JULY 4th 2014
Dear Dewees Island Property Owners,
To minimize the risk of fire there are to be No Fireworks on Dewees.
This week will be the biggest week of the year for visitors to Dewees.
This will mean some of our facilities will be crowded and we need your help.
Please park close as possible in the Dewees IOP parking lot and the Dewees Docks to make room for other members. Do not bring any trailer into the lot.
Tropical Storm Arthur Update
Tropical Storm Arthur is moving northward. Please continue to monitor this storm. The latest forecast as of 11.49 AM EDT is :
THE GENERAL CONSENSUS IS THAT THE FORECAST AREA WILL REMAIN ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF ARTHUR WHILE ITS CENTER MAKES ITS CLOSEST APPROACH THURSDAY AFTERNOON...SOME 100-120 MILES OFF THE CHARLESTON COUNTY COAST. GIVEN THE LATEST NHC FORECAST TRACK AND THE LIKELIHOOD OF WEAKER WINDS ON THE WESTERN SIDE OF ARTHUR...NO TROPICAL STORM WATCHES OR WARNINGS ARE EXPECTED OVER LAND AREAS AT THIS TIME. BREEZY WINDS AND RAINFALL SHOULD MAINLY BE CONFINED ALONG OR NEAR THE COAST AS ARTHUR PASSES OFFSHORE AND THEN TO THE NORTH/NORTHEAST. THERE STILL REMAINS A POTENTIAL FOR DANGEROUS RIP CURRENTS...HIGH SURF AND SOME BEACH EROSION ALONG THE SC COAST...ESPECIALLY IF ARTHUR MAKES A CLOSER APPROACH.There is a potential for Dangerous Rip Currents on the front beach during Arthur please exercise caution.
We recommend "NO DIVING" and "NO SWIMMING" at the front Dewees dock for your safety, due to the dangerous currents and tides in Dewees Inlet.
It is extremely dangerous and life threatening to dive from or swim anywhere near Dewees Island Ferries.
FERRY FLEET
The ferries will continue their normal schedule with the following changes.
However if weather conditions deteriorate during the passing of Arthur we may have to change the ferry schedule until conditions improve.
Call the ferry 843 568 3990 to verify that it is running during inclement weather events.
Dewees Island Ferry Schedule for July 3 & 4th
There
will be a 1.00 pm
Ferry from IOP
And
a 1.30 pm Demand
Ferry Run from Dewees Island .
The rest
of the schedule remains the same.
New Ferry Loading Guidelines. The most important feature is that you MUST CALL the Ferry at LEAST 40 minutes before its scheduled departure from the Dewees Island side. You are asked to report the number of passengers, baggage carts and pets you will be leaving the island with. This allows the Captain to select the proper size ferry and to have a priority list for who boards first if there is not sufficient room.
To make room for the ferry staff to efficiently unload the ferry don't congregate on the ramps and docks while the ferry is unloading.
ISLAND ACCESS
When guests are coming to your home, remember to enter them in the ferry gate access system in advance. We want your guests to have a pleasant experience, but if guests show up for the ferry without being entered and we can’t get a hold of you to enter them in, they will be turned back. Please enter them now before the weekend to avoid confusion and embarrassment.
NO CONSTRUCTION
There is to be no construction contractors on the island for the July 4th Holiday.
ISLAND SECURITY
Dewees Island Public Safety, in addition to fire and medical, are responsible for security and the preservation of property on the island. To assure security, the Huyler House is locked after the last ferry run each night. Additionally, security cameras are located at strategic points around the island. Management and security personnel refer all island-wide incidents of vandalism over $1000 to the Charleston County Sheriff for criminal investigation. Public Safety has observed that youngsters are out late at night without supervision. Please talk to your guests and children about respecting the island and others property. Report any suspicious activity and as much information as you can immediately to Public Safety at 843-296-4952. Public Safety is located at the Public Works compound on Old House Lane.
To assist the public safety staff and the Charleston County Sheriff will be on the island during the July 4th Weekend.
An emergency is any situation wherein the safety of people or property is at risk and help is needed.
911 is the number to dial for the fastest possible emergency response when you feel you need emergency POLICE, FIRE or MEDICAL ASSISTANCE.
911 Emergency Personnel will contact the Dewees Island Emergency Response Team and First Responders who will assist with an emergency on the Island.
IOP PARKING REGS
During peak summer months, Dewees owners and guest’s cars can easily fill up the Isle of Palms parking area. Please keep in mind the space limitation and park closely so we can fit as many cars as possible. Be sure to follow the existing POA policy regarding trailers and do not leave them in the parking lot and risk having them towed. You can call any of the nearby storage facilities if you need to temporarily store your trailer. All trailers will be towed at the owner's expense. If you have questions, please call me.
BOATING
Boat dockage at Dewees Island is limited. Please remember that non-owner boats CANNOT dock at or be left at the Dewees Island docks. Please help to curb frustration by parking your boats closely at the Dewees dock. Leaving a large gap between boats limits space available to others.
TRASH & RECYCLING
This time of year we would like to ask you all to make a special effort to handle trash and recycling properly. We now practice All in One Recycling. Remind your guests that trash and recycling need to be properly bagged and discarded in the proper bins at the Public Works Solid Waste Disposal area.Loose and improperly bagged recycling creates additional handling costs to the Utility and is a health hazard. Give yourself a few extra minutes when leaving the Island so you can make your deposit and keep our island clean and green. Do not place bagged trash and recycling in the common area trash bins, which are only designed for small incidental items.
DOGS
Several owners have complained of dog and owner behavior on Island. Below are previous declarations concerning pets. The Board would like to emphasize that pets are to be leashed (with the owner on one end of the leash) or kenneled on the Ferry, ferry landing or associated docks and that owners and guests be considerate of their neighbors, wildlife and shorebirds. In other areas, pets should be leashed or under effective voice control.
Environmental Program Board Recommendation
As a “private island community dedicated to environmental preservation,” we are host to a
variety of declining, rare, threatened, and endangered species. Piping Plovers, Wilson’s Plover, Atlantic Red Knots and American Oystercatchers These birds suffer from habitat loss and disturbance from humans and dogs. We can be certain that the “Dewees design” and pristine dune and beach habitats play large roles in attracting these shorebirds. It is imperative, therefore, that as visitors to the fragile island landscape, we follow these simple guidelines:
■ Avoid walking through dune areas. Wintering birds will use the areas between dunes
for shelter, and later in the year the space is used for courtship and nesting.
■ Keep dogs leashed in the vicinity of all shorebirds. Resting and nesting shorebirds that
are repeatedly bombarded by unleashed dogs can tire quickly. The best time andlocation to run your dog on the beach is at low tide near the center of the island and where birds are not congregating.
■ Do not intentionally flush resting birds. Large flocks of birds will reside on the
beach at high tide. Consider walking the beach during a mid or low tide, this allows birds to rest and helps protect the dunes.
Ferry Guidelines regarding pets 3/23/2012
For the safety of other passengers, crew and pets, Pets are to be kept off the seats of the Ferry and must always be under owner control (kenneled or on a leash). Unless they are in a kennel, all pets are to be leashed when in the ferry landings/shelters and on the ferry and associated docks.
FISHING
The crab dock and nearby rice trunk (Impoundment side) are closed to hook and line fishing from Saturday, May 24th through Monday, September 1st. Crabbing and cast netting is permitted during this time. Please remember to dispose of unwanted bait fish on the outside of the Impoundment.
ISLAND VEGETATIVE DEBRIS REMOVAL
An owner has several options for debris removal on Dewees:
- Trim your trees and brush yourselves (according to ARB guidelines). Owners can place tree limbs and branches (up to 10” diameter in a pile no larger than a twin bed) on the POA right-of-way (edge of road) next to your driveway. At no cost to you the POA staff will chip the debris at your request to Kim 843 568 3991. The chips will be left at the debris site next to your driveway. Please remember to contact the ARB for tree and shrub removal requests prior to any work. Piles in excess of a twin bed size should be handled by your contractor.
- Contractor generated debris and for piles larger than a twin bed must be handled entirely by a contractor, including chipping.
Bulk trash trailers are for the owners use only and are not to be used by contractors for disposal of their debris. Contractors must dispose of debris via their rented dumpster.
Owner Contractors debris is the responsibility of the Owner Contractor to dispose of via their rented dumpster.
Appliances and electronics may not be disposed of in the garbage dumpster or bulk trash trailer. Items must be taken off island and disposed of properly by contractor or homeowner.
Owners or guests cannot rent or use the POA chipping equipment themselves (the POA Insurance Companies do not allow this). All equipment must be used by a qualified, insured, professional contractor. Only pre-qualified contractors may pick up POA equipment.
Enjoy your summertime on the island!
Kim A Knight
General Manager
Dewees Island POA Inc.
Dewees Utility Corporation
843 568 3991
