Cherry Grove residents get dredging break in bill set for approval

Cherry Grove residents would save $1,000 and bypass bureaucratic red tape if they decide to dredge from their docks to the channel after North Myrtle Beach conducts dredging operations along the canal.

Legislation sponsored by state Sen. Greg Hembree, R-Little River, would allow residents to operate under the city’s permit from the Army Corps of Engineers, rather than apply for a separate permit from the state Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC).

Hembree said the state permit has the same strict requirements as the federal government demands, but charges $1,000 for the identical piece of paper to allow dredging and requires a 30-day public notice.

The $16 million cost of dredging the canal will be shared among residents whose property lines the waterway, estimated at nearly $24,000 per property owner over the next decade.

“Cherry Grove residents already are facing a hefty bill for dredging,” Hembree said. “We’re trying to save money for folks in Cherry Grove who are already spending a lot of money to dredge the channel. It saves them money for having to comply with the same state and federal conditions.”

Pat Dowling, North Myrtle Beach spokesman, said the private dredging could not coincide with the city dredging project, but once the city is done, residents can contract out to have their property dredged individually, or in concert with other neighbors.

“DHEC agrees there is no reason to require them to do (the additional permit) in this particular zone,” Dowling said.

Hembree’s measure has received initial approval in the state House and Senate but was referred back to the upper chamber on Thursday with a technical amendment. It received overwhelming approval in both chambers and is expected to pass quickly when the legislature returns to work next week.

The city’s dredging project is expected to begin in October and conclude in April to remove silt buildup from a 24 to 30 foot width of the canal.

This story was originally published March 5, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Cherry Grove residents get dredging break in bill set for approval."