Coast Guard Finishes Oil Spill Clean-up

The Coast Guard announced on Friday that they have completed their 10-day clean-up of an oil spill that was first reported on October 20, 2009.  The spill impacted Sullivan’s Island, Fort Sumter, Folly Beach, Kiawah Island, Seabrook Island and Edisto Island.

An investigation is still underway to determine the responsible party; we will make sure to keep you all informed as we hear more details.

For the Coast Guard’s press release on the matter click here.

Sailboat Catches Fire (Updated)

A sailboat moored just north of the Coast Guard base on the Ashley River caught fire today. Smoke from the blaze could be seen past the jetties. There is no word yet whether anyone was on board at the time of the fire. Coast Guard is currently investigating the matter.

Update: I drove past the scene of the fire today, I saw the sailboat’s rail sticking out of the water.  It’s safe to say, then, that the boat sank after catching ablaze.  The Coast Guard is still investigating the incident.

The Coast Guard performs an investigation after a sailboat caught fire and sank on the Ashley River. Photo by Cyrus Buffum

BarCampCHS a Great Success (UPDATED)

Participants at BarCampCHS listen to opening remarks from event organizers.

BarCampCHS is officially underway, and we’ll be here all day giving you live updates (follow @CyrusBuffum or @ChasWaterkeeper).  What is BarCamp, you ask?  We’re glad you asked.  Here’s a description taken from their website:

BarCamp is an ad-hoc, user generated “unconference” where participation, not observation is key.  It’s a day where people gather to share and learn in an open environment.

250 attendees spend all day learning about everything from “Building Stronger Communities with Social Media” to “Photojournalism as an Art.”  The presenters are the attendees, and the attendees are the presenters.

Charleston Waterkeeper is specifically interested in this “un-conference” because of its focus on open-sourced means of sharing information.  Our organization’s mission is to improve the quality of Charleston’s waterways.  In order to be successful at implementing this goal, we must engage an entire community and educate our citizens.  And so, it is absolutely essential to share information, spread awareness and involve the public.  Luckily, over the past few years many tools have emerged that have made this easier and more possible.

Harnessing tools like Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, etc. is essential (if done correctly) in effectively implementing our mission, and we intend to keep the public engaged and informed to the best of our ability about the issues influencing the health of our waterways.  Hopefully we’ll return from this conference with some heavy artillery and new ideas to better serve you and our natural resources.

Update: Here’s a great video from our friend @geofftech:

Feature on Watauga Riverkeeper

Donna Lisenby, North Carolina’s Watauga Riverkeeper, was recently featured in a short documentary.  The Waterkeeper Alliance is lucky to have Donna’s dedication and commitment, and we at Charleston Waterkeeper are proud to be a part of this movement.

Folly Beach City Council Talks Trash

Mayor Beckmann discusses ideas designed to address litter on Folly Beach

Yesterday evening, Folly Beach City Council members met for a two-hour work session in order to brainstorm ideas to address the prevalence of litter on their beaches and streets.  Increased attention has been given to the issue of trash and litter as a result of 4th of July festivities that left both Folly Beach and Morris Island absolutely trashed.

Each council member had an opportunity to present his thoughts on the matter. Councilman Goodwin suggested that the city use the public radio station, 1610AM, to broadcast information and regulations pertaining to the beaches.  He recommended that signs be erected on Folly Road encouraging people to “tune in.”  In addition, the councilman proposed that the city officially adopt the SC State Litter Law which issues a $1,000 fine, court time and community service to any ‘litterbug’.

Mayor Beckmann emphasized that it is essential to “change the behavior of people” in order to address the problem, and yet, he said, “[this is] the hardest of our challenges.”  The mayor also made a statement of personal responsibility, explaining that it is fine for citizens to expect a clean beach, but it is just as much their responsibility to do something if they see polluters or litterers as it is the city’s, “the thing with litter is that you’ve got to catch people in the act.”

A number of public organizations, non-profits, schools and social clubs already donate their time and attention to Folly Beach and other areas by organizing regular beach sweeps and cleanups.  Councilwoman Beck challenged the city to support such groups and organizations, considering the amount of support they have given the city.

Councilman McCarty’s recommendations focused on the importance of community involvement.  He proposed a 5-pointed approach to do so:

1. Engage the citizens
2. Inform the public
3. Enlist volunteers
4. Reward positive behavior
5. Audit effectiveness of abovementioned efforts

After nearly two and a half hours of brainstorming, council members reached a very simple consensus: litter on our beaches and streets must be addressed by attacking it from more than one angle.

Charleston Waterkeeper commends the City of Folly Beach for taking an active role in addressing litter on our beaches and streets.  Such leadership provides a prime example for citizens and neighboring municipalities.

We’ve Got It!

After a year of indecisive deliberation, Charleston Waterkeeper finally has a logo (we’re serious this time, we promise!).  A huge thanks to Justin Harris (follow him on twitter: @JHarrisSC) for making it all happen! 

We’re revving up to plaster the new logo just about everywhere, so get ready to help spread the word: stickers, shirts, who knows… maybe even a tattoo here and there.

Email us your thoughts about the meaning behind the different components of the logo.  If we think you’re on the right track then we’ll send you a free sticker (once we get them printed up, of course).

Celebrate our First Year with Us!

In mid-November, we will be hosting our official “Launch/1-Year Anniversary” Party.  Though we may be the first organization that has ever held a party to celebrate both its official launch and its first birthday, we strive to break the traditional means of doing business…

We’re still refining the details, but here’s what we do know:

1. You’re not going to want to miss it
2. All of the photographs you’ve submitted for the WTF campaign will be creatively displayed for the entire community to see (keep ‘em coming!)
3. You will have a chance to be surrounded by 360 degrees of immersive images
4. The auction we’re preparing includes everything from sailing lessons to a make-up party
5. It will be in mid-November, likely November 12, 2009
6. Members of Charleston Waterkeeper will receive discounted tickets (Not a member? Become one today!)
7. The food and drink will keep you quenched and full
8. You’ll get an in-depth look at the issues degrading the quality of our waterways and see how Charleston Waterkeeper is defending our right to clean water
9. You’ll have a chance to help defend our most precious natural resource

Stay tuned for more detailed information…

Charleston County’s Living Green Show

Earlier this summer I was a guest on Charleston County’s Living Green Show to talk about marine pollution. The show is part of the County’s CARE Program. Here’s a brief explanation of their role:

The Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) Program is an EPA-funded grant for the purpose of increasing awareness within Charleston County about air and water pollution sources that affect our environment and our health. CARE is helping to educate and assist citizens in taking action to reduce pollution.

Charleston Waterkeeper wants to send a huge thanks to our friends Wendy Wicke from the County and Lucas Scholl from Charleston Harbor Marina for helping out!

Folly Beach Cleanup (Beach Sweep/River Sweep 2009)

This past weekend, nearly 200 volunteers came out to clean up Folly Beach.  As part of the annual Beach Sweep/River Sweep, Charleston Waterkeeper helped organize the efforts on “The Edge of America.”  We even made the news! Here’s a little background on the event:

Beach Sweep/River Sweep—organized by S.C. Sea Grant Consortium in partnership with S.C. Department of Natural Resources—is the largest one-day litter cleanup of South Carolina’s beaches and waterways. Every third Saturday in September thousands of South Carolinians volunteer to clear trash from our beaches, rivers, lakes, marshes, and swamps.

As usual, cigarette butts took the prize as the most prevalent item found littering our beaches.  What was the strangest item found?  I’d say the toilet and the lawnmower found on Folly are up there!  Here’s a pie chart showing the breakdown of the top ten items found on Folly Beach. (Click on the chart for a larger version)

WTF Charleston! Water the Future…