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

Check your membership

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Watch our video introduction

Take a look at this video from the Golf Channel showing Lauren Thompson, host of Destination Golf on a kayak trip on the Kiawah River to Captain Sams, showing wildlife (without a revetment.)

We counted 42 species of birds in 3 hours on the Spit during the Great American Bird Count for 2010.

See our full list

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.

Read the details

updated 03/05/2010

Bulkhead/Revetment -- Judge Ralph King Anderson III, Chief Administrative Law Judge, has withdrawn and reissued his decision to uphold KDP's appeal against DHEC's decision to disallow the building of a one-half mile long bulkhead/revetment along the banks of The Kiawah River. He has also ruled to deny a request by SCELP for the case to be reconsidered. See Links/Recent Decisions above.

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.

Is the Spit stable?