Isle of Palms Magazine Winter-Spring 2017-18

20 www.IsleOfPalmsMagazine.com | www.ILoveIOP.com | www.IOPmag.com [ Feature ] At one time, IOP had a beach patrol actively walking and monitoring the beach, but, as far as getting into the “science of managing the beach, that really didn’t begin until 2007,” Tucker explained. “We’re now very involved in watching the entire shoreline, basically surveying it so we have the knowledge to know what’s happening and making sure we have ordinances in place to protect it,” she added. Tucker said the island has experienced many shoal management events. There are two unstable inlet zones – the Dewees Inlet end and the Breach Inlet end – which are not uncommon on islands like Isle of Palms. “They often change because of periodic shoal attachment,” she said. “The sand builds up offshore on the northeast end of the island, and that buildup moves close to the shoreline and eventually attaches to it, spreading laterally along the coast. It’s the beach naturally re- nourishing itself.” There can be complications during this natural process, which has prompted city officials to do all they can to keep the beach healthy and at an even width. “We do this to have a dry sand beach everywhere,” Tucker said. “With the help of citizens and the resources that give us assistance like FEMA, the state and private stakeholders, the city’s efforts are to keep a dry sand beach for the full seven miles of the island.” Fortunately, Isle of Palms has a gently sloping shoreline. “Many beaches have a huge drop-off, but IOP doesn’t have that,” Tucker said. “However, on either side of these shoal attachment processes, which happen about every seven years, we will get periodic erosion, and those are the times we step in to help even out the shoreline.” When dredging is required to bring sand in from offshore, areas are monitored and tested to determine if they are good areas from which to borrow. “When harvesting sand, core samples must be taken to make sure the material brought in is right for the beach,” Tucker said. “You would think it’s all sand out there, but there’s rock, clay and high/low shell content, so we have to look at samples first.” If sand that’s brought in is not compatible, it won’t last as long and could produce a negative environmental impact. Tucker recalled that during the big restoration project in 2008, a cannonball was brought up early in the dredging process. “They had to clear the area and call in the bomb squad, but it was determined to be solid and not dangerous,” she said. The cannonball was initially sent to Fort Moultrie, where it was held until the city could get it preserved. It’s now on display at the IOP Recreation Center. “It was an exciting thing to happen during that time, When dredging is required to bring sand in from offshore, areas are monitored and tested to determine if they are good areas from which to borrow.