A request from Georgetown County and the City of Georgetown for federal funds to deepen the inner harbor has been granted. U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham announced this week that the project will receive $6.5 million as part of the first Fiscal Year 2024 spending package.
The funds will allow the harbor in Georgetown to be deepened for the first time since before the Army Corps of Engineers announced in 2008 that it would no longer dredge that channel. Since that time, major silting has occurred, leaving some areas of the harbor with no more than 3 feet of depth at low tide. This is a hazard for recreational boats and threatens the area’s future as a working waterfront, as shrimp boats and small to mid-size recreational boats require at least a 7-foot depth of mean low water to operate.
Georgetown County and the City of Georgetown have been working together for several years to find funds for dredging and look for long term solution to the silting problem. In 2018, they engaged Coastal Carolina University to complete a feasibility study to identify potential engineering solutions to prevent silting from occurring in the future, or at least from occurring at such a fast rate.
The university issued a report in 2019 that identified 13 potential solutions and recommended an engineering firm be engaged to give further study to the four most feasible recommendations. GEL Engineering was engaged in late 2021. Findings were presented the following year.
Among its findings, GEL said initial dredging of the inner harbor would be required under any scenario to maintain present uses. Dredging of the east and west channels was estimated last year to cost a total of $5.2 million. The county still has to obtain state and federal dredge permits. While it hasn’t been determined yet when funds will be made available, County Administrator Angela Christian and Georgetown Mayor Carol Jayroe agree it will be a great day for our area.
“Coupled with the support of our federal delegation and the dedication of our team, this funding marks a pivotal moment for our community,” Christian said. “Dredging will safeguard our maritime heritage and also help protect the viability of our working waterfront. We are so grateful for this investment, which will help preserve the essence of our coastal identity.”
She offered thanks to all those who worked to secure this funding, including Sen. Graham and our other representatives on the federal delegation, Rep. Russell Fry and Sen. Tim Scott; Georgetown County Council; our partners at the City of Georgetown; and all members of Team Georgetown.
“Thanks to the concerted effort of the City and County and public support for contributing to this much needed project for the vitality of our area,” Jayroe said. “Economically this is a boost for our working waterfront and City. This appropriation will positively address the adverse impacts of the siltation in the inner harbor.”
We look forward to providing updates on this project as more information becomes available.