Settle cove clearing exemplifies need for change in lake permitting policies
By Steve Bell- Lake Watch Columnist
The new approved Lake Murray Land Use and Shoreline Management Plan requires SCE&G to map, identify and protect environmentally sensitive areas (ESAs) on the lake including shorelines classified as easement lands. Easement lands are those shorelines where fringelands have been previously sold down the 360 contour. Additionally, the new plan calls for a 50 ft. natural buffer zone landward of the 360 contour where ESA’s are present in future developments where 75 ft. buffer zones exist.
According to the new shoreline plan, ESA areas are as follows: (1) Shallow Cove with Stream Confluence- Areas where streams (perennial and intermittent) enter the lake and form coves where water levels historically outside the channel are predominately above the 355 ft. contour lines. The up gradient portion of the shallow coves is typically vegetated with buttonbush, willows. (2)Vegetative Shoreline-a. Continuous- Continuous vegetated linear shoreline at least 66 feet in length with vegetation greater than five feet wide, measure perpendicular to the shoreline. This class can have gaps provided the total gap length is less that 16 percent of the total linear footage of the area. B. Intermittent- Linear shoreline coverage of vegetation at least 66 feet in length where 16 to 40 percent of the total linear footage is gap.
SC DNR and LakeWatch asked Federal officials to extend identifying and mapping of ESA’s to the estimated 400 miles of developed easement shorelines. They say mapping of ESA’s in these areasis the only way to protect the remaining fish and wildlife habitat and aesthetic resources. But the process seems to dragging out, and this concerns some of the environmental groups who say these issues go back over a decade. SCE&G has asked for a 6 month extension to complete the requirement originally scheduled to be finished last month. In the meantime old shoreline rules continue to apply and this concerns agencies who say that some ESA’s could be dismantledby SCE&G’s current permitting policies. This was evident when SCE&G recently approved a request by a developer to clear underbrush in the back of Settle cove near Chapin. Several homeowners called SCE&G to complain. SCE&G stated thedeveloper was issued a permit to remove pine saplings and indicated they were “watching” it. But when the clearing went beyond pine saplings to willows and button bushes, SC DNR was called in and consequently submitted a report of its findings.
In a letter to SCE&G’s Lake Management Department, Ed Duncan, DNR’s Director of Environmental Programs, stated, “Recently, we were informed of an area of clearing below the 360 elevation in the back of a small cove in the Settle Cove Subdivision. Department staff made a field inspection on March 1, 2005. The area could be described as the back of a shallow cove lined with buttonbush and willow trees. A continuous line of vegetation measured about 80 linear feet around the back of the cove. Above the normal high water mark, the property extended shoreward about 100 feet to the 360 contour, which was marked by a silt fence. This area appeared to be spring fed and had some hydric soil characteristics. The area lakeward of the silt fence had been thinned and under brushed for the purposes of providing a view shed for future development. As many as 40 buttonbush and willows had been cut and numerous other small trees such as red maple and sweetgum had also been removed. The thinning and under-brushingresembled that which would be allowed above the 25’ no cut zone within the 75’ vegetated buffer. “
Duncan concluded by saying,“We realize that this property is located adjacent to easement lands and that it has not been mapped for its environmental resource values as of yet. We believe that the shoreline could qualify as ESA and would be marked on future maps that include the ESA’s in front of easement lands. In the lower and middle portions of the lake, where very little undeveloped shore exists, these shallow, back cove areas provide important refugia for small fish and wildlife. We ask that you help us to protect these valuable shoreline resources by not authorizing clearing, thinning or under-brushing below the 360 elevation. It is especially critical to not allow clearing activities in the backs of coves or along any shoreline areas that contain emergent woody vegetation. We recognize that it is difficult to prevent back property owners from occasionally clearing a shrub or bush, but in order to reduce impacts; we need to send a message to property owners that it is not allowed with the possible exception of a pathway to a dock. As for the property in Settle Cove Subdivision, we believe the vegetation could grow back if no further thinning or clearing is allowed. We recommend you contact the back property owners and let them know they will not be allowed to do any further thinning or clearing below the 360 elevation.”
DNR’s push to protectESA’s on easement lands could save the lower lake from what some say is the inevitable, an urban pond with limited natural resources, and poor water quality in coves. Whether these ecological treasures will remain in tact, largely will depend on how aggressive SCE&G is on enforcing new management prescriptions that are now being developed. One way to ensure that ESA’s are protected is for lake residents to adopt these shorelines and insist on their protection. For more information on adopting a wildlife area, visit .
Steve Bell is President of Lake Murray Watch. He can be reached at
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