Charleston Supreme Court Ruling on Stormwater Project Ignites Local Backlash

Charleston, S.C. Courts Decision Sparks Controversy Over Stormwater Project

In a significant turn of events, the South Carolina Supreme Court has recently given the green light for the WestEdge Foundation to proceed with a highly debated stormwater improvement project on the Charleston Peninsula. Despite the ruling, the project has stirred considerable unrest among local residents and environmental activists, who are vocal about their concerns.

What’s the Project About?

The project at hand involves the capping of an exposed landfill and the filling in of a degraded marsh to facilitate the installation of a new drainage system. Supporters believe this undertaking is essential for improving stormwater management in Charleston, particularly given the city’s long-standing issues with flooding. Yet, with any development comes its share of dissent.

Voices of Opposition

Among those leading the charge against the initiative is Dr. Merrie Koester, a member of the Charleston Area Justice Ministry’s Environmental Justice Committee. With fervent passion, she voiced her disapproval, stating, “I would be mortified if this development went forward.” Dr. Koester, along with fellow advocates, raises concerns that the capping of the landfill could lead to environmental negligence, particularly regarding leachate contamination.

Leachate is a significantly concerning factor in this project. It’s the liquid generated when rainfall seeps through landfill waste, and the potential for pollution is alarming. Dr. Koester elaborated, “A modern landfill has a leachate collection system with wells where you can sample that to say, oh, there’s lead or arsenic or cadmium or whatever.” She has highlighted that the pollution has been affecting Gadsden Creek, allowing contaminants to flow through drains from nearby hotels and parking lots, ultimately impacting the local community.

The WestEdge Foundation Responds

Following the court’s decision, the WestEdge Foundation’s leadership expressed regret that cleaner, more sustainable solutions might not be possible. Their CEO issued a press release expressing the hope that there were “ways to clean and preserve what remains of Gadsden Creek.” They highlighted that the engineers’ assessments coupled with the Supreme Court’s ruling led them to believe that the only viable route to safeguard the community from worsening flood risks is to go ahead with the current plan.

The CEO stated: “But as engineers concluded and our state’s highest court has affirmed, the only feasible way to provide the community with long-term relief and protection from worsening flooding is to proceed with our plan to cap the landfill and install a new stormwater system.”

Community Considerations

While the WestEdge Foundation moves forward with the necessary permitting to kick off the project, Dr. Koester insists that it’s crucial to keep the impact on the local community at the forefront of discussions. She emphasized the need for “repair and reconciliation with the African American community in the Gadsden Creek watershed.”

Dr. Koester’s fight underscores a larger conversation about the need to consider the historical context and the legacy associated with the affected areas, stressing that “let’s think about preserving what matters for them and with them.”

The Road Ahead

As Charleston gears up for this complicated project, both sides of the debate are bracing for what’s to come. While some see hope for improved flood management, others remain cautious, urging decision-makers to think carefully about the long-term implications for the environment and community. One thing is certain: the discussions surrounding this stormwater initiative are far from over.