Engineering solutions for all tide access to all tidal creeks in Murrells Inlet so we don’t have to wait for tides is among the most short sighted proposals I have seen in my lifetime. The creeks of the estuary have always been shallow and low tide is for the birds and other creatures in the marsh that use tidal pools to do what they naturally do. Nature depends on our estuary and if we are not careful we will destroy it.
Tides matter too. 95% of oysters in South Carolina are inter-tidal and exposed to air at low tide. The most economically important shellfish harvesting areas on the north coast of our state are located in Murrells Inlet. Eliminating natural process in 16.49 miles of creeks by dredging them out wholesale is a consequential change in a natural system. Boat wakes damage oyster reefs and salt marsh too.
Inter-tidal oyster reefs also protect the salt marsh. Do you recognize the problem yet?
SC Department of Natural Resources spent years to study living shorelines utilizing oyster reefs as a natural way to protect estuarine shorelines. Natural engineers are the best for this purpose and oysters help clean water and protect shorelines.
Oysters are ecosystem engineers. Is killing them for boating 24/7 in the public interest?
Couldn't agree more! Where does this stand at the moment?