Report highlights waterways' importance

Friends of the Rivers released its State of the Rivers Report Card to the public for the first time Wednesday at the Stormwater Management Utility Board meeting.

The report, produced by the rivers group, the LowCountry Institute and the Port Royal Sound Conservancy, highlights the iconic and economic importance of local waterways.

It originally issued the grades to environmental officials and Beaufort County staff members in October, but wanted to generate input from the public and elected officials.

Wednesday's two-hour presentation focused on controlling stormwater runoff and enforcing already established ordinances.

Beaufort County waterways received a "C" in stormwater control and a "D" in regulation enforcement.

The environmental group bases the grades on new developments, current ordinances and staff ability to enforce them.

Chris Marsh, executive director of the LowCountry Institute, said stormwater is "the toughest and most important grade due to the area's unprecedented growth."

Runoff from development is the No. 1 source of pollution, he said, carrying oil residues, insecticides and nutrients into marshes and rivers.

Effective stormwater control measures will determine the area's water quality in the future and Friends of the Rivers is looking at how to sustain marine resources over the next 25 years.

Marsh said the solution lies in funding and a regional stormwater approach.

The group also recommended requiring best management practices for new developments in terms of regulating pesticide residues and fecal coliform levels.

The stormwater management utility board thanked the group for its work and urged them to add outside experts to their evaluation team.

Marsh agreed and plans to continue data collection with county and state agencies next year to improve the report's accuracy, which is weak on stormwater control due to limited data.

While Marsh gave a lengthy presentation, public input was lacking. Friends of the Rivers founder Nancy Shilling said she was disappointed more municipal leaders didn't attend.

Beaufort County council members Jerry Stewart, W.R. "Skeet" Von Harten and Laura Von Harten were there.