Inside Sea Grant
287 Meeting Street, Charleston, SC 29401
Highlights:
Agency milestones 2006-2010 Strategic Plan on Web ~ 2004-2006 Biennial Report Published Humans and the coastal landscape ~' New Web Portal for Coastal Officials IH.; Web site Navigates Development Laws ..·.· ,• Tidal Creek Habitats Booklet Published ! RIP CURRENTS Humans and the risks of Break the Grip of the Ripl coastal natural hazards Ji Hurri-Quake® Nail Wins 11 Popular Science Award Rip Currents Awareness Program Gears Up Coastal-dependent economy Shrimpers Going Green S.C. Shrimp Advertising Campaign Kicks Off Scientific literacy and workforce development Five S.C. Students Selected for Knauss Fellowships New Technology Helps Teach Science Awards and staff news SmGfut S.C.Sea Grant Consortium Science Serving Inside Sea Grant South Carolina’s Coast
Volume 10 Number 1 Summer 2008 S.C. Sea Grant Consortium Program Impacts
Contents Agency milestones Agency milestones 2006-2010 Strategic Plan on Web ...... 1 2004-2006 Biennial Report Published . . . . . 1 2006-2010 Strategic Plan include the ecological and economic Humans and the coastal landscape Available on Web value of coastal and ocean ecosystems, effects of coastal growth New Web Portal for Coastal Officials ...... 2 and land-use change, natural hazards, The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium has sustainable economic development, S.C. Researchers Help Improve identified a plan of action for the conservation of natural and cultural GA Stormwater Policies ...... 2 current four years to address critical resources, and scientific literacy, Web site Navigates Development Laws . . . . 2 coastal and marine resource issues stewardship, and a scientifically facing South Carolina. These goals trained workforce. The survey results Beaufort County Storm Drains Marked . . . . 3 and objectives serve as a guide for and the strategic plan are available at the activities that the S.C. Sea Grant Nonpoint Source Pollution www.scseagrant.org/Content/?cid=250. Brochure Available ...... 3 Consortium undertakes.
SCETV “Tide of Change” Consortium leadership and staff 2004-2006 S.C. Sea Grant Documentary Broadcast ...... 3 studied strategic-planning efforts of Biennial Report Published Tidal Creek Habitats Booklet Published . . . 3 other Sea Grant programs and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric A report covering two years of S.C.Coastal Impoundments Report Available . . 3 Administration (NOAA) to determine Consortium-sponsored research, how best to restructure and receive Humans and the risks of outreach, education, and input for writing the new plan. The coastal natural hazards communications projects is available. Consortium used an online survey to Hurri-Quake® Nail Wins request input from stakeholders on the Popular Science Award ...... 4 strategic goals and objectives, as well as on the most pressing issues facing Climate Display Educates State Park Visitors ...... 4 South Carolina. In addition, the survey offered respondents opportunities to Rip Currents Awareness Program provide the Consortium with additional Gears Up ...... 4 priorities and where information was Weather Channel “Crumbling Coasts” lacking for a given topic. Featured S.C. Scientists ...... 4 The Consortium also engaged its Program Coastal-dependent economy Advisory Board (PAB) for input on the Shrimpers Going Green ...... 5 priorities of the agency. The PAB is composed of 30 members representing a The report describes efforts in the S.C. Shrimp Advertising Campaign variety of stakeholders, including state areas of coastal ocean processes, Kicks Off ...... 5 and federal agencies, business and natural hazards, ecosystem MarketMaker Web Portal for industry, community leaders, and the dynamics, coastal growth and S.C. Shrimp Industry ...... 5 external scientific community. ecosystem effects, coastal communities and economies, marine Scientific literacy and workforce development As a result of the planning process, aquaculture and fisheries, and Five S.C. Students Selected for four programmatic areas have been education and public awareness. Knauss Fellowships ...... 6 identified by the Consortium: (1) Humans and the Coastal Landscape, To order a hard copy, visit New Technology Helps Teach Science . . . . . 6 (2) Humans and the Risks of Coastal www.scseagrant.org/Content/?cid=155 S.C. Ocean Awareness Days ...... 6 Natural Hazards, (3) Coastal-dependent or call (843) 953-2078. A PDF can be Economy, and (4) Scientific Literacy and downloaded from the Consortium’s Awards and staff news ...... 7 Workforce Development. Priority areas Web site.
1 I , Inside Sea Grant Humans and the coastal landscape
Inside Sea Grant is published two times New Web Portal for met in Charleston, S.C. to discuss the a year to inform interested constituents Coastal Officials Launched impacts of coastal development on about goals, activities, and accomplish- aquatic resources. A Coastal ments of the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Stormwater Supplement for the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is a university- The S.C. Coastal Information Network Georgia Stormwater Management based state agency that enhances launched a new Web portal, Manual is currently being developed by the practical use and conservation of www.sccoastalinfo.org. The user-friendly the Center for Watershed Protection. South Carolina’s coastal and marine Web site is a one-stop information Drawing upon research performed in resources to foster a sustainable economy and environment. resource for workshops, presentations, South Carolina, the Georgia contingent and specialized training opportunities is improving the manual, which will be Editor available to coastal decision-makers, used as justification for more stringent Susan Ferris Hill community planners, and local officials. laws during the 2008 Georgia legisla- tive session, requiring municipalities Contributing Writer The calendar-based portal allows users to John H. Tibbetts search for events by date, topic, location, to adhere to guidance in the manual. and target audience. The Web site also Executive Director lists community events in coastal South Presentations and group discussions M. Richard DeVoe Carolina and has downloadable focused attention on several NOAA- Direct correspondence to: resources, such as manuals, guidebooks sponsored projects administered by Inside Sea Grant Editor and technical reports, which can be the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium, S.C. Sea Grant Consortium searched by keyword or category. including the Land Use – Coastal 287 Meeting Street Categories of topics include beach Ecosystem Study (LU-CES) and Low Charleston, SC 29401 management, resource conservation, Impact Development (LID) research Phone: (843) 953-2078 Fax: (843) 953-2080 climate change, and coastal development. currently underway in an infill Web: www.scseagrant.org development in North Charleston, S.C. The S.C. Coastal Information Network was The LU-CES project was undertaken to © 2008 S.C. Sea Grant Consortium initiated in 2006 by the S.C. Sea Grant improve the knowledge base about A publication sponsored by the Consortium to enhance coordination of population and socioeconomic trends S.C. Sea Grant Consortium pursuant to coastal community public outreach efforts that characterize coastal ecosystems in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA06OAR4170015. in South Carolina. Network partners include the Southeast, and how these trends outreach personnel from the S.C. Sea Grant affect coastal ecosystems. The LID Consortium, S.C. Department of Health and research focuses on the efficiency and Environmental Control (SCDHEC) – SCDHEC effectiveness of innovative stormwater Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource management practices for coastal SeaGiint Management and SCDHEC Bureau of Water, residential development projects. S.C. SeaGrant Consortium S.C. Department of Natural Resources – ACE Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve Regulatory Pathfinder The Consortium’s Board of Directors and North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Navigates Coastal is composed of the chief executive Estuarine Research Reserve, Clemson officers of its member institutions. University Cooperative Extension Service, Development Laws Dr. Andrew A. Sorensen, Board Chair Berkeley-Charleston-Dorchester Council of University of South Carolina Governments, Waccamaw Regional Council Kim Diana Connolly, professor at the James F. Barker of Governments, Urban Land Institute of University of South Carolina School of Clemson University South Carolina, S.C. Department of Archives Law, and two graduate students recently and History, and the National Oceanic and developed a comprehensive Web site, Dr. David A. DeCenzo Coastal Carolina University Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) – now in beta form, to assist individuals, NOAA Coastal Services Center and business owners, and municipal officials Dr. P. George Benson NOAA Hollings Marine Laboratory. sort through the many state and federal College of Charleston Contact April Turner, coastal community laws that govern coastal development. Dr. Raymond S. Greenberg specialist, at (843) 953-2078 or Divided into sections by audience, the Medical University of South Carolina [email protected] to become Web site provides brief descriptions of John E. Frampton a partner or for more information about laws with links to the governing agency, S.C. Department of Natural Resources the portal. project-specific links for construction Dr. David E. Cooper projects such as building a dock, S.C. State University definitions of relevant terms, links to permitting resources, and contact Lt. General John W. Rosa S.C. Sea Grant Researchers The Citadel Help Improve GA information for state and federal regulators. The Regulatory Pathfinder Stormwater Policies was created with support from the Inside Sea Grant is printed on recycled paper using soy-based ink. S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. Coastal resource managers and scientists To learn more, visit www.law.sc.edu/ from Georgia and South Carolina recently pathfinder/coastal_development.
2 Awards and staff news
Coastal Heritage, a quarterly aquaculture specialist, who is a Elaine Knight, assistant director, has publication of the S.C. Sea Grant founding member of the task force been selected by the S.C. Budget and Consortium, recently won two and lead specialist for the South Control Board to serve a second term prestigious awards from the Society Carolina eradication program, which on the State Employee Grievance for Technical Communication (STC) began in late 2006. Committee. Her appointment is for for 2007-2008: A Distinguished award three years, beginning in July 2008. from the Carolina Chapter and a Rick DeVoe, executive director, was Distinguished award in the elected to serve on The Coastal Denise Sanger, assistant director for International competition. According Society Board of Directors for a research and planning, was elected to the STC judges, “The magazine is three-year term, which began in President-Elect of the Southeastern very effective, well-organized, and January 2008. The Coastal Society Estuarine Research Society (SEERS), visually works to address emerging coastal a two-year appointment starting in GS:,~r,\::. ,,,..•. ".' appealing. issues through partnership March 2008. She will become ~JHERITAGE ---""· -• ./, It applies the development and promotion of president of the society during -·-·· -:--· -- 4 . principles of communication and education. 2010-2012. As President-Elect, f'· .....--:-:...irn-n_ !!!a__.~~F technical com- DeVoe also was selected for the Sanger’s duties include presiding at munication in Urban Land Institute (ULI) Leadership all meetings of the Board of a superior way, Development Initiative. ULI seeks to Directors, acting as the chief particularly promote responsible land use and executive officer of the corporation, in how it sustainable communities worldwide. and appointing standing committee anticipates members. and fulfills In addition, as chair of the Sea Grant the needs of Association’s External Relations John Dwyer, assistant to the the audience.” The rigorous judging Committee, DeVoe was invited to director for program management, process was based on content and testify in April before two was appointed to the SEERS Board of organization, copy editing, visual subcommittees of the U.S. House of Directors, serving as a member-at- design, and creativity. Coastal Representatives. The first hearing large. Dwyer’s appointment is from Heritage was on display at the 2008 was before the Committee on 2008-2010. Technical Communications Summit Appropriations, Subcommittee on in Philadelphia, PA, in June. Commerce, Justice, and Science. Robert Bacon, extension program DeVoe was one of about 30 leader, was elected as a member of An educational insert in The Post and individuals to offer five minute oral the Clemson Extension Senate for Courier on marine debris, “Turning statements for the record, and he 2008. The Extension Senate the Tide on Trash,” recently won 1st spoke about the funding needs of represents the faculty of place in the category Non-traditional NOAA and the National Sea Grant Cooperative Extension Service in its Special Section with an Emphasis on College Program. relationship with the university and Creativity of the Mid-Atlantic extension administration, and Newspaper Advertising Marketing The next day, he and a panel of recommends new policies or Executives annual competition. In fall witnesses testified before the changes in existing policies that 2007, the Center for Ocean Sciences Committee on Natural Resources, affect extension employees, their Education Excellence—Southeast, S.C. Subcommittee on Natural Resources, welfare, and other matters as Sea Grant Consortium, Post and Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans about necessary to promote the best Courier Foundation, and other H.R. 5618, the National Sea Grant interest of the University. agencies created a special section on College Program Amendments Act marine debris, which was distributed of 2008, which is the Sea Grant Lundie Spence, director of the to over 200,000 newspaper reauthorization bill. DeVoe discussed Center for Ocean Sciences Education subscribers and teachers the rationale for providing Excellence-Southeast (COSEE-SE), has participating in the Newspapers in authorization levels above and been elected chair-elect for the Education program. beyond what is in the current statute, National COSEE Council. The Council and provided an example of Sea is the governing body that provides The Carolinas Beach Vitex Task Grant’s innovativeness: the Hurri- coordination among the 12 COSEE Force won the 2007 Community Quake® nail. centers located throughout the U.S. Spirit Award from the National Fish Spence, who will serve as chair for and Wildlife Foundation. Betsy In May, DeVoe was called back to 2009-2010, will work with the COSEE Brabson, coordinator for South testify before the U.S. House of Council, Network, National Advisory Carolina, accepted the award on Representatives Committee on Committee, National Science behalf of the task force during Science and Technology, Foundation, and Central National Weed Awareness Week at a Subcommittee on Energy and Coordinating Office to arrange reception in Washington, D.C. Environment in support of H.R. 5618, meetings, facilitate progress, and Brabson works closely with Jack from the perspective of the S.C. Sea communicate information about Whetstone, Sea Grant marine Grant Consortium. COSEE activities.
7 Humans and the risks of coastal natural hazards
Hurri-Quake® Nail Wins between weather and climate. The As a result of the workshop, a core group “Innovation of the Year” impacts of climatic change are identified developed a rip currents outreach strategy in the second poster, with an emphasis on to include “Break the Grip of the Rip®” signs, Award from Popular Science possible impacts that may occur in the magnets, brochures, public service Myrtle Beach region, such as sea-level rise, announcements (PSAs), and presentations to With S.C. Sea Grant support, Ed Sutt, a saltwater intrusion, and more intense various beach user groups. The PSAs aired former graduate student at Clemson tropical storms. The third poster shows over 500 times on WPDE Ch. 15, which University’s Wind Load Test Facility, the records of both temperature and broadcasts in both Horry and Georgetown examined better ways to secure residential precipitation for Georgetown and Conway counties, have run on the local government home structures under threat from from 1895 to the present, prompting channel for Horry County, and were hurricanes and earthquakes. He viewers to describe the trends for these distributed to two state parks, the Grand two stations and determine if it’s getting Strand Visitors Centers, and local hotels. warmer or colder and wetter or drier in This summer, in cooperation with local the Myrtle Beach area. municipalities, McCoy will be placing 100 rip current signs at beach access points According to Ann Malys Wilson, from North Myrtle Beach to Folly Beach to interpretive ranger at the park, nearly educate beachgoers on how to escape if 25,500 people each year will learn more they are caught in a rip current. about climate through the display. She also plans to incorporate information from the National partners for the rip current display into a public program, “Planet awareness campaign are NOAA National Jeopardy,” as well as a school program, Weather Service, NOAA National Sea Grant “Coastal Dynamics,” for fifth graders. The College Program, National Park Service, posters will be used in a number of new and United States Lifesaving Association. programs at the park throughout the year. For more information about efforts in South Carolina, contact Clay McCoy, coastal Rip Currents Awareness processes specialist, at (843) 349-4012 discovered that house failures often start or [email protected]. Visit with a broken window and then high Program Gears Up in S.C. www.ripcurrents.noaa.gov for safety tips, winds inflate the house, causing the roof forecasts for several cities including to lift from its frame. A rip currents awareness program in Charleston, S.C., a Q&A section, and the Georgetown and Horry counties was science behind why rip currents occur. Sutt, who is now employed by Stanley initiated in 2007 and continues into 2008. Works, invented a nail made of carbon- Rip currents are fast-moving currents that steel alloy that has a wider head than flow away from the shore, often catching The Weather Channel other nails, a twist below the nail head to beachgoers by surprise. “Crumbling Coasts” Series fill the space created by rings, and deep Featured Coastal Erosion rings that hold the shaft firmly in the Study Scientists frame. The new nail was subjected to RIP CURRENTS hurricane-force winds during testing and Break the Grip of the Rip!. held at 20,000 pounds. In comparison, at The Weather Channel series, “Crumbling 9,000 pounds regular nails begin to pull Coasts,” aired in November 2007 and out of the framework. Sutt’s invention, featured interviews with Rick DeVoe and known as the Hurri-Quake® nail, won the several scientists who were part of the five- 2006 “Innovation of the Year” Award from year Coastal Erosion Study sponsored by the the national magazine, Popular Science. U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium. The series covered the impacts of erosion from the Outer Banks Rip c:urr.,.t ■ ••• ~ c:urranh of waler mo¥lftl ■way from ■ hoN. Climate Display at State Park Th■ri:.,,.-.,-- ■---■tawlmme,...,110-. to Florida, and highlighted two erosion Educates Visitors hotspots in South Carolina, DeBordieu and The South Carolina effort was kicked off Isle of Palms. The Weather Channel The S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program with a Rip Currents Awareness Workshop producers selected the Coastal Erosion created a new display for the Myrtle Beach at Coastal Carolina University that was Study participants because of their scientific State Park Nature Center that highlights attended by over 50 people, representing expertise in coastal processes, shoreline three aspects about the earth’s climate organizations involved with public safety, change, and information transfer to coastal system. The first poster presents the fire departments, lifeguards, the Coast decision makers. Scientists interviewed different parts of the climate system and Guard, power squadrons, and the National included Paul Gayes, director of CCU’s mechanisms behind climate change, in Weather Service. The workshop focused on Center for Marine and Wetland Studies, time scales from years to decades and the driving forces of rip currents, Chris Mack, coastal engineer formerly with from thousands to millions of years. The forecasting, awareness, and effective the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and John poster also points out the difference methods to reach target audiences. Warner, civil engineer for USGS.
4 Coastal-dependent economy
Shrimpers Going Green Winds of Fortune, and local seafood encourage consumers and restaurants distributors, including Cherry Point to buy locally grown and produced Seafood and East Coast Seafood on food. The bill-boards will be located in The S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program Wadmalaw Island, provide the biodiesel the Beaufort/Hilton Head, Charleston, recently hosted a workshop, “Biodiesel— for refueling boats. and Grand Strand regions from May Going Green,” in conjunction with Wild through August. To find out where American Shrimp, Inc. and Southeast Bio- For more information, contact Amber Von to purchase local shrimp, visit diesel at the Maritime Center in Harten, fisheries specialist, at (843) 470- www.scshrimpmkt.com. Contact Amber Charleston. 3655 ext. 112 or [email protected]. Von Harten at (843) 470-3655 ext. 112 or [email protected] for more details about the campaign.
MarketMaker Web Portal to be Launched, S.C. Shrimp Industry On Board
MarketMaker, an interactive web- based tool and mapping system developed by the University of Illinois, will contain information about the S.C. shrimp industry in the summer of 2008. The Web portal identifies businesses and markets of agricultural products Wayne Magwood pulls up to the dock in his Advertising Campaign for in participating states, providing an shrimp boat, Winds of Fortune, which is fueled important link between producers and by biodiesel. Photo: Susan Ferris Hill S.C. Shrimp Kicks Off in consumers. The portal is being Summer 2008 ruw//n./4.rtry Over 30 shrimpers from South Carolina, The S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program MARKET t MAKER '" I inking Agricultural Markets North Carolina, and Georgia learned about assisted with planning an outdoor --MARIJ;TMAl(A this newly available alternative fuel, advertising campaign to promote local BUY ~A~~ currently made from poultry fat, that is South Carolina shrimp. The ads were biodegradable, non-flammable, non- developed in partnership with the S.C. carcinogenic, and produces cleaner Shrimpers Association, Wild American emissions, providing numerous benefits Shrimp, Inc., and the S.C. Department of • to human health and air and water quality. Agriculture (SCDA). The billboards will Using biodiesel also extends the life of an promote the freshness and flavor of local engine because the fuel is burned more shrimp, and will coordinate with the completely and cleanly, which reduces the SCDA’s current “Certified S.C. Grown” and amount of residue in the fuel line system “Fresh on the Menu” campaigns, which and leads to fewer repairs. Using biodiesel expanded with the help of the could help shrimpers become more National Oceanic and Atmospheric competitive in an industry that is Administration, S.C. Sea Grant dominated by imports. Extension Program, and Clemson University to feature a searchable During the workshop, specialists from database connecting consumers that Southeast Biodiesel described the Why choose to eat South Carolina seek local South Carolina products """'""-""""' ocean caught shrimp? ,_ 8.ESTCHOICE· differences between diesel and biodiesel, """""' Th1$1>l.Chcan:-,a~•"~-rou111&"""""""''"'-a10 flaw,a with suppliers. A training session for ...... ~-be-lOQt1_,.ollh&t>ff 191'1rimpinll'III""""'· Sa
5 Scientific literacy and workforce development
Five South Carolina Students planning team for the new NOAA ship, state and national science standards, as Selected for Knauss Okeanos Explorer, which is the first ship well as how ROVs are being used for dedicated to the systematic exploration of research, monitoring, and exploration. Fellowships oceans. She is also planning for and managing field operations for the 2008 Educators are using their ROVs to teach Five South Carolina graduate students are season, and is the data manager for marine science, chemistry, physics, and serving as Dean John A. Knauss Marine expeditions and coordinator of the Web site engineering concepts in the classroom. Policy Fellows for 2008. This number of www.oceanexplorer.noaa.gov. Margaret Spigner, a science teacher at Knauss fellows is a record for South West Ashley High School, mounted an Carolina colleges and universities since the To further the education of tomorrow’s underwater camera onto the ROV so that fellowship program began in 1979. ocean policy leaders, the NOAA National students could learn about the Sea Grant College Program sponsors the effectiveness of turtle excluder devices on Courtney Arthur is completing a M.S. John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowship crab pots. Sarah Piwinski, education degree in marine biology at the College of Program, bringing a select group of director for the tall ship, Spirit of South Charleston (CofC) and is working in the graduate students to the nation’s capital Carolina, will use the ROV she built on NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) Office where they work in the federal expedition cruises this summer. And of Response and Restoration as a research government’s legislative and executive three middle- and high-school teams analyst for the Marine Debris Program. In branches. The students learn about federal entered their ROVs in the Southeast this capacity, Arthur is coordinating a policy regarding marine and Great Lakes Regional ROV MATE Competition research workshop slated for September, natural resources and lend their scientific organized by NOAA Gray’s Reef National participating as a member of a grants expertise to federal agencies and Marine Sanctuary and the Marine review panel, organizing marine debris congressional staff offices. For more Advanced Technology Education Center; literature, and developing a database for information about the Knauss Marine one of the teams won second place. derelict fishing gear. Policy Fellowship program, visit MIT Sea Grant originally developed the www.scseagrant.org/Content/?cid=56. ROV design and instructions. For more Jessica Berrio earned a M.S. in information about this and other environmental studies at CofC. Berrio is Sea Grant education programs, contact serving as a fellow in the NOAA NOS Office ROVs Used as Tool to Teach Elizabeth Vernon at (843) 953-2078 or of Ocean and Coastal Resource Science and Engineering [email protected]. Management National Policy and Evaluation Division. She is developing a report, “A In March, Elizabeth Vernon, marine S.C. Teachers and Students Strategy for Providing Guidance on Climate educator for the S.C. Sea Grant Change Adaptation,” as well as a climate Consortium and the Center for Ocean Learn about Ocean Science change Web portal for the Pacific Islands. Sciences Education Excellence— Southeast (COSEE-SE), coordinated a South Carolina Ocean Awareness Days Luis Frazáo da Silva Leandro is completing workshop on how to build a remotely were recently conducted at the South a M.S. in marine biology from CofC and he operated vehicle, or ROV. Gray’s Reef Carolina State Museum (Columbia, S.C.), is working in the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuary staff provided Coastal Carolina University (Conway, S.C.), Legislative Affairs. Leandro is preparing instruction to over 20 formal and South Carolina Aquarium (Charleston, S.C.), NOAA staff for hearings and briefings on informal educators from North Carolina, and the Coastal Discovery Museum ocean and coastal legislation and serves as South Carolina, and Georgia. Participants (Hilton Head, S.C.), bringing ocean a conduit of information between the science concepts to over 50 educators. agency and the U.S. Congress. The Ocean Awareness Days were coordinated with formal and informal Amanda McCarty is completing a M.S. in education institutions by a teacher who marine biology at CofC. She is serving her had previously participated in a COSEE-SE fellowship working for the Senate Leadership Institute. This education Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on program, available to teachers and Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast informal educators in North Carolina, Guard. McCarty is planning hearings, South Carolina, and Georgia, is designed drafting and modifying legislation, and to encourage partnerships and foster providing Senators with information about opportunities for coordinating teachers ocean, coastal, and climate issues and Workshop participants learn how to build their own remotely operated vehicle (ROV). to relay ocean science information to legislation. Photo: Susan Ferris Hill other teachers in their state. Over 20 informal education centers in the Emily McDonald earned a M.S. in built their own ROV from PVC pipe and tri-state region have hosted Ocean environmental health sciences at the other materials and tested their design Awareness Days since 2003. For more University of South Carolina. McDonald is by “flying” it in a pool. They also learned information, contact Margaret Olsen, working in the NOAA Office of Ocean how ROV technology can be incorporated University of Georgia education specialist, Exploration and Research as part of the into a high school curriculum and tied to at (912) 230-1149 or [email protected].
6 Beaufort County stormwater best management practices Tidal Creek Habitats Storm Drains Marked research project. The research is focused in Booklet Published Oak Terrace Preserve, a sustainable residential development in North Charleston Thanks to a S.C. Coastal Community being constructed by the Noisette Company. Tidal Creek Habitats: Sentinels of Coastal Initiative grant from the S.C. Sea Grant Health explores tidal creek ecosystems Consortium, more than 1,000 storm drains The brochure defines nonpoint source and the various threats to the valuable in Beaufort County now have markers. The pollution (NPS), describes ways that ecological services they provide. The markers instruct residents and visitors not communities can minimize NPS, and gives booklet, based in large part on over 15 years to dump waste materials into the drains so specific tips for individuals and that impacts to coastal homeowners about what they can do to waters and ecosystems reduce the amount of pollutants released are minimized. into the environment. The brochure is part of a Stormwater Series that will be delivered This project is an to new homeowners in Oak element of Beaufort Terrace Preserve, County’s campaign for distributed during open pollution source control and house events, and given to stormwater management. Beaufort County citizens who live nearby. Public Works partnered with volunteers Future installments of the of research by scientists Fred Holland, from the Friends of the Rivers to identify series will include director of the NOAA Hollings Marine and mark the storm drains. The location of brochures on bioswales, Laboratory, and Denise Sanger, assistant each storm drain is also being documented rain gardens, pervious director for research and planning at the with a Global Positioning System to update pavements, native plants, Consortium, includes recommendations the county’s infrastructure mapping. The and other techniques to for protecting these habitats, provides infrastructure can then be inspected for lessen human impacts on additional resources for more information, potential illicit discharge investigation, coastal resources. To receive and contains a helpful glossary of terms. repair, and maintenance. This project the NPS brochure, call the Consortium at Tidal Creek Habitats was produced with enhances public awareness about nonpoint (843) 953-2078 or order online at support from the NOAA Hollings Marine source pollution and the need to protect the www.scseagrant.org/Content/?cid=42. Laboratory and the S.C. Sea Grant County’s invaluable local natural resources. Consortium as part of the NOAA Oceans SCETV Airs Program and Human Health Initiative. To order, The S.C. Coastal Community Initiative is a call (843) 953-2078 or visit the Products competitive small grants program that Focused on Coastal Growth section of the Consortium’s Web site at provides incentives for local governments and Ecosystem Effects www.scseagrant.org/content/?cid=156. to develop and implement “quality growth” land-management policies and practices. “Tide of Change,” a one-hour documentary S.C. Coastal Impoundments To date, seven coastal communities have produced by Clemson University, was Report Available received these grants, which range from broadcast on March 27 on South Carolina $2500 to $5000, to address a variety of Educational Television (SCETV), a PBS affiliate. A State of Knowledge report, South Carolina issues related to open space preservation, The documentary featured interviews with Coastal Wetland Impoundments, written by natural resource-based planning, water research, regulatory, infrastructure, political, Daniel Tufford at the University of South quality management, alternative transporta- and environmental leaders from around the Carolina, includes a research summary from tion, sustainable community planning and state who commented about the rapid the mid-1980s to present, prior research and design, and zoning ordinances and population growth on the coast and its policy recommendations, regulations. Participating communities have effects on the environment, human health, a summary of active leveraged more than $60,000 since the the ability to respond to natural disasters, research and new grant program began in 2003. For more and quality-of-life. Interviewees included Rick recommendations, and details about the Coastal Community DeVoe, executive director of the Consortium, a comprehensive cited Initiative program, contact April Turner, Margaret Davidson, director of the NOAA reference list. coastal community specialist, at (843) 953- Coastal Services Center, Fred Holland, Impoundments in 2078 or [email protected]. director of the Hollings Marine Laboratory coastal South Carolina (HML), Paul Sandifer, a senior scientist with and Georgia are Nonpoint Source Pollution HML, Robert Becker, director of Clemson’s described, along with Strom Thurmond Institute, Jeff Allen, the associated flora and fauna. Support for Brochure Available director of Clemson’s Water Resources this report was provided to the S.C. Sea Grant Center, Carolyn Boltin, deputy commis- Consortium through a grant from the The S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program sioner for SCDHEC-OCRM, and others. SCDHEC Office of Ocean and Coastal developed an informational brochure about SCETV reaches viewers throughout the Resource Management. To order the report nonpoint source pollution in cooperation state of South Carolina, as well as or download a PDF, visit www.scseagrant.org/ with scientists of a Sea Grant-sponsored parts of Georgia and North Carolina. Content/?cid=327 or call (843) 953-2078.
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