Boaters and waterfront property owners across South Carolina could face new regulations governing the size and design of docks under a proposal from the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.
The proposed rules would change how dock permits are reviewed and establish size limits based in part on the width of the waterway where a dock is proposed.
SCDES says growing populations and increased development are putting greater pressure on the state’s waterways. As more docks are constructed, the agency is evaluating potential impacts on waterways and surrounding environments.
Under the proposal, the size of a waterway would help determine the maximum size of a dock. Regulations also would address the amount of space that could be used for features including boat lifts and pierheads.
The proposal has drawn attention from boaters and waterfront residents, with some expressing concerns about the potential environmental effects of continued dock construction.
SCDES is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed regulations Oct. 27 at 10 a.m. The hearing will be held at the South Carolina Administrative Law Court in the Edgar Brown Building, Second Floor, 1205 Pendleton Street, Columbia, S.C. 29201.
The hearing will provide an opportunity for environmental officials, boaters, dock owners and other affected residents to comment on the proposed changes.
The regulations remain under consideration, and additional changes could be made before any new requirements take effect.
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