County to be applauded for new stormwater rules

Congratulations to Beaufort County Council, and especially to Chairman Weston Newton, for putting into place new regulations that could help protect and restore the health of our rivers.

Newton pushed for the new rules on stormwater runoff after the state this spring placed first-ever restrictions on shellfish harvesting in the May River's headwaters. It was a test of his leadership, and he passed with high marks. We also thank County Council members for their support of this important measure.

The restrictions on oystering were a clear signal that Bluffton and county officials hadn't done enough to protect the pristine estuary in the face of new development, despite repeated promises to do so.

Now Bluffton and other county municipalities must follow suit so that we have a united front in protecting our waterways.

Bluffton Town Council is one vote away from adopting its ordinance, and Councilman Charlie Wetmore says it should be on the books by December. The council and the public should brook no delays in that happening.

The county's new stormwater ordinancerequires all new development and redevelopment to maintain pre-development hydrology, including the temperature, rate and volume of stormwater runoff.

The changes address the quantity of fresh water reaching the saltwater estuary's tidal creeks. Fresh water affects the chemistry of the creeks and its ability to deal with pollutants.

Too much fresh water also can harm the many creatures that live and reproduce in the saltwater creeks.

Despite this victory for our rivers, Newton recognizes that much more work is ahead.

"This is a great first step, but it's just that -- a first step," he said Monday.

The big test will come in retrofitting existing systems to meet the new, tougher standards. It can be done if we have the collective will to do it. Consulting engineers who worked on the ordinance list ways it can be achieved.

We also need to continue to work for strategic land purchases that take property out of development and improve development strategies that reduce the amount of hard surfaces that contribute to stormwater runoff.

Newton also rightly points out that good intentions are not enough. Degradation of the May River's water quality came in the face of repeated pledges to "protect the river, protect the river, protect the river."

Now let's do it.