We will be lined up hand-in-hand to show our support against anymore offshore drilling in the Atlantic.

Not sure if you have time? Checkout this short video – it’ll probably change your mind.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Leave the oil in Texas; South Carolina prefers clean beaches.

Wanna participate?

1. Just go to the beach at 11 AM for one hour, rain or shine.
2. Join hands for 15 minutes at 12:00 forming lines in the sand against oil drilling in our coastal waters.
3. That’s it!

It sounds like a small deal, but if enough people come out, hopefully big media’s helicopters will be flying around filming it all – just like they did back when the Hunley was raised (an incredible event btw!).

The Hands Across the Sand web page for SC has locations listed already, be sure to visit them and sign up today!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Do you oppose expanding offshore drilling in the Atlantic Ocean too?

“The BEACH Act authorizes the EPA to award grants to states, tribes and territories to implement beach water quality monitoring programs at coastal and Great Lakes recreational beaches,” said Shannon Berry, beach monitoring coordinator in DHEC’s Bureau of Water. “These grants also support programs to inform the public about the risk of exposure to disease-causing microorganisms in the waters at beaches. South Carolina is one of 35 states receiving the EPA grant.

“DHEC monitors the quality of water at the state’s beaches every year. When bacteria levels in the water are too high, the public is notified of beach advisories,” Berry said. “Signs, written in both English and Spanish, are placed on the beach until water quality returns to acceptable levels.”

“This study will help the EPA find faster analytical methods to test surf water samples,” Berry said. “These studies begin in early June and conclude after Labor Day. We advise beach-goers to look for the survey tents, especially on weekends.”

“Surfside Beach is hosting the EPA’s study of rapid beach water testing methods.”

Berry urges people to help enhance beach water quality by following these reminders:

• * Use sunscreen.
• * Remove all items brought to the beach with you.
• * If the beach allows pets, please clean up after them.
• * Do not swim in the ocean during, or immediately after heavy rain.
• * Do not swim or allow children to play in swashes or near stormwater pipes. These areas are more likely to have higher bacteria levels.
• * Avoid swimming in areas under advisory. Walking, wading, and collecting shells are safe unless you have open sores or lesions. Bacteria can get into open sores and cause infection.

For more information about beach monitoring and swimming advisories, visit DHEC’s Web site at: http://www.scdhec.gov/beach, or contact Shannon Berry at (803) 898-3541, or e-mail at: berrysk@dhec.sc.gov.

From the Shem Creek blog.

Ocean water quality monitoring begins May 15

Just south of Myrtle Beach is Evans Pelican Inn, an informal antebellum beach house. All nine of the simple rooms have ceiling fans and screened windows to make the most of the salty sea breeze (there is air-conditioning, too).

The Southern-style breakfast includes biscuits, grits, and crab salad. The inn fills up fast during the summer months, but spring is actually the most pleasant time to go, because average temperatures range between 68 and 83 and the humidity is low.

The best way to see this narrow barrier island, which is squeezed between a salt marsh and the Atlantic, is by bicycle. Rent one from Pawleys Island Beach Service (10570 Ocean Hwy.; 843/237-4666) and spend the day exploring. Travel + Leisure also suggests checking out weavers at the nearby Hammock Shop.

From the Shem Creek blog.

S.C. makes ‘Affordable Beach Resorts’ list

The Web site at www.SCBeaches.travel provides up-to-date travel information on three distinct areas – the Lowcountry and Resort Islands, Historic Charleston and Myrtle Beach & the Grand Strand – along with interactive games for kids, weather, maps and a photo album.

Using keyword research, SCPRT has organized the new site in a way to make it more accessible to the Internet search engines that millions of consumers use when looking for unique, fun and affordable beach trips. It also provides the state’s tourism partners on the coast with a clear portal for their consumer message.

SCBeaches.travel is the latest in a series of Web sites created and maintained by SCPRT. The others include the state’s official tourism site at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com, the Web site of the S.C. State Park Service at www.SouthCarolinaParks.com and specialized offerings such as www.SouthCarolinaGolf.com, www.SavorSouthCarolina.com and www.CarolinaGirls.travel.

The state tourism agency also maintains sites designed specifically for cellphones and other handheld devices. They are www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.mobi and www.SouthCarolinaParks.mobi. They contain key information about South Carolina attractions, events, lodging, shopping, dining, golf courses and state parks.

_{Now I know why my logs have been showing so many hits for “South Carolina beaches” lately.}

From the Shem Creek blog.

SCPRT launches new website devoted to SC coastline

If you are concerned about trash piling up on your local beach, consider joining DHEC’s ‘Adopt A Beach‘ program.

Here are some groups that have already joined in to help out:

To participate yourself, just call OCRM at (843) 953-0200. They will give you all the information you need to Adopt-A-Beach and keep our beaches clean!

From the Shem Creek blog.

Fight Beach Debris – Adopt A Beach

_{DNR scientist Josh Loefer took this photo of the dead great white shark on Morris Island along with his fellow DNR scientist, Jon Geddings.}

From the Shem Creek blog.

13′ Great White Shark On Shore

Heading south from New Jersey to Cherry Point, NC, the Nanami first became disabled off Cape Hatteras and was towed to port by two Coast Guard cutters.

Then, rough seas off SC broke it free of it’s anchor chain and it ran aground on Kiawah Island.

With 400 gallons of diesel fuel onboard, the Coast Guard is working hard to refloat it.

With luck like that, it may be time to call it a trip!

Updates
* Tuesday 11/18: Charleston Marine Services has successfully removed approximately 900 gallons of fuel, with approximately 250 gallons of fuel and oils remaining.

* Wednesday 11/19: $100,000 may not be enough for a full recovery – who’s gonna pay for it?

* Saturday 11/22: On the way down from N.J., the Coast Guard ordered the Namami to dock at Lewes, Del. and cleanup some environmental concerns they noticed. After crashing through a piling and leaving town, the Namani has refused to pay for the piling or the dock fees, a bad karma move obviously still haunting them.

* Wednesday 11/26: Coast Guard oversees successful removal of vessel on Kiawah Island.

_{Photos courtesy of USCG and The Post & Courier.}

From the Shem Creek blog.

Coast Guard rescues Nanami – TWICE!

The latest findings from the Natural Resources Defense Council are not a welcome sight for us here in SC. DHEC has even accused the NRDC of using incomplete data in their findings, especially poignant now that SC’s Tourism Dept. has been catching a lot of flack over their recent overseas ad campaign.

Charleston Beach Water Rankings

[src]

• 16 – South Carolina’s ranking
• 6% – Exceeded Percentage
• 2,991 – Total Samples
• 63 – All Reported Beaches
• 7 – Tier 1 Beaches
• 0 – % More Than Once/Wk
• Sometimes – Resample or Other info needed before action

Data Source: NRDC

From the Shem Creek blog.

Sullivan’s Island has most contaminated beach water in Chas. – SC 6th worst nationwide

AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES 2008

1. Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Florida
2. Hanalei Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
3. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
4. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
5. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
7. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
8. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks, North Carolina
9. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
10. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, South Carolina

AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES 2009

1. Hanalei Bay, Kauai, Hawaii
2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Florida
3. Coopers Beach, Southampton, New York
4. Coronado Beach, San Diego, California
5. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
6. Main Beach, East Hampton, New York
7. Cape Hatteras,Outer Banks, North Carolina
8. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Florida
9. Coast Guard Beach,Cape Cod, Massachusetts
10. Beachwalker Park,Kiawah Island, South Carolina

AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES 2010

1. Coopers Beach in Southampton, New York
2. Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida
3. Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
4. Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
5. Main Beach in East Hampton, New York
6. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
7. Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
8. Beachwalker Park in Kiawah Island, South Carolina
9. Hamoa Beach in Maui, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida

AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES 2011

1. Siesta Beach in Sarasota, Florida
2. Coronado Beach in San Diego, California
3. Kahanamoku Beach in Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
4. Main Beach in East Hampton, New York
5. Cape Hatteras in the Outer Banks of North Carolina
6. St. George Island State Park, Florida panhandle
7. Beachwalker Park Kiawah Island, South Carolina
8. Coast Guard Beach in Cape Cod, Massachusetts
9. Waimanalo Bay Beach Park on Oahu, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park in Key Biscayne, Florida

Photo courtesy of Google Maps

Map of Beachwalker Park

From the Shem Creek blog.

Kiawah Island’s Beachwalker Beach makes America’s Top 10 Best Beach list 2008 – 2011