Recognizing growing threats to the Nation's coastal and ocean resources, and a lack of coordinated planning and management across federal, state, and local jurisdictions, Congress passed the federal Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA) in 1972 to authorize and support state-level coastal zone management programs.

Minor development activities include the construction, maintenance, repair or alteration of any private pier or erosion control structure and construction which does not involve dredging (e.g. private docks, non-oceanfront erosion control structures, and additions to existing dock structures such as floating or fixed boat storage structures, floating docks and pierheads).

Major development activities include any construction activity that is not defined as minor activity (e.g. bridges, boat ramps, marinas, dredging, community docks, commercial facilities, etc.).

Due to the complex nature of these types of projects, a pre-application meeting with a Critical Area Project Manager is highly encouraged before submitting a critical area permit application.

General Permits were established to expedite the permit review process for permit applications that meet regulatory requirements, with minimal environmental impact. The general permit allows for individuals requesting an activity that meets all the regulatory requirements for such construction, without any additional considerations, an expedited review and thus a more rapid turn-around for construction. 

SCDES BCM Office Locations

South Carolina’s beaches are dynamic places; some beachfront shorelines accrete or gain sand while other shorelines erode. The coastline changes over time due to tides, waves, currents, tropical weather systems, as well as beach use and maintenance activities.