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Oysters on an oyster reef.

Draft Supplement to the Koppers Restoration Plan Released for Public Comment

January 10, 2020

NOAA and natural resource trustees in the Koppers Co, Inc. Hazardous Waste Site in Charleston, South Carolina have released a Draft Supplement to the Final Damage Assessment and Restoration Plan released in June of 2017 (PDF, 14 pages). With this supplemental plan, the trustees are proposing to replace the Long Branch Creek marsh creation project, which is no longer feasible, with a previously evaluated oyster reef creation project. 

The trustees are soliciting public comments on the draft supplement for 30 days until February 12, 2020.

The project from the 2017 Assessment and Plan (PDF, 99 pages) would have restored tidal salt marsh and fishery habitat within Long Branch Creek, Charleston, South Carolina. It included removing three undersized, failing pipes running under the West Ashley Greenway, a linear park, and improving tidal flow above and below the Greenway causeway. After further evaluation, the Trustees found that the Long Branch Creek project would no longer be feasible and are proposing to replace it with the oyster reef creation project, evaluated during project selection.

The oyster project would create additional oyster reef habitat in the Charleston Harbor estuary. This would involve constructing one or more intertidal oyster reefs, encompassing approximately 2.4 acres. It is anticipated that this project would eventually provide ecological services equivalent to those of a natural oyster reef of equivalent size. The Trustees propose to implement the oyster reef creation project in collaboration with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ Oyster Restoration Program, in 2020 and 2021.

To submit comments during the 30-day window, please send them to Krista McCraken, NOAA Coastal Marine Specialist in Charleston, South Carolina, at krista.mccracken@noaa.gov with the subject line “Koppers Draft Supplement Restoration Plan Comment.” 

Or mail your comments to:

  • Krista McCraken ℅ NOAA Restoration Center
    2234 South Hobson Ave
    Charleston, SC 29405

Requests for hard copies of the draft plan should be submitted to the email or mailing address above before the February 12 comment deadline.