I hate to be the bearer of bad news. However we will not have a boat landing at Bushy park before 2017. I met with Mark Hehn, Deputy Supervisor/ General Services, Special assistant to Mr. Peagler Berkeley county supervisor. The money was approved on the 2014 referendum and wouldn’t be used until 2016. However, Berkeley county approved more projects than they had the money to pay for. I think the money went to road work or a pet project. Also talked with Mr. Byrd DNR engineer in Columbia, he is against dredging Bushy Park, said it will silt right back in, and another site should be found. Talked with Mr. Tom Lewis, Berkeley county engineer, he would approve the Bushy Park landing dredging. He states a new site up river near the old General Dynamics plant would be fine, however, by the time they get all the wetlands permits, DHEC, and environmental studies and permits it could take years. I reminded Mr. Hehn that Mr. Dan Davis the previous Berkeley county supervisor said the money was approved more than two years ago. He reminded me that was a previous regime and had nothing to do with Mr. Peagler’s regime. Army Corps of Engineers would approve the dredging which was to be 100 ft. wide. 8 ft. deep at mean low water, and 1750 feet long. However they could not put the spoil in yellowhouse creek before November. There will be a Berkeley County council meeting in November and they will decide whether to spend the money on a boat landing, roads, or a project of their liking.
I suggest we show up in force at the Berkeley county council meeting and overwhelm them with our demands for a boat landing now.
We have been jerked around to long on this. I have contacted the office of Senator Graham and Scott on this issue to no avail. I talked with Congressman Sanford, he is on our side. I realize this is not a national issue, however, if we could get them to put a bug in someone’s ear things would happen. It’s time for action, get the pen’s and phones out and scream until some action is taken. Sorry for being so long winded.
Thanks for the information. Would Senator Tim Scott be the man to contact for the location of the landing? I have heard that dredging would be a waste of time and money. I remember reading something about a small island near the current landing. It is owned by one of the companies in the area and a bridge would have to be built as well as the new landing. It would be deep water. I think it mentioned the land was even going to be a donation. Might bee what you are referring to as far as 2017 and permits and such.
Key West 1720 115 HP Johnson Saltwater.
Please post all their contact information.
I’m sure there are plenty of folks on here that would like to talk to them.
Also, details of the meeting in November. When, Where, etc.
Some of the personnel in Berkeley county government to contact regarding the Bushy park boat landing.
Tom Lewis: Berkeley county engineer. Phone 719-4127
Mark Hehn: Special assistant to Mr. Peagler Berkeley county supervisor.
Phone 693-4392
Mr. Byrd enviromental engineer with DNR in Columbia. I lost his number, however, he can be reached by calling human resources (DNR Columbia)
Mark Messersmith with the Army Corps of Engineers. Phone 329-812
I will do some research and see if I can come up with more phone numbers.
It would be a good idea for more calls or letters to Senator’s Graham, and Scott, as well as Congressman Sanford.
The Corps of Engineers navigation section states the Yellow House Disposal area will not be available until 2018, not November, due to work being done at the site, so no dredging until then unless the county can find another site. That is not likely to happen.
Olde Man Charters
I live in Summerville and have fished Bushy Park many times over the years and lots of my friends frequent that boat landing. I will definitely be on top of this and tell my boys who I fish with to contact the proper people.