NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW) – A group of North Myrtle Beach activists rallied at the Ingram Dunes on Saturday in efforts to encourage the public to keep donating and showing their support to preserve the land.
The president of Preserve Ingram Dunes, Damien Triouleyre, has been working alongside several others to save the dunes from being flattened and developed for over two years.
Now his journey to save the land is more critical than ever as the group awaits the Department of Health and Environmental Control’s decision on whether or not they will uphold the stormwater permits approved for the area in December.
The stormwater permits allow developers to start construction on the dunes’ land.
“It’s kind of do or die, this is the time. If you’ve put any energy in now, it’s like you’ve come to the fourth quarter, it’s time to step up because this will be won or lost in the next few months,” Triouleyre said.
In the meantime, the group is trying to raise enough money to pay for the land’s $3.1 million dollar price tag.
So far, the City of North Myrtle Beach has pledged $500,000 toward the land and Preserve Ingram Dunes has raised around $100,000.
In addition, the city has submitted a request for $2.5 million from the South Carolina Conservation Bank, but they are still waiting to see if their request will be approved.
“Whatever we could get from the conservation bank would be most helpful; it would be a game changer,” Triouleyre said.
Preserve Ingram Dunes estimates they have a few months to secure the funds.
“I think the most important thing is that people not lose heart, it is kind of a make or break time, but it’s people’s faith in the dunes that will make this come to fruition,” Triouleyre said. “We’re doing this because we love the dunes, and we’re trying to get everyone to work together to try to save the dunes.”
To learn more about the Ingram Dunes, click here.
Donations to save the dunes can be made by check to the City of Myrtle Beach, with Ingram Dunes or Ingram Dunes Fund written in the memo. Drop off or mail to City Hall located at 1018 2nd Ave S, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29582.