Read Marty Morganello's essay on Long Island Development.

Morris Island

In 2004, the Charleston Surfrider Chapter fully launched its Morris Island Campaign. The chapter opposes all development on Morris Island because it is considered an ecologically fragile barrier island providing refuge for wildlife and migratory shorebirds.

Runoff and increased boat traffic from development would severely impact the water quality on Charleston's beaches and harbor. Any type of development would jeopardize the island's historical and cultural character, as well as devastate the sensitive marine forest and beach ecosystem. "It's a moving island, subject to tremendous erosion and exposure to storms. There's a reason no man-made structures have survived," explains chapter activist Bubber Hutto, a structural engineer for the Navy. " If you take away all the historical context, you still can't justify building a bunch of mansions on this island."

Morris Island's historical roots can be traced back as the launching pad of the Civil War and the setting for the heroic charge of the all-black 54 Massachusetts Infantry. Joe McGill, an associate for the Charleston Office of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, stated, "The island needs to be preserved for its role in our nation's history on several fronts." The island was recently named at the top of the nation's 10 most endangered Civil War sites by the Washington-based Civil War Preservation Trust. John Tucker, superintendent of the Fort Sumter National Monument, stated that they are fully opposed to the development plan and added, "It would be the equivalent of building a mall beside the battlefield at Gettysburg."

The proposed lots would cost from $2 million to $6 million. Homes would cost approximately $1.5 million and would be built on pilings 13.5 feet above high tide to supposedly keep them safe from storm surges that come during hurricanes. Development would take place on about half of the 125 acres the developer has under option. Developer Harry Huffman admits the island's topography and geographic location present unique challenges. There is no bridge to Morris Island; construction crews, and later, homeowners, would travel by private boat. Electricity cables would have to go under the harbor. The island's highest ground is about 10 feet above sea level. There would be no cars or roads on the island; residents would travel by golf cart.

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Wednesday, March 5, 2008 Taco Boy, Folly Beach Click to join the CharlestonSurfrider Yahoo! Group

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