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Residents urge restoring larger wetland buffers, ask council to defer ordinance
Summary
Multiple residents and an environmental commenter said the proposed wetlands ordinance (2026-07) narrows protections and recommended reinstating larger buffer setbacks (up to 100 feet), restoring prohibitions on certain activities, and deferring the item for significant revision.
At a combined public hearing, multiple residents urged the Awendaw town council to restore stronger wetland protections, increase buffer widths and defer adoption of ordinance 2026-07 for more thorough revision.
Speakers told the council that the draft ordinance departs from model wetlands protections and reduces buffer widths to 50 feet in some provisions. A website commenter and several residents recommended reinstating a 100-foot buffer, restoring language that prohibited certain activities rather than merely restricting them, and explicitly protecting designated refuges, sanctuaries or preserves.
One commenter criticized a change that removed explicit protection for wildlife refuges and national preserves, warning that omitting explicit language could make those areas less protected in future disputes. Multiple speakers asked the council to defer the ordinance and to bring back stricken language in several sections, including stronger monitoring, reporting and enforcement provisions with civil penalties.
No vote was taken; the council closed the public hearing and retained written submissions in the meeting packet for members' review as they consider next steps.
