The proposed work consists of conducting up to two (2) renourishment events over a 5-year period, with a minimum of a 20-month interval between the first and second event. In detail, the proposed work would consist of the placement of up to 75,000 cubic yards (cy) of fill material, per event, along 3,600 linear feet (lf) of intertidal beach. The applicant has stated that the second event would only be completed if deemed necessary due to volume losses along the fill area, or encroachment of the channel on Pawleys Island. Proposed triggers for a second event would include: 1) the volume losses from previously authorized nourishment (SAC 2020-00503) reach 50% of the placed volume {200,000 cy), or evidence that sand from the nourishment may be impacting Pawleys Island.
The applicant proposes to source sand from accessible portions of the wet-sand beach of Midway Inlet, below the spring-high-tide line, south of Inlet Point, Litchfield Beach. Sand would be harvested by excavator and/or scraper pan to a depth of up to 4 ft below the existing grade. Work would be completed around the tide cycle, with equipment working +- 3 hours on either side of low tide. Excavations would occur in a manner that leaves undisturbed areas throughout the harvest site, to reduce impacts to benthic organisms in the harvest area. Sand haul paths would be established along upper intertidal beach. Deposited sand/fill would be shaped and graded utilizing heavy machinery (e.g. bulldozers and loaders). The applicant expects to be able to move ~30,000 cy per week working around low-tide cycles.
In addition, the applicant has proposed a corridor for a secondary channel to be excavated that would divert some flow from the main channel currently abutting Pawleys Island. The applicant states this will reduce erosion pressure on the northern jetty of Pawleys Island and create additional subtidal habitat for shorebird use. By construction of a new channel, the shoal complex between the two channels will be more isolated from pedestrian access, which may provide temporary benefits for shorebirds. The new pilot channel would be restricted to a width of 200 feet and depth of no more than -5 feet NAVD. Placement of the channel would depend on the conditions at the time of construction, and would seek to avoid features preferred by shorebirds, including isolated resting grounds and intertidal lagoonal features.
The applicant has proposed a construction window of August-October to avoid the red knot migratory season, piping plover wintering season, and the peak of the sea turtle nesting season.