One of my opponents argues for reducing the seawall setback from 25 feet to 10 feet. That might sound simple, but the consequences are anything but. This isn’t just about property lines—it’s about protecting the very shoreline that defines Folly Beach.
Elton Culpepper. He asked the council to consider a 10-foot setback for seawalls rather than the proposed 25 foot setback in reference to Ordinance 031-24. View Minutes
That 25-foot setback isn’t arbitrary—it’s based on coastal science and is a key condition of our partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. If we start weakening that buffer, we risk violating federal guidelines and jeopardizing future beach renourishment funding—millions of dollars that Folly Beach relies on to combat erosion and storm damage.
And let’s not forget: seawalls placed too close to the beach don’t just fail to protect the shoreline—they actually accelerate erosion, destroy dunes, and damage neighboring properties. Other communities have already lost federal support because they ignored this science.
Folly Beach can’t afford to trade short-term convenience for long-term vulnerability. Leadership means looking out for the entire community—not just individual interests. The 25-foot setback is a smart, science-based protection for our coast—and I’ll stand firm to defend it.
