Kiawah Island updates: settlement next steps, beach renourishment permitting and bobcat pesticide testing

Mayor reported a recent public meeting on the negotiated settlement related to Captain Sam's and said the agreement among parties remains subject to statutory conditions and to state fiscal accountability authority review scheduled for March 31. The mayor said the town and partner organizations would publish regular updates.

Town biologist Jim Jordan briefed council on an East End beach renourishment permit the town applied for in March 2025. Jordan said the Fish and Wildlife Service completed a programmatic biological opinion last month and the town submitted a Tier 2 form last week. "We expect to have the state permit hopefully within 2 months, and then it would go to the Corps," Jim Jordan said, adding that the permit would typically be valid for five years and that current beach conditions do not require immediate implementation but could change with storm seasons.

Councilors also discussed rising concerns about second‑generation pesticides and impacts on bobcat mortality. Council member Kaye reported that town staff and the mayor met with pest control companies, that 16 of 31 licensed companies attended the meeting, and that volunteers and the town have begun testing pesticide stations: staff have checked 27 properties and taken 8 samples to date. Kaye urged more volunteer participation to expand testing and follow‑up with companies that did not attend the forum.

Other updates included progress on the community center planning and a longer‑term capital projects list, transit connectivity outreach coordinated with regional partners, and staff anniversaries. The town administrator asked residents to watch upcoming planning commission meetings and a May 29 disaster awareness event at Town Hall.

Next steps: staff will publish the settlement summary and continue outreach on the permit schedule; Jim Jordan and the conservation team will continue testing and report back when samples are analyzed.