prior to 7:00 AM on Thursday, August 23rd (weather permitting).
 
This will be the county’s third ground spraying operation in Seabrook Island since July 30th.
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For more information, please visit Charleston County Mosquito Control.

Work related to the Seabrook Island Road storm drainage improvement project is scheduled to begin during the week of August 20th. The first four weeks will require mobilization of equipment and materials by the town's contractor, Triad Engineering. There are nine additional major events on the schedule, including:

• Replacement of 18, 24, and 36 inch reinforced concrete (RCP) pipes
• Installation of Tideflex valves
• Installation of 18, 24, and 36 inch cured in place piping (CIPP)
• cleaning and inspections; and post video inspection

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The pipe replacement is scheduled to begin on September 4th. We are planning weekly updates to keep you informed of work progress and any changes in schedules.
Please be aware of large equipment and trucks turning into and exiting the parking lot at Town Hall. Look for signs, cones, and flagmen to guide you around working areas on Seabrook Island Road. The completion date for all phases of the project is scheduled for November 9, 2018.

Seabrook Island Road Drainage Improvement Project - Project Schedule

PUBLIC NOTICE

Charleston County Mosquito Control has scheduled a second spray truck for Seabrook Island.

The treatment will take place overnight beginning after 11:00 PM on Monday, August 13th, and will be completed prior to 7:00 AM on Tuesday, August 14th (weather permitting).
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For more information, please visit Charleston County Mosquito Control.

The Town of Seabrook Island wants to hear from YOU!

We're currently conducting a community survey as part of our 10-year comprehensive plan update. Survey responses will be collected until August 31st.

• Click here to take the online survey

About the Comprehensive Plan Update

The town recently kicked off an update to its Comprehensive Plan, a process which is required by state law to be completed every 10 years. A Comprehensive Plan serves as a type of “strategic plan” for the community. The plan will include a total of nine topics or “elements” including: land use, transportation, housing, natural resources, cultural resources, economic development, population, and priority investment. The plan will include an inventory of existing conditions, as well as specific goals and implementation strategies for each element. The plan will serve as an overall vision for the community and will guide future policy decisions of Town Council.

As part of the planning process, the town is inviting residents to participate in a community survey between August 8-31. The town’s comprehensive plan survey is separate and distinct front other surveys you may have received, including those from the Club or SIPOA. Those surveys are used for Club and SIPOA purposes and are not a part of the town’s efforts to review and update our Comprehensive Plan.

The draft version of the Comprehensive Plan is expected to be completed by the end of this year. Prior to adoption, the town will also host a community drop-in meeting and public hearing, both of which will take place in early 2019.

The Town of Seabrook Island values your feedback, and we hope you will take the time to participate in this important process.

On Tuesday, August 7, 2018, at 3:00 PM, the Town of Seabrook Island will host representatives from the real estate development firm, Big Rock Partners, which is proposing to build a 200-room senior living facility adjacent to the Freshfields Village shopping center.  Representatives from Big Rock will provide details on their proposed project, and will answer questions from Seabrook Island residents.  All interested residents are encouraged to attend.
 
A quorum of Town Council and the Planning Commission may be present; however, no official town business will be conducted.
 
This meeting will take place behind the Seabrook Island Property Owners Association security gate. Any individual wishing to attend the meeting who does not have access behind the security gate should contact (843) 768-5321 for assistance prior to the meeting.

Charleston County Government will host a community expo to educate citizens about natural hazards, new flood maps, the importance of flood insurance, and what to do before during and after a disaster.

Expo Details:
Friday, August 10 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Saturday, August 11 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Charleston Area Convention Center
5000 Coliseum Drive, North Charleston, S.C. 29418
Free Admission, Free Parking

Citizens will be able to talk with employees from Emergency Management, 9-1-1 Consolidated Dispatch, Charleston County Building Inspection Services, National Weather Service and flood insurance experts about natural hazards in the Lowcountry. There will also be various training classes, presentations, and a kid’s zone.

Citizens are encouraged to bring their elevation certificate to the expo and representatives from Charleston County Building Services will assist in looking up property with the new flood maps.