Business & Tech
Charleston Metro Chamber Of Commerce: Charleston Peninsula Perimeter Protection
In response to public input, several significant changes have occurred to optimize the tentatively selected plan.
November 19, 2021
In 2018, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) began the Charleston Peninsula Coastal Flood Risk Management Study to investigate coastal storm impacts on the Charleston Peninsula. In April 2020, the USACE published a draft Feasibility Report and Environmental Assessment (FR/EA), which identified several potential storm risk reduction measures, including a perimeter storm surge wall, pump stations and nonstructural measures. In March 2021, the study furthered transitioned to an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), which enabled the USACE to define mitigation measures, update the project analysis and seek additional public comment. Ultimately, the study will conclude with a final detailed report to Congress in the summer of 2022.
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In response to public input, several significant changes have occurred to optimize the tentatively selected plan. These changes include a decrease in the estimated project cost from $1.75 billion to $1.1 billion, an increased benefit-cost-ratio from 2.2:1 to 10.2:1, the addition of living shorelines, a reduction of wetland impacts, the modeling of impacts to surrounding areas and a refined interior drainage analysis.
The City of Charleston is currently debating whether to enter the next phase of the process, known as Preconstruction, Engineering and Design (PED). During PED, USACE and the City complete the detailed engineering, technical studies and design needed to begin construction of the project. Specific questions about location, construction detail and potential enhancements will be studied and finalized during the PED.
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The Chamber was asked by Mayor Tecklenburg to offer comment on whether the city should begin the PED phase. In response, the Chamber held a Business In Your Backyard event on October 19, 2021, to present the facts to Chamber membership. Subsequently, Dale Morris, the Chief Resilience Officer of the City and Councilman Mike Seekings both made presentations to the Regional Policy Committee and the Business Advocacy Committee.
This press release was produced by the Charleston Metro Chamber of Commerce. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
