Coastal Environment

This is a big one for me. There is nothing I appreciate more than the beauty that surrounds me as I walk or drive around our island. I will not sacrifice that for anything. Our pristine beaches, dunes and marshlands must be protected. Some of what is happening to our marshlands now is unacceptable. We have to work together to protect our large variety of trees and wildlife because whether you recognize it or not, they are slowly being destroyed.

In a document prepared for the Southern Beaufort County area about 12 years ago, it stated that 58% of southern Beaufort County’s natural forests are anticipated to be impacted when all currently approved development is built out. The local and county governments must work together and do what’s right for our land and people. We can respect property rights while also taking into account the impacts of development and make sensible and responsible decisions as we move forward. Rather than steamrolling decisions, I want to work with residents and developers to obtain input from all stakeholders, and carefully evaluate decisions so that there are no regrets in the future.

I am currently not supporting any upzoning and will not be voting “yes” on any new development.