1. What is a JLUS?

A Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) is a process in which communities and military installations work together to develop common growth management strategies.
Click on the button marked “What is JLUS” for a more complete description of JLUS.

2. Why is a JLUS needed in the Beaufort area?

MCAS Beaufort is a very important part of the Lowcountry region’s economy. The Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce estimated in 2002 that the Air Station contributes about $182 million directly to the local economy every year. It is one of the area’s largest employers, with more than 4000 active duty military and more than 500 civilian staff, accounting for a combined annual payroll of nearly $120 million.

During the past 10 years the Beaufort area has experienced unprecedented population growth. The 2000 Census showed that the County had grown by nearly 40 percent since 1990. Rapid growth has created pressure for urban development which, in turn, has created a growing demand for land throughout the area, including in the vicinity of MCAS Beaufort. As a result, there is a potential for encroachment of incompatible civilian uses near the Air Station. Such uses could affect the installation’s ability to conduct its military operations and achieve its mission. This could directly influence MCAS Beaufort’s future existence.

In order to deal with these issues before they become problems Beaufort County, the City of Beaufort, the Town of Port Royal and the Lowcountry Council of Governments have teamed with MCAS Beaufort to develop effective land use policies for the area surrounding the Air Station.

3. What are the objectives for the Lowcountry JLUS?

  • To identify appropriate regulatory and non-regulatory measures to ensure compatibility between existing and future land uses and MCAS Beaufort air operations.
  • To discourage further land use incompatibility
  • To support future land use compatibility
  • Over time to mitigate existing land use incompatibility if and where feasible
  • To maintain a balance among:
    • Property ownership interests in existing land uses,
      activities and structure
    • Future uses, activities and structures
    • Public, community and military interests.

4. When will the JLUS final report be available?

Work on the project will be completed by the Summer of 2004. The final report will be posted on this web site when it is ready. Before then, however, other information and recommendations will be available here.

5. How does a citizen get involved in the JLUS process?

There will be one or more public meetings scheduled. Their times and locations will be posted here and also in the local daily newspapers. Throughout the study period there will be a variety of other meetings that will be open to the public and also listed at this web site and in the newspapers.

If citizens are unable to attend any of the meetings they can ensure that their comments are received by:

  • Joining the “Forum” at this website and posting comments or taking part in discussions
  • Emailing or calling the study team (see “Who to Contact”)

 

6. Is the Air Station to anything to improve the noise from operations situation?

The Air Station is continually searching for ways to lessen the impact of noise on the
community while not compromising their military mission. Past actions have included published noise abatement procedures and the construction of a new $8 million test cell. Construction of a $13 million state-of-the-art aircraft "hush house" is in design and on track. The JLUS will address additional measures.

 

7. What is the status of an outlying field?

At the present time the number of flight operations at the Air Station do not require
an outlying field. However, it is possible that in the future the need for constructing
such a facility for some training operations may be studied again.

 

8. Are there any programs to purchase land around the Air Station?

The Air Station has congressional authorization to pursue "buffer" lands to help mitigate encroachment/noise and is studying how to proceed. Additionally, the SC State Legislature is working on legislation specifically designed to help counter encroachment at the State's military facilities. The Air Station hopes that the JLUS will look at these initiatives and make
recommendations regarding their use.

 

9. Where are noise complaints coming from?

The Air Station receives relatively few noise complaints. The majority of those complaints come from developed areas impacted by the MCAS landing pattern. Geographically this would be Pleasant Point and Gray's Hill.

 

 

© 2003 Lowcountry Council of Governments.