Opinion ID: 1349418
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Linked with the downstream system

Text: The provision cited by the ALC as limiting jurisdiction is found in Section XII of the CMP, entitled Activities in areas of special resource significance. The introduction explains the section's purpose: The following types of areas in the South Carolina coastal zone have been identified through the resource inventory efforts of the Coastal Council and its staff as being unique and either environmentally fragile or economically significant to the coastal area and the State. . . . Because of this sensitivity and their role as an integral part of the coastal ecosystem, alterations in these areas are likely to have direct effects on the critical areas. Because of their value and characteristics the Coastal Council employs the additional resource policies presented in this section in review and certification of any permits associated with an activity in one of these areas. This is done in an effort to protect the value of the critical areas and of all coastal resources. The applicable policies for the individual activity which is proposed, as well as the general guidelines for evaluation of all projects are also considered by the Council and its staff in permit and project reviews in these areas. (emphasis added). The reference to wetlands as linked with the downstream system follows. Though the particular portion cited by the ALC seems to address only wetlands linked to the downstream system, there is nothing to indicate that it is meant to overrule the broader language used earlier in the CMP. To the contrary, given the language emphasized in the above section, the best reading of Section XII is that the policies were meant to complement, rather than limit, policies set out earlier in the CMP. We therefore disagree with the ALC that the above passage limits the application of the CMP to those wetlands linked with the downstream system of coastal rivers and creeks.