chapter IV -------------- special management areas A. GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF PARTICULAR CONCERN 1. Introduction Statutory Requirements The Federal Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, while recognizing the entire coastal zone of each state as an important and vital resource, also declares that certain areas are of even more, special significance, and warrant particular attention to their preservation and development. The Act requires, in Section 305(B)(3), that each state inventory and designate the"Areas of Particular Concern" within its coastal zone as part of the state's program. Section 923.21 of the Coastal Zone Management Development and Approval Regulations (Federal Register, Vol. 44, No. 61, March 1979) defines the Federal requirements for Geographic Areas of Particular Concern (GAPCs). The subsection reads as follows: (a) Requirement. In order to meet the requirements of subsections 305(b) (3) & (5) of the Act, States must: (1) Designate geographic areas that are of particular concern, on a generic or site-specific basis or both; (2) Describe the nature of the concern and the basis on which designations are made; (3) Describe how the management program addresses and resolves the concerns for which areas are designated; and (4) Provide guidelines regarding priorities of uses in these areas, including guidelines on uses of lowest priority. The major emphasis in the GAPC segment of a coastal management program, from the Federal viewpoint, is on the adequacy of the State's authority to manage those areas or sites which have been identified. To a lesser extent, the reasons specific areas are significant as coastal resources and the criteria which establish this significance are also important for inclusion. The individual states may inventory and identify those areas which are significant given the coastal problems or issues which are characteristic of that particular state. Guidance for this designation process is provided in the coastal legislation passed in South Carolina in 1977. Section 8(B)(4). of the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act (Appendix B) mandates that this comprehensive program include the identification of special management areas. It reads as follows: In devising the management program the Council shall: (a) Inventory and designate areas of critical state concern within the coastal zone, such as port areas, significant natural and environmental, industrial and recreational areas. These "areas of critical state concern" parallel the geographic area of particular concern. requirements mandated by the Federal legislation. The designation process and the areas identified as GAPCs can be devised so as to be consistent with policies for preservation and development of South Carolina's coastal resources, as stated in the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act. Selected Approach In order to meet both the Federal and State requirements, this report identifies, maps, and describes the Geographic Areas of Particular Concern in the eight-county coastal zone. South Carolina has defined Geographic Areas of Particular Concern in its coastal zone in terms of four broad categories: - Areas of unique natural resource value, including those exhibiting scarce or vulnerable natural habitats and physical features; those offering substantial recreational value; and those of vital importance in protecting and maintaining coastal resources. - Areas where activities, development, or facilities depend on proximity to coastal waters, in terms of·use or access. - Areas of special historical, archeological or cultural significance. IV-l For each of these categories, standards or criteria are defined, priority of uses within the area are specified, and the specific geographic sites or areas within the coastal zone are identified. Detailed descriptions of each designated site are found in the Appendix F. In the earliest phases of coastal zone management in South Carolina, an extensive National Resources In­ ventory was completed. This inventory, the pertinent State and Federal regulations, and considerable assistance from the Heritage Trust Program were the intitial basis for designation of Geographic Areas of Par­ ticular Concern (GAPCs) within each of the four categories. When a first draft of the GAPC segment was completed and adopted in draft form by the South Carolina Coastal Council, it was mailed to the many individuals, and State and Federal agencies on the Council's mail­ ing list. Numerous comments, corrections, and additions were received as a result, and subsequently these have been incorporated. In addition, the County Citizens Working Groups, organized in each of the eight coastal' counties, (described in Chapter V(E) received copies of the first draft of the GAPC document. Meetings were held to discuss the Geographic Areas of Particular Concern in detail with staff and Council members. As a result, substantive input from every section of the coastal zone was received in the designation of South Carolina's Geographic Areas of Particular Concern. The areas included in this section are of such special importance and concern to South Carolina that the State has established regulatory and/or management controls over them. The inclusion of these areas within the scope of the management program combined with the critical areas designated by the S. C. Coastal Management Act - tidelands, coastal waters, beaches, primary sand dunes - effectively cover all those areas of specific resource concern in South Carolina's coastal zone. The authority which assures adequate management of GAPCs is Sections 7(A) and 8(B)(II) (described ful­ ly in the Legal Analysis section) of the South Carolina Coastal Management Act. This coordination and cer­ tification authority is affirmed by Memoranda of Agreement (MOAs) executed between the South Carolina Coastal Council and each of the State agencies with authority over GAPCs. These MOAs specify the type and level of coordination as well as that programs will be administered in a manner consistent with Council policies for the coastal zone of South Carolina. Their management in the future will be coordinated to ensure con­ sistency with the policies of the Coastal Council for Geographic Areas of Particular Concern. Implementation Special management consideration will be given to those areas designated as GAPCs through the process of issuance of permits in the critical areas, and review and certification of permits in the coastal zone. When a project overlaps with, is adjacent to, or significantly affects a GAPC, the Council will carefully evaluate the project based on the criteria listed as the priority of uses which specifically address each type of GAPC. A pro­ ject would be prohibited if it would permanently disrupt the uses of priority for the designated area. A project would be strongly discouraged or the permit conditioned if the project would interrupt, disurb or otherwise significantly impact the priority uses of the designated area. For example, in consideration of the permit for a project adjacent to a State Park which would significant­ ly interfere with the primary recreational activities of that GAPC, every effort would be made to preserve this highest priority use of the park. Although all listed priority uses would receive protection, the Council would be committed to especially safeguard the highest priority use. Future Designation of Geographic Areas of Particular Concern As development and implementation of the coastal zone program continues, other areas which may deserve particular attention will be further studied. Nominations of potential GAPCs can be made to the South Carolina Coastal Council by other State agencies, Federal agencies, local governments, organizations, and interested private citizens. A new designation would be possible under any of the three existing GAPC categories. When these potential areas of concern are identified, they will be reviewed by the South Carolina Coastal Council to determine the nature of concern, if they satisfy the appropriate designation criteria, and what type of management needs exist to ensure adequate preservation or control of the areas. The South Carolina IV-2 Coastal Council can designate additional GAPCs after the management program has received final approval without requiring formal amendment to the program. Future designations can be accomplished by a majority vote of the Council once the required management authority is determined and executed. New GAPCs would be automatically added, for example, when Heritage Trust Preserves and Scenic Rivers are designated as parts of the Heritage Trust Program or as a result of the Scenic Rivers Act in South Carolina. In addition, if a new natural resource area is developed or if a significant new coastal dependent activity needs special attention, application to the South Carolina Coastal Council for designation as a new GAPC would be appropriate. As new GAPCs are designated in South Carolina, the South Carolina Coastal Council will specify the priority uses for each new area. Policies for Geographic Areas of Particular Concern The South Carolina Coastal Council has designated the Geographic Areas of Particular Concern discussed in this document because of their unique importance as natural, aesthetic, recreational, scientific, or economic resources in the coastal zone. The existing State management authority for each GAPC is identified, and the priority of uses within each area is specified. In addition, management policies and permitting Rules and Regulations of the South