Georgetown County is updating oyster and sediment surveys in Murrells Inlet before state and federal agencies decide on a dredging permit. The project would cover 16.5 miles and remove over 750,000 cubic yards, amid concerns about potential habitat harm.
Sediment buildup has left some inlet channels unnavigable, particularly at low tide; the county says reopening them could restore waterfront access and boost the local economy. Work is proposed in three annual phases, each running November through March. The county hopes to obtain a permit in six to eight months, but the earliest possible start is winter 2028.
A survey by former marine science professor Dennis Allen, submitted by the S.C. Environmental Law Project, found oyster beds in channels where project maps had not indicated shellfish impacts. The county plans to test whether dredged sediment contains contaminants, including by exposing shellfish to some of the material in a controlled setting. The National Marine Fisheries Service said in a 2023 letter it does not support the proposed disposal site, citing sediment differences that could harm habitat.
