News Archives 2001   February | June | August | October

August 2001 Topics     current topics

• NOAA grant awarded for HAB
• Coastal Heritage wins Publication Excellence Awards
• Live from 113 Calhoun
• Free Publication available on purchasing coastal real estate

NOAA grant awarded for HAB research, education, and outreach

The South Carolina Task Group on Harmful Algae is gearing up for another season of studying Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). Aided by a new grant from the National Ocean Service (NOS), a division of NOAA, the project is titled, “A proposed harmful algal bloom initiative for South Carolina.” Nearly $500,000 of funding will allow the task group to further assess the potential environmental impacts of red tides, Pfiesteria, and toxic algae.

The task group has the following five objectives toward HAB assessment:

• determine the present distribution of harmful algae in SC estuaries;
  
  
• determine the environmental factors that favor HAB formation in SC estuaries so that future effects on ecosystem and human health can be predicted;
  
  
• establish a statewide surveillance system for HAB detection and response;
  
  
• expand current communication and education efforts related to HABs, and implement new efforts to increase awareness of the HAB issue among resource managers, community officials, coastal users, and the general public; and
  
  
• insure the continued operation of the SC Task Group on Harmful Algal Blooms.Working together on the project are representatives from SC Sea Grant Consortium, SC Department of Natural Resources, University of South Carolina Belle W. Baruch Institute, and NOS. Project participants will continue to assess the present status of HABs in South Carolina and establish a statewide monitoring and rapid-response system to determine the present and future impact on natural resources and human health.

While HABs are a naturally occurring phenomena, surges in development and excess nutrients could cause conditions that are favorable to new, potentially harmful, algal blooms. “The research philosophy of this project is to focus on the ecology of South Carolina HABs, not just where they are but why they’re occurring,” says Alan Lewitus, Associate Marine Scientist with SC Department of Natural Resources. “Over time, we hope to understand whether human activities are contributing to the problem, particularly with regard to nutrient loading.”

Coastal Heritage wins Publication Excellence Awards

APEX 2001 recently bestowed a prestigious Grand Award to the SC Sea Grant Communications Team for the summer 2000 issue of Coastal Heritage. Of the 724 magazine and journal entries submitted, Coastal Heritage was one of 6 entries chosen to receive the Grand Award.

The publication, which contained the Consortium’s five-year report, garnered an Award of Excellence for printed annual reports as well. 347 annual reports were submitted and nineteen chosen to receive the Award of Excellence.

The APEX awards, based on excellence in graphic design, editorial content, and communications effectiveness, are sponsored by Communications Concepts of Springfield, VA.

Live from 113 Calhoun

Charleston-area residents can now access live weather conditions at 113 Calhoun Street through WeatherBug.com. PC-users download WeatherBug and get up-to-the-minute information such as high/low temperature, wind currents, forecasts, animated radar images, and immediate storm warnings and alerts. WeatherBug is an online weather network created by AWS Convergence Technologies Inc. in Gaithersburg, MD.

Free Publication Available on Purchasing Coastal Real Estate

The S.C. Sea Grant Extension Program, in collaboration with S.C. DHEC’s Ocean and Coastal Resource Management office, has published a new booklet, Q&A on Purchasing Coastal Real Estate in South Carolina.

The booklet addresses natural hazards, such as erosion and flooding, and other factors that can affect coastal property. Building construction features to help prevent damage are included, as well as the different types of flood, wind, and hurricane insurance available to property owners. Tips include house relocation options to avoid erosion, specific limitations of flood insurance, and zoning laws that will affect renovation decisions. The booklet also contains a list of resources for further information.

Copies of the booklet can be obtained free-of-charge through the S.C. Sea Grant Consortium at http://www.scseagrant.org/library/library_pubs.htm.

The S.C. Sea Grant Consortium is dedicated to maximizing the economic, social, and environmental potential of the South Carolina’s coastal and marine resources through research, education, and outreach.

News Archives 2000

News Archives 2002

News Archives 2003

News Archives 2004

News Archives 2005