State resilience coordinator outlines nature‑based strategies and technical resources for Briarcliffe Acres

Britt Hartley, Watershed Coordinator for the South Carolina Office of Resilience, presented the office's statewide resilience and risk‑reduction plan to the Briarcliffe Acres Town Council during its April 6 workshop and described technical resources to help municipalities plan for climate and flood risk.

Hartley summarized the state's emphasis on nature‑based approaches — including green infrastructure — to reduce flood and stormwater impacts and encouraged the town to use the Resilience Atlas and other shared datasets when updating its comprehensive plan. She said the office offers technical assistance to communities that seek to incorporate resilience measures into land‑use and infrastructure planning.

Council members present acknowledged the potential to align local tree and beautification initiatives with resilience goals; Councilwoman Jennifer Kuperman and the newly formed Resilience + Sustainability Committee scheduled a follow‑up meeting after the workshop, and Hartley was invited to attend. The presentation focused on tools and planning resources rather than on any specific local regulatory requirement or funding commitment.

The Council did not take formal action during the workshop on resilience measures; members directed staff to continue coordination with the Resilience + Sustainability Committee and to consider materials Hartley provided when preparing future budget and planning items.