“I have witnessed the county’s meaningful steps toward stronger environmental protections and responsible, sustainable growth. The bold and innovative natural resource element passed in December is but one example...County Council Chair Clint Elliott and Vice Chair Stella Mercado have publicly supported forward-thinking policies, including a revamped zoning ordinance and a wetlands ordinance.”

COASTAL OBSERVER
Feb. 27, 2025

To the editor:

Recent public rhetoric has been making sweeping claims about the County Council’s failure to prioritize the needs of Waccamaw Neck residents. While ongoing and thoughtful discussion is encouraged, such broad generalizations do not fully reflect the work that has been done and the progress being made.

The South Carolina Environmental Law Project has worked to protect natural resources in the state for nearly four decades. I have been a staff attorney at SCELP’s headquarters in Georgetown for about two years. In those past two years alone, I have witnessed the county’s meaningful steps toward stronger environmental protections and responsible, sustainable growth. The bold and innovative natural resources element passed in December is but one example.

The comprehensive plan includes numerous impactful initiatives such as cultural protection overlays, strengthened tree and wetlands preservation, and measures to guide sustainable development.

Additionally, County Council Chair Clint Elliott and Vice Chair Stella Mercado have publicly supported forward-thinking policies, including a revamped zoning ordinance and a wetlands ordinance. Council Member Bob Anderson has also voiced support for a wetlands ordinance. It’s worth noting that these are the officials that Waccamaw Neck residents elected.

While we agree that conflicts between the comprehensive plan and zoning ordinances have created serious problems, we believe the right approach going forward is to ensure that the new zoning ordinance/land development regulations are consistent with the new comp plan.

A common misconception is that increasing density is inherently bad. In reality, low and medium-density development does not automatically mean responsible growth. When left unchecked, it is exactly this kind of development that causes sprawl – a major contributor to habitat loss, traffic congestion, and increased impervious surfaces that worsen stormwater runoff.

The county’s natural resources element highlights the need to prevent rural sprawl. Thoughtful planning, which may include limited multi-family housing in appropriate areas, better stormwater management, and/or mixed-use neighborhoods that promote walkability, can reduce environmental impacts while also addressing the need for affordable housing.

A rigid “no density increases/no multifamily” approach will only lead to more of the same development patterns that have drastically changed the Waccamaw Neck since SCELP opened our office here in 1987.

We acknowledge that water quality, stormwater management and flooding remain serious challenges throughout the county, and there is much work to be done. But if we want to see real progress, we need to look for opportunities to collaborate rather than dismiss efforts already underway.

A great example of what can be achieved through collaboration is the success story of Drayton Harbor in Washington. After years of advocacy, investment and community engagement, once-polluted waters were restored to the point that shellfish harvesting could resume. This effort brought to gether local governments, environmental organizations, businesses and residents, who initially disagreed with each other, but ultimately found common ground in protecting their natural resources.

We hope for the same result here. Progress happens when decision makers, advocacy groups and residents engage in meaningful collaboration. Rather than relying on generalizations or drawing lines in the sand, let’s focus on solutions that balance environmental protection, responsible growth and the needs of our community.

Monica Whalen
Litchfield