IMPORTANT NOTICES
Litter rears its ugly head again…
LITTER PICK UP ONCE MORE IN JEOPARDY
the EIPA Board response:
TOWN OF EDISTO BEACH FURTHER REDUCES CONTRIBUTION
FOR 2012 AND THREATENS 100% CUTOFF IN FUTURE
The history:
EIPA is an all-volunteer 501c3 non-profit organization with no office and no
staff. We keep our membership fee low (only $5.00 for an individual membership, $10.00 for a family) so that no one will find membership to be a hardship. Even with no staff and limited income, our officers, directors, and volunteers have accepted the responsibility of implementing the Edisto Scenic Byway Corridor Management Plan and the Administrative Directorship of Edisto Pride. Last year, when town council unexpectedly abandoned its long-standing policy of funding litter clean-up along the gateway to Edisto Beach and awarded only one-half of the cost as a matching grant, EIPA launched an emergency fund raising drive that raised sufficient funds along with other donations to the Town to match the reduced amount and fund the clean-up contract for another year. We raised approximately $2,600 in excess of the amount that proved necessary to meet the matching grant for 2011 and have earmarked those funds for the litter clean-up effort in 2012.
Where we are today:
We have just received word that the town council has further cut the amount of its grant for 2012, down to $5,000 and stated that this will be the final year for the Town’s participation. The decision and the threat to eliminate funding entirely in future years was passed by a 3 to 2 majority with Mann, Anderson, and Hutto in the majority and Mayor Burley Lyons and Councilwoman Jane Darby voting to continue funding.
When we asked our members to contribute money to the litter clean-up fund in 2011, we assured them that this was a one-time plea and that we were confident that the town, perhaps assisted by the Chamber of Commerce and the business and real estate community, would see that the clean-up contract was adequately funded in the future.
In an effort to help avert another crises, the EIPA board voted at our regular board meeting on Wednesday afternoon, January 11th., to make a contribution out of our operating fund in a sufficient amount to bring the $2,600 already on hand from last year’s fund raising up to an even $3,000. We hope that this $3,000 will put the community well on the way to getting enough participation to fund the contract for another year. However, as we promised our members last year, EIPA will not be heading that fundraising.
One would think that any resort municipality would seek and cherish the benefits that would flow from having the sole highway for arriving and departing visitors designated as a National Scenic Byway. Indeed, the scenic beauty and cultural and historical ambiance of the Edisto Island National Scenic Byway is the first impression made upon a visitor to Edisto Beach and the last impression upon leaving the beach to drive back home. That impression today is a priceless asset to tourism and visitation, but should the avenue be sullied by accumulated trash and garbage, that impression will become overwhelmingly negative. In that event the entire community will suffer but most of all the Town of Edisto Beach and its stakeholders.
Botany Bay Beach Closures
The beach will be closed from the Tiki hut to the North Edisto River and Indian point
will also be closed-February 6-10 for birding surveys and maintenance.
Visitors can go on the beach from the Tiki hut south to Townsend inlet only.
Charleston County Takes Action
to prevent driving in the marsh along Steamboat Landing Road
After negotiations with OCRM failed to produce state action, Charleston County has planted native
shrubs along the road in an effort to prevent people from driving off of the road into the marshlands.
We deeply appreciate the County's efforts and will continue to monitor the area in an effort to encourage
the public to respect this vital part of our ecosystem.
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EIPA's Annual Meeting was held on
Nov. 5 at Sand Creek Farm on Edisto Island
Keynote Speaker: Dr. A.L. "Al" Segars, SCDNR
Director of Stewardship NERR thanked the EIPA membership for their understanding
of and belief in the importance of preserving habitat. He shared with us some things
we can all do
to help preserve our natural resources while detailing some of the key issues.
There was a wonderful turn out and we thank all who attended.
For those unable to attend we hope you can be with us next year!
Special thanks to the Huffines Foundation for underwriting the costs of our Annual Meeting
and their support of our on-going programs.
Many members have renewed their memberships already. However if you have not
now is the time. Individual memberships are only $5,
Family memberships are $10, Business memberships are $25.
To join click here
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