Board accepts $18,455 SCAC grant to cover terminal‑lot tree removals; airport to coordinate mitigation with town

The Beaufort County airport board voted to accept a SCAC grant for $18,455 to pay for terminal‑lot tree removal, a measure staff said will reimburse or cover recent safety‑driven removal work around approach paths.

The motion to accept the SCAC grant was moved, seconded and approved by voice vote with no oppositions recorded. The director told the board the airport fronted removal costs as a “good gesture” because the tree encroachment posed an immediate safety concern; staff said the properties involved are commercial, Beaufort County or Town of Hilton Head property and that no homeowners were affected.

Board members asked whether the town requires replacement plantings. The director said mitigation will be coordinated with town arborists: the airport will supply a final mitigation count to the Town of Hilton Head and then the town and airport will determine how mitigation proceeds.

Why it matters: trees penetrating approach surfaces can create hazards for instrument flight rules (IFR) operations and trigger NOTAMs restricting approaches. The board noted a NOTAM remained in effect on the south end while arborists assess whether certain large live oaks should be trimmed or removed.

What’s next: staff will report final mitigation numbers to the town and incorporate mitigation into follow‑up funding discussions. The board approved the grant during today’s meeting as the first formal step to cover the removal work.

Representative quote: Tom Reitz, Beaufort County Council member, thanked staff and praised community events and volunteer efforts that support airport operations during times of need.