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Historic site upkeep and plastic‑reduction efforts seek ATAX backing alongside sea‑turtle outreach
Summary
The committee heard requests ranging from design and permitting funds for Fort Howell to a Rotary proposal for a mobile refill station to cut single‑use plastic; Sea Turtle Patrol and the Land Trust highlighted visitor education and preservation benefits tied to tourism.
Two proposals at the Oct. 24 Accommodation Tax Advisory Committee meeting linked conservation, visitor education and heritage‑site activation to tourism support.
The Hilton Head Island Land Trust outlined plans for Fort Howell, a Civil War–era earthwork linked to the Freedmen’s village at Mitchelville. The trust said an optical beam counter and visitor log indicate a minimum of about 6,700 visitors in the last 12 months and requested funds to complete design and permitting for improvements (pathways, educational signage and an outdoor classroom). The representative noted that a restroom remains a longer‑term item and is not included in the current design request; the transcript did not record a specific dollar amount for the Fort Howell request.
Amber Kuhn, Sea Turtle Patrol director, described outreach that brings tourists to the beach for evening turtle talks and live education; she noted continuing engagement with national media and that the organization is preparing for the island renourishment work expected in 2025. “We have over 9,000 physical interactions and QR scans on our truck; our turtle talks draw over 200 people weekly in season,” Kuhn said, citing outreach metrics used to justify continued ATAX support for visitor education programming.
A Rotary‑led environmental cooperative proposed purchasing a 300‑gallon solar‑powered mobile refill station (a “quench buggy”) to reduce single‑use plastic at festivals and public events. The group reported having raised approximately $30,000 toward the unit and asked the committee for $40,000 in ATAX funds to complete the $70,000 purchase; members said the unit would be made available to community festivals at no charge and could carry sponsor signage.
Committee members expressed broad support for the objectives — heritage activation, conservation education and plastic‑reduction — but raised procedural questions about ATAX eligibility and reimbursement rules. Staff follow‑up was requested to confirm eligibility pathways before any award recommendation.
