Saving the Sea Islands from Sand Mines

Gullah/Geechee Nation ♦ November 17, 2020 ♦ 3 Comments

Two months ago, the Beaufort County Board of Zoning Appeals made the correct decision that an additional sand mine on historic Daufuskie Island, SC is inappropriate. This inaccurate map depicted below that tries to relegate the Gullah/Geechee area to a portion of the island does not take into account that Daufuskie Island is within the national Gullah/Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor and thereby the entire island should be protected as a natural historic culturally significant area:

Queen Quet, Chieftess of the Gullah/Geechee Nation (www.QueenQuet.com) and Founder of the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition presented 3000 signatures to the Beaufort County Board of Zoning Appeals in opposition to the proposal to allow a 41st sand mine to be placed on Daufuskie Island.

The proposal would actually first allow for the clear cutting of approximately 5 acres of land. The removal of the trees will then put the nearby homes in more danger from wind damage when tropical storms and hurricanes pass by the island. In addition, the tree stumps will need to be burned as part of the removal process and the Gullah/Geechee elders that live on this island are extremely concerned about this smoke invading their homes and affecting their health in the midst of a pandemic. This project which is not far from a sacred Gullah/Geechee burial area does not add to the quality of life of any residents of historic Daufuskie Island.

In spite of the decision of the Beaufort County Board of Zoning Appeals, the petitioner has filed an appeal and wants to continue to attempt to place this sand mine on the island. Opposition letters to this can continue to be sent in to the Beaufort County Planning Office and the Beaufort County Board of Zoning Appeals and should be cc’d to the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition at GullGeeCo@aol.com.

While Daufuskie Gullah/Geechees fight against this in the southern point of the South Carolina region of the Gullah/Geechee Nation, environmentalists are fighting against sand mining in Horry County. On November 17, 2020, the Horry County Council will host a public hearing regarding sand mining. Those who support that county getting and maintaining control over sand mining, should sign this petition:

Sand mining continues to be a controversial issue throughout the Gullah/Geechee Nation. It is causing environmental harm and danger to numerous communities. We hafa stand fa save we Sea Island sand!