THE
BLUE HER N
June 2013 Issue
Publication of the DeBordieu Colony Community Association “DCCA” www.debordieucandc.com
A
Beach Renourishment Update
t the special board meeting on May 11, 2013, the Board reviewed the history of erosion on Debidue Island, the key lessons learned from Hurricane Sandy, the increase in bid prices from dredging contractors, and alternatives to lower the cost of renourishing the beach. The erosion we are encountering has been documented back to 1939 by Clemson University. Two wooden groins were constructed on Hobcaw Beach in 1972, which significantly decreased the erosion on our beach while they were functional. In 1979 these groins were destroyed as Hurricane David passed by. As a result, by 1980 the beach erosion increased prompting the approximately 50 oceanfront property owners to construct the bulkhead along the majority of the developed beach front up to Pioneer Place Loop. The bulkhead was completed in 1982 and oceanfront owners have spent over a million dollars maintaining this structure since that time. Beach preservation and maintenance regulations and techniques have evolved over the past 30 years; however some facts have not changed. As an example, studies of the effects of Hurricane Sandy have shown conclusively that those beaches which were maintained and were higher and wider sustained significantly less damage than those beaches and dunes which had not been nourished. This is a fact. While the exact value of the beach to each and every property in our community is often debated; one thing is clear; DeBordieu is a beach community! Techniques and options used to maintain this community amenity evolve just as they do throughout the state and country; however a recent independent economic analysis confirms that there is a price premium of over $38,000 for undeveloped lots in DeBordieu vs. other gated communities on the Waccamaw Neck, which can be attributed to the beach and associated ocean waters. Without a wide healthy beach, this premium cannot be sustained. Professor Rob Salvino of Coastal Carolina University performed this study, and also analyzed the proposed allocation of renourishment costs, which he concluded were fair and equitable. The report can be viewed on the DeBordieu community website, debordieucandc.com. The February 2013 beach monitoring report for DeBordieu shows that only 22% of the sand from the 2006 renourishment remains with 0% remaining on the south end. The sustained northeast winds and high tides further damaged the beach and dune system. The protection we have had for the past 7 years has eroded and some parts of the beach are now at pre-2006 renourishment levels. The bulkhead is at risk of undermining and possible collapse in places. Earlier this spring, the Board voted to proceed with the bidding process to determine accurate dredging costs for this beach renourishment project. The bid responses came in much higher
than in previous years because of the many dredging projects in the northeast created by Hurricane Sandy. Dredging contractors have a historic large number of opportunities for the next year or more. Due to this high demand, the lowest bid was over $10 million. The low bidder has agreed to reduce their price if we can increase the time period for dredging and if we will share some of the risk of bad weather days and allow them some flexibility in the amount of sand added to the beach between 525,000 – 650,000 cubic yards. These negotiations with the dredging contractor are continuing. There was also a review of the proposal from TD Bank to work with property owners who would like to finance their renourishment assessment over a number of years. Various alternatives for proceeding were discussed. There was also a discussion about using some portion of our $2 million reserve to reduce the costs of this renourishment project and to increase dues in future years to restore those reserve funds. The Board decided not to use any reserve funds for this project but to keep the existing reserves and to add to those reserves in the future as required. The Board unanimously approved proceeding with a community vote to renourish the beach up to a maximum amount of $9.4 million and to use the proposed allocation methodology that was reviewed in detail at the February 23, 2013 special board meeting. Since there are differing allocations, the voting requirement will be a 2/3 approval of those voting with a 51% quorum, per the By-Laws. Ballots will be mailed to voting members during the week of May 20, 2013. Electronic voting will also be available. All proxies must be assigned by 5:00pm on Friday, June 14, 2013. Results will be announced at the June 15 meeting. The cost allocations approved by the Board are included in this newsletter.
After Beach Renourishment Before Beach Renourishment