In the rapidly developing Town of Bluffton, a first-of-its-kind local ordinance aims to further protect wetlands and fill a regulatory void left by the state and federal government.

The new rule, which passed at a March 11 town council meeting, establishes a larger buffer around wetlands and a newfound authority to enforce violations. Wetlands provide the Lowcountry with flood control and critical habitat for a wide range of aquatic species. In a watershed that’s lost over 500 acres of wetlands in the last 20 years, town staff say the new ordinance adds a layer of protection beyond the limited capacity of state and federal agencies.