Friends of the Kiawah River was founded in March of 2009 to protect the river and its surroundings through advocacy and education. Together we can preserve the visual character, the tranquility, the fauna and the flora of the Kiawah River and its surrounding marshes, banks, sand dunes, and Captain Sam's Spit for all future generations, so that they, too, may experience the natural beauty of the area.

How you can support our cause

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Watch our video introduction

Join us for a walk (total about 2.6 miles) to Captain Sam's lead by Sarah Ernst of the Kiawah Nature Program and participate in the Great American Bird Count for 2010. This program, under the auspices of Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology and Audubon, provides valuble data about the changes in bird population due to natural causes and the intervention of man.

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SCELP represented the Georgetown, Charleston and State League of Women Voters, SC Wildlife Federation and SC Coastal Conservation League in the SC Supreme Court ruling that the Coastal Management Program, which is used to protect wetlands throughout the 8 coastal counties, is valid and enforceable and was properly promulgated pursuant to the SC Coastal Zone Management Act.

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updated 01/31/2010

Bulkhead/Revetment -- Judge Ralph King Anderson III, Chief Administrative Law Judge, has upheld KDP's appeal against DHEC's decision to disallow the building of a one-half mile long bulkhead/revetment along the banks of The Kiawh River.

Takings Claim -- KDP's attorney has requested that their takings claim for $100 million, against the state of SC, be held in obeyance as it is not ripe.

Sheet Pile Project -- The DHEC Board has denied KDP a permit to construct a metal sheet pile wall on the narrow portion of Captain Sam's Spit. At a Board review on Dec 10th, 2009 in Columbia, the Board reversed their staff decision. Congratulations to the team of Amy Armstrong (SCELP), Nancy Vinson (CCL) and Sidi Limehouse (FKR), who argued and won the appeal to deny the application.

Is the Spit stable?