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SCDES Publishes Proposed Phase I Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines Prior to Public Hearing, Welcomes Public Review and Input
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Oct. 17, 2025
CHARLESTON, S.C. — Today, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) published proposed updates to the State Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines for Phase I beaches as part of the agency’s 2024-2027 jurisdictional lines review cycle. These jurisdictional lines enable SCDES to implement laws and regulations that support the state's beachfront management goals, and protect vulnerable shorelines, properties, and natural ecosystems.
The proposed line updates provided today are for Phase I beaches, which include Daufuskie Island, Hilton Head Island, Bay Point Island, St. Phillips Island, Little Capers Island, Pritchards Island, Fripp Island, Hunting Island, and Harbor Island.
Updated jurisdictional lines for other beaches will be provided as outlined at des.sc.gov/beachlines.
South Carolina law requires SCDES, specifically the Bureau of Coastal Management (BCM), to establish and periodically review two jurisdictional lines every 7 to 10 years.
The baseline is the more seaward (toward the ocean) line.
The setback line is the more landward (towards the land) line. The setback line delineates the landward extent of the BCM's direct permitting authority for activities proposed within the Beach/Dune System Critical Area.
As part of the routine jurisdictional lines update process, the average annual erosion rate (also known as the “long-term erosion rate”) for all oceanfront land that’s developed or potentially could be developed also is reviewed. The proposed jurisdictional lines for Phase I beaches, updated average annual erosion rate, line reports, and data are now available on the SC Beachfront Jurisdictional Lines Viewer (. https://gis.des.sc.gov/shoreline/).
BCM will hold an open house and in-person public hearing on the proposed beachfront jurisdictional lines for Phase I beaches next week:
Jurisdictional Line Review for Phase I Beaches
Open House and Public Hearing
Thursday, Oct. 23
Port Royal Sound Foundation Maritime Center
310 Okatie Hwy, Okatie
Open house: 5-6 p.m. Presentation and public hearing: 6 p.m.
The 90-day public comment and information-sharing period for interested parties to provide input on the proposed lines for Phase 1 beaches begins today, Oct. 17, and continues through Jan. 15, 2026. Comments, data, and other related information are accepted. Please submit input during the Oct. 23 public hearing, at des.sc.gov/beachlines, or by postal mail sent to:
SCDES BCM
ATTN: Marian Page
1362 McMillan Ave., Suite 400
North Charleston, SC 29405
BCM staff are available to answer questions about South Carolina’s beachfront jurisdictional lines by calling (843) 953-0200. Learn more about the 2024-2027 Jurisdictional Lines Review Cycle at des.sc.gov/beachlines and view the proposed lines at https://gis.des.sc.gov/shoreline/.
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