H 4683

AN ACT TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE "BEACHFRONT MANAGEMENT REFORM ACT"; TO AMEND SECTION 44-1-60, RELATING TO APPEALS FROM DECISIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL GIVING RISE TO CONTESTED CASES, SO AS TO EXCLUDE DECISIONS TO ESTABLISH BASELINES OR SETBACK LINES FROM THE APPEAL PROCEDURES; TO AMEND SECTION 48-39-10, RELATING TO COASTAL TIDELANDS AND WETLANDS DEFINITIONS, SO AS TO REDEFINE THE TERM "PRIMARY OCEANFRONT SAND DUNE" FOR PURPOSES OF ESTABLISHING A BASELINE AND TO DEFINE THE TERM "STORM SURGE"; AND TO AMEND SECTION 48-39-280, RELATING TO THE STATE'S FORTY-YEAR RETREAT POLICY, SO AS TO IMPLEMENT A BEACH PRESERVATION POLICY, TO PROHIBIT THE SEAWARD MOVEMENT OF A BASELINE FROM A CERTAIN LOCATION, TO ESTABLISH THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL MUST ESTABLISH BASELINES AND SETBACK LINES FOR CERTAIN AREAS AND UNDER CERTAIN GUIDELINES, TO PROHIBIT THE USE OF DATA FROM AN AREA IMPACTED BY A STORM SYSTEM OR EVENT NAMED BY THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE FOR EIGHTEEN MONTHS AFTER THE STORM, TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT TO GRANT A REVIEW OF A BASELINE OR SETBACK LINE FOR A LANDOWNER, A MUNICIPALITY, COUNTY, OR ORGANIZATION ACTING ON BEHALF OF A LANDOWNER THAT SUBMITS SUBSTANTIATING EVIDENCE SHOWING AN ADVERSE AFFECT ON HIS PROPERTY AND TO ESTABLISH GUIDELINES FOR REVIEW; TO AMEND SECTION 48-39-250, RELATING TO LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS REGARDING THE COASTAL BEACH AND DUNE SYSTEM, SO AS TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO THE RETREAT POLICY; TO AMEND SECTION 48-39-260, RELATING TO THE STATE'S POLICY STATEMENT ON THE BEACH AND DUNE SYSTEM, SO AS TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO THE RETREAT POLICY; TO AMEND SECTION 48-39-350, RELATING TO THE LOCAL COMPREHENSIVE BEACH MANAGEMENT PLAN, SO AS TO REMOVE REFERENCES TO THE RETREAT POLICY; BY ADDING SECTION 48-39-285 SO AS TO REQUIRE DHEC TO INITIATE A NEW BASELINE CYCLE BY NO SOONER THAN JANUARY 1, 2024, AND TO PROVIDE WHICH BASELINE AND SETBACK LINES WILL BE IN EFFECT FOR A LANDOWNER UNTIL THE NEW BASELINE AND SETBACK LINE ARE ESTABLISHED. - ratified title