The Conservation League’s campaign highlights environmental damage, community displacement, and the project’s empty promises to voters ahead of the November vote.
The Coastal Conservation League has launched a “Save Our Sea Islands” campaign to stop the I-526/Mark Clark Expressway Extension project set to be funded if the Charleston County Special Sales and Use Tax referendum passes this November. This campaign initiative aims to protect Charleston’s most treasured resources—our Sea Islands, our Stono River, our historic settlement communities, our access to public land, our viewsheds, and our Lowcountry way of life—from the devastating impacts of this proposed highway extension.
“The I-526 extension isn’t just another road project; it’s a direct threat to our environment, our communities, and the essence of Charleston’s Lowcountry,” said Faith Rivers James, Executive Director of the Coastal Conservation League. “We are committed to opposing this project because it puts too much at risk—our homes, our heritage, and our future. Together, we must protect what makes this place truly special. We must fight to save our sea islands, save our Stono, and save our communities.”
In November, Charleston County residents will vote on a new 25-year Special Sales and Use Tax that, if approved, would primarily fund the $2.3 billion Extension. I-526 is named the only “priority” project for the county, draining funding from other more pressing priorities across the county.
The proposed I-526 Extension presents several significant concerns:
Displacement of Communities: The extension threatens to uproot families from their ancestral homes in historic settlement communities on James and Johns Islands, severing deeply rooted connections to the land.
Environmental Destruction: Over 40 acres of wetlands vital for flood control, water purification, and wildlife habitat would be lost, along with 30 acres of the beloved James Island County Park.
Increased Pollution and Flooding: Two additional roadways over the Stono River would lead to more pollutants like tire particles and oil runoff, further degrading water quality and exacerbating flood risks in low-lying areas.
Failure to Alleviate Traffic: The project is likely to cause additional traffic and congestion rather than providing a sustainable solution to existing traffic and safety concerns.
The “Save Our Sea Islands” campaign calls on all Charleston residents to protect the Lowcountry’s unique character and natural beauty. For more information on how to get involved, visit saveourseaislands.com.