CCU faculty team with students, Horry County to help wetlands

Two environmental education staffers from the Waccamaw Watershed Academy at Coastal Carolina University, Karen Fuss and Megan Brown, are working with the Horry County Stormwater Management Department and Ocean Bay Middle School Science Club members to construct a stormwater wetland at the new Carolina Forest Recreation Center, 2254 Carolina Forest Blvd. The group began planting wetland plants on March 6.

Stormwater wetlands are designed to remove and trap pollutants carried by storm runoff from rooftops, parking lots, and sidewalks. The aquatic and wetland plants help to process nutrients and filter water while attracting natural wildlife such as butterflies and birds. Treated water discharged from the stormwater wetland will be cleaner and have less impact on nearby natural waterways. The Science Club members recently prepared the area for planting by removing invasive cattails that would have crowded out the new plantings.

Horry County's Infrastructure and Regulation Division views this project as a great way to demonstrate that constructed wetlands can be effective, attractive alternatives to conventional stormwater ponds.