South Carolina Communities Step Up for Wetlands

Becky Ryon • July 4, 2026

Buffers and Setback adopted by Cities and Towns

Over the past year, several South Carolina communities have taken important steps to protect wetlands at the local level. In June 2025, the Town of Bluffton became the first jurisdiction to adopt a 50-foot wetland buffer, setting the stage for others to follow. Since then, Mount Pleasant adopted regulations protecting non-jurisdictional wetlands with a 10-foot buffer and Awendaw established an impressive 75-foot buffer and 15-foot setback. 

Momentum Continues in Horry and Georgetown Counties


In June 2026, several counties enacted new wetland protection ordinances. Horry County, one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, adopted a 15-foot wetland buffer as part of its updated Landscaping, Buffer, and Tree Preservation Standards ordinance. Georgetown County has arguably established the strongest county-level wetland protections in South Carolina following the Sackett decision by creating a permitting system that limits fill in non-jurisdictional wetlands while requiring a 25-foot buffer and 15-foot setback.


While we would like to see even larger buffers and stronger protections, these actions represent meaningful progress. We applaud these local governments for using their home rule authority to adopt standards that exceed current state and federal requirements, demonstrating that communities can take the lead in protecting the wetlands that safeguard water quality, reduce flooding, and support South Carolina's natural heritage.


South Carolina Environmental Law Project Makes Model Wetlands Ordinance Available to All

The model ordinance, developed by SCELP in 2022 in response to ongoing federal uncertainty and in anticipation of rollbacks under the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark Sackett v. EPA decision, is now widely available to any local government or community advocate through SCELP's new wetlands page.

You might also like

Celebrating Our Carolina Wetlands

Wetlands and Flooding

By rick.savage • June 9, 2026
Hello Wetland Supporters, I hope everyone had a wonderful American Wetlands Month in May and found an opportunity to get outside and explore a wetland. We enjoyed fantastic paddling events at Robertson Millpond Preserve and Lake Mayo, where participants experienced the beauty and importance of these unique ecosystems firsthand. Wetlands have also been in the news recently as the impacts of recent Supreme Court decisions on wetland protections continue to be evaluated. Two recent articles highlight what is at stake: Lisa Sorg in Inside Climate News, Supreme Court’s Limitation on Wetlands Protection Will Make Flooding Worse Jesse Gourevitch and Adam Gold, New Research Shows What’s at Stake When Wetlands Disappea r The central message of both articles is clear: the loss of wetlands leads to increased flooding and rising economic costs for communities. Research cited by Gourevitch and Gold found that wetland loss across the United States has increased residential flood insurance claim payments by an estimated $10.1 billion since 1985 — approximately 9% of all insured riverine flood losses nationwide. The authors also emphasize that policymakers must better recognize the economic value wetlands provide in reducing flood damage to homes and communities. According to the research, the flood-mitigation value of currently unprotected wetlands is estimated at $177 billion nationwide , with North Carolina accounting for approximately $4.6 billion of those benefits . This research reinforces what the Carolina Wetlands Association has long understood: healthy wetlands are essential infrastructure for resilient communities. Through support from the NC Land and Water Fund, Carolina Wetlands Association have received three grants to partner with vulnerable communities to assess flooding concerns and develop restoration plans that incorporate community input, scientific data collection, and hydrologic modeling to identify the most effective wetland restoration strategies. We are also excited to share that we recently received a fourth NC Land and Water Fund grant to begin our first restoration project at Stony Run in Harnett County. Stony Run Walkable Watershed Lumbee Cultural Center Wetland Restoration By working alongside communities and restoring wetland resources, we are helping reduce potential flood damage while also providing additional benefits such as improved water quality, recreation opportunities, shoreline stabilization, environmental education, and greater community resilience. So, the next time you explore a wetland, remember that healthy wetlands mean healthy communities — and your support plays an important role in protecting these valuable ecosystems. Wetlands truly do matter. Best, Rick Savage Executive Director
Kayakers

Exploring North Carolina’s Wetlands: May Paddle Events Recap

By aaron.ellis • June 9, 2026
Wetland supporters enjoyed two memorable May paddling events, exploring North Carolina’s beautiful wetlands while spotting wildlife and learning from local experts.
PP

Celebrating Wetlands

By kim.matthews • May 7, 2026
May is American Wetlands Month - yes, an entire month to celebrate these ecologically diverse and economically important ecosystems. Wetlands account for 14% of the land area in North Carolina and almost 20% of South Carolina!