Case Name: South Carolina Department of Environmental Services & Coastal Conservation League v. Rom Reddy
Location: Isle of Palms, Charleston County
Venue: Originated in South Carolina Administrative Law Court; currently at the South Carolina Court of Appeals
Issue: Appeal of a DES enforcement action involving an illegally constructed beachfront seawall

Case Overview

After the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (DES) issued an enforcement order requiring removal of an illegally constructed seawall in 2024, the property owners appealed to the Administrative Law Court. SCELP intervened on behalf of the Coastal Conservation League (CCL) to defend the state’s enforcement decision and protect the public’s interest in healthy, accessible beaches.

Following a five-day trial in May 2025, the Administrative Law Court issued an Order, and then an Amended Final Order, concluding that the seawall is illegal and must be removed. The Order required the approval of a corrective action plan and a removal timeline, but declined to reinstate the civil penalty assessed by DES.

All parties filed appeals in January 2026. Our appeal is to ensure that the full legal framework and evidentiary record supporting the decision are accurately and completely considered on review, and that the full range of remedies necessary to protect South Carolina’s coast is preserved. The case will continue in the South Carolina Court of Appeals.

Why This Matters

South Carolina law prohibits new seawalls because hardened erosion control structures interfere with natural beach functions, worsen erosion and undermine public access.

Illegal seawalls do not just affect a single property. They can:

• Accelerate erosion on adjacent beaches
• Disrupt natural sand movement and shoreline dynamics
• Harm coastal habitat and wildlife
• Reduce the dry sand beach available for public use

The Administrative Law Court found that Reddy’s seawall conflicts with the public-interest protections built into South Carolina’s coastal laws. The outcome of the appeals will define how strongly those protections are enforced in the future, especially as sea-level rise and stronger storms place growing pressure on the coast.

SCELP’s role is to ensure that coastal protection laws are applied consistently and that private interests do not override public rights and environmental safeguards.

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Procedural History & Timeline

July 1, 2024 – Administrative Enforcement Order issued

July 18, 2024 – Reddy Request for Contested Case Hearing

August 7, 2024 – SCELP Motion to Intervene Granted

May 2025 – Trial Held
The Administrative Law Court holds a five-day trial on the seawall’s legality. Read more here.

October 23, 2025 – Final Order Issued
Judge Ralph King Anderson III rules the seawall violates state law and orders removal. Read more here.

November 3, 2025 – Parties File Motion for Reconsideration
The parties file motions asking the Court to reconsider the order. 

November 10, 2025 – Judge Rescinds October Order
The Court rescinds the October order for more consideration of the motions  Read more here.

‍December 30, 2025 – Amended Final Order Issued
Judge Anderson again rules the seawall is illegal and must be removed, and requires the submission of a corrective action and imposes a timeline for removal. The court declines to reinstate the civil penalty. Read more here.

January 23, 2026 – Reddy Files Motion to Stay the ALC Amended Final Order
Reddy files a motion to stay, requesting that the wall be allowed to remain in place pending a ruling by the Court of Appeals.

January 29, 2026 – Appeals Filed
Reddy, DES, and SCELP, on behalf of CCL, each file notices of appeal with the Court of Appeals. Read more here.