COASTAL OBSERVER

The town of Pawleys Island will build a berm along a portion of Myrtle Avenue in an effort to reduce flooding from extreme high tides. 

The town is also seeking federal funds to address flooding in the Birds Nest section on the island’s south end while awaiting the completion of a master drainage plan this summer.

Town Council agreed this month to move forward with planning for the 2.5-foot-high berm that is proposed for 900 feet along Pawleys Creek north and south of the chapel. The project will be designed by the engineering firm SeamonWhiteside, which is also creating the drainage plan.

The town will pay $44,000 for the design and project management. The work is estimated to cost another $240,000. It will be paid for with $250,000 included in the 2023 state budget for island drainage improvements.

Town Council first considered the project in February, but deferred a vote to get more detail. The council didn’t meet in March, but voted unanimously this week to move forward.

Mayor Brian Henry noted the work will be done in an area that is both prone to flooding and has high visibility.

“I’d love to be able to do this and say it worked,” he said.

The town will know the final cost once the design is complete. It will then have to find a way to pay for the difference between that and the state allocation.

The project will place 225 cubic yards of fill. That is estimated to cost $22,500. The biggest single cost is $85,000 for additions to 10 creek docks so they will cross over the berm.

During its work on the drainage plan, SeamonWhiteside found that the section of Myrtle Avenue is only 6 inches above the average high tide in the creek.

The firm also prepared a proposal to improve drainage on Springs Avenue between Hazard and Pritchard streets on the south end that was submitted to U.S. 7th District Rep. Russell Fry.  It is estimated to cost $3 million and, if funded, will require a $30,000 local match.

The funds would come through the Environmental Protection Agency.

“He’s well aware of what our challenges are,” Henry said. “Out biggest challenge here is to get funding.”

Town Administrator Dan Newquist met with Fry’s staff after they sought proposals for local infrastructure projects. They told him Fry can submit 15 requests as part of the budget process, Newquist said.

The first hurdle for the town will be to make the shortlist. Even if the project isn’t included in next budget, it will be in the pipeline for future appropriations bills, Newquist said.

“I don’t know why, but I’m optimistic,” Henry said.

If the project is funded, the town would be able to use revenue from the $2 million earmarked for town drainage improvements in Georgetown County’s capital project sales tax. It was 10th on a list of 22 projects guaranteed for funding through the sales tax that voters approved in November and that goes into effect May 1.

Newquist expects the sales tax revenue will be available to the town in 2027.