2026 Comprehensive Plan Update - Public Priorities

Beaufort County is undergoing a 5-year update of the 2040 Beaufort County Comprehensive Plan. Since its adoption in 2021, many of the recommended actions within the Comprehensive Plan have been completed. As a part of the 5-year update, the County needs input on how to prioritize remaining action items and newly proposed action items.

Please use this form to help the County prioritize the next 5 years of the Comprehensive Plan's implementation.

Instructions: This form represents six sections of the Comprehensive Plan and the remaining action items associated with each. Each section provides background information followed by a list of actions to be taken. Please select actions that the County should prioritize by clicking the checkmark next to each action. You may select as many actions as you like.

If there are additional actions you'd like to recommend be included in the Comprehensive Plan Update, please include those in the Comments box at the end of the form.

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Above is background context about the Natural Environment Chapter of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan.

Please prioritize the following Natural Environment Actions by selecting the check-box next to actions the County should prioritize. A theme appears before each action item for ease of navigation through the list.

WATER QUALITY - Monitor the effectiveness of existing ordinances to protect water quality and natural resources.

LAND CONSERVATION - Seek referendums on land conservation funding.

TREE PROTECTION - Require/encourage developments to adopt tree management plans.

WATER QUALITY - Support the Port Royal Sound Foundation in monitoring the health of the Port Royal Sound.

WATER QUALITY - Update freshwater wetlands protections.

LAND CONSERVATION - Maintain critical environmental systems mapping.

LAND CONSERVATION - Update the environmental systems mapping on a five-year cycle to reflect ongoing research, actual conditions, and conservation priorities.

RESILIENCE - Install and monitor environmental sensors and tidal gauges.

WATER QUALITY - Utilize groundwater monitoring data to support septic system retrofits or sewer extensions.

FLOODING - Adopt comprehensive water plans for vulnerable areas.

HEAT - Study heat impacts to identify the County's hottest regions.

FLOODING - Adopt a zoning overlay to require resilient development standards in areas vulnerable to coastal flooding.

FLOODING - Adopt additional feet of freeboard above Base Flood Elevation.

FLOODING - Review the County's Community Rating Service (CRS) program and improve the rating to reduce flood insurance costs.

RESILIENCE - Implement policies that will increase low-impact development standards, increase buffers, limit septic systems, and reduce density for low-lying areas.

RESILIENCE - Develop a flood, sea level rise, and climate change roadshow program.

RESILIENCE - Maintain a collaborative working group for discussion and feedback regarding sea level rise and resilience.

RESILIENCE - Hire a Resilience Officer to oversee climate resilience planning.

FLOODING - Develop a county-level website that houses flooding and sea level rise information, including housing reports, outreach materials, and GIS mapping.