2026-05-14T15:23:38-04:00 2025-12-31 570692602 BURKETT BURKETT & BURKETT CPAS PA PO BOX 2044 WEST COLUMBIA SC 29171 990 2025-01-01 571031430 SOUTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROJECT INC SOUT 8435270078 PO BOX 1380 PAWLEYS ISLAND SC 29585 AMY E ARMSTRONG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 8435270078 2026-05-12 true MATTHEW P HODGES CPA P00905863 8037943712 2026-05-12 2025 2025-03-06 01:10:19Z AMY E ARMSTRONG P O BOX 1380 PAWLEYS ISLAND SC 29585 2951567 false X SCELP.ORG X 1995 SC WE USE OUR LEGAL EXPERTISE TO PROTECT THE LAND, WATER AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA. 14 14 20 16 0 1383988 1614837 60740 190003 127504 179221 20765 19605 1592997 2003666 0 0 1523321 1730910 7000 353508 447459 486826 1970780 2224736 -377783 -221070 3445196 3338459 172511 168129 3272685 3170330 X WE USE OUR LEGAL EXPERTISE TO PROTECT THE LAND, WATER AND COMMUNITIES ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA. false false 1584795 190003 IN THE FACE OF THE WORSENING CLIMATE CRISIS AND ESCALATING LOSS OF WILDLIFE, HABITAT, AND HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS, IN 2021 SCELP ADOPTED A NEW 5- YEAR PLAN, INCLUDING THREE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMATIC GOALS. TO PROTECT LIFE-SUSTAINING NATURAL SYSTEMS, SCELP HAS CONTINUED ACTING AS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST HARMFUL LAND USES, USING LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY TO ESTABLISH NEW AND BETTER LAW FOR LAND, WATER AND WILDLIFE; AND SUPPORTING NATURE-BASED LAWS AND POLICIES THAT PROMOTE RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION. TO PROTECT WATER FROM CURRENT AND FUTURE THREATS, SCELP HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER USES, FOR CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF WATER QUALITY AND AQUATIC LIFE, AND FOR LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR STATE-OF-THE ART STORMWATER AND FLOODPLAIN PRACTICES. TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA, SCELP'S LEGAL ADVOCACY HAS BEEN COUNTERING ENVIRONMENTAL INEQUITIES IN FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES, CARRYING FORWARD SCELP'S ORIGINAL MOTTO "NO CASE IS TOO SMALL" WHENEVER A VULNERABLE COMMUNITY SEEKS ASSISTANCE IN OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE. OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE INCLUDE COASTAL MANAGEMENT, WATER AND WETLANDS, WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION, LANDFILLS, NUCLEAR AND TOXIC WASTE. EACH PROGRAM SERVICE INCLUDES LEGAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATION, LEGAL ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LITIGATION, AND FORMAL LEGAL CHALLENGES AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. 1584795 true true false true false false false false false true true false false true true false true false false false false false false false true false false false false true false false false false false false false false true false false false false false false false false true 27 0 20 true false false false false false true true false false false false false false X 14 14 false false false false false false false true true false false true true true true true true true false false NC SC X X X AMY E ARMSTRONG 8435270078 P O BOX 1380 PAWLEYS ISLAND SC 29585 JERRY SCHULZE BOARD CHAIR 1.50 X X 0 0 0 GREG A VANDERWERKER MD VICE-CHAIR 1.50 X X 0 0 0 THOMAS KESTER CPA TREASURER 2.00 X X 0 0 0 JAMELLE ELLIS PHD SECRETARY 1.00 X X 0 0 0 MAC BENNETT DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KEITH BOWERS DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 TERRY GRAYSON-CAPRIO CPA DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 LIZ IGLEHEART DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 BESS LOCHOCKI ESQ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 MICHELLE MAPP ESQ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CARLA PINCKNEY DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 CYNTHIA POWELL DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 DAVIS WHITFIELD - CARGILE ESQ DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 KEITH WILLIAMSON DIRECTOR 1.00 X 0 0 0 AMY E ARMSTRONG EXECUTIVE DI 40.00 X 194670 0 21460 MICHAEL CORLEY DEPUTY DIREC 40.00 X 125357 0 17484 BENJAMIN CUNNINGHAM SR. MANAGING 40.00 X 125569 0 6222 LESLIE LENHARDT SR. MANAGING 40.00 X 120863 0 19466 FILIPPO RAVALICO DIR. OF OPER 40.00 X 107758 0 20722 674217 85354 5 false true false X 130937 1483900 112078 1614837 INCOME/FEES RECOV'D/CASES 190003 190003 190003 156851 156851 919236 896866 22370 22370 22370 70640 130937 51035 19605 2003666 369224 194670 91495 44774 58401 1237773 916881 129521 191371 54234 38090 8031 8113 134916 91791 12178 30947 109317 76617 13286 19414 9500 9500 33104 33104 7000 7000 23218 23218 49976 46271 2721 984 27006 26840 94 72 26868 13862 3333 9673 32101 18551 4918 8632 92512 69275 10733 12504 31720 28815 1274 1631 20129 16899 3230 2714 1357 1357 13019 9552 1480 1987 LITIGATION COSTS 56030 56030 LAW BOOKS/LEGAL RESEARCH 28360 28360 DUES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS 12803 11577 220 1006 BANK FEES 9495 9495 18271 9428 7070 1773 2224736 1584795 286433 353508 141683 264696 585536 259242 345061 140055 41346 33557 6710 7789 1983472 2231699 382734 434978 3445196 3338459 55716 28997 116795 139132 172511 168129 X 2925265 2948630 347420 221700 3272685 3170330 3445196 3338459 X -221070 118715 X false true X true false X 1445435 3532820 1305920 1367202 1614837 9266214 1445435 3532820 1305920 1367202 1614837 9266214 1605630 7660584 19196 40487 79526 118618 156851 414678 77583 34202 18100 15842 19605 165332 9846224 1007788 0.77800 0.76430 X PART II, LINE 10 FUNDRAISING INCOME (LOSS) 165,332 RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED RESTRICTED 36105 36105 2188157 2224262 261213 65303 222619 229902 248063 261213 961797 1442696 30104 31604 33104 36105 130917 55655 57476 62016 65303 240450 360675 267922 33265 2966 298221 237098 33544 2720 267922 116318 100000 22926 2146 237098 132099 -14470 1311 116318 112073 21314 1288 132099 1.00000 true false 41346 33557 7789 7789 BENEFICIAL INTEREST PERPETUAL TRUST 298221 RIGHT TO USE ASSETS 136757 434978 LEASE LIABILITY 139132 139132 2163741 118715 13543 132258 2031483 23218 -51035 -27817 2003666 2266096 13543 13543 2252553 23218 -51035 -27817 2224736 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 2, PART V, LINE 4 THE PERMANENT ENDOWMENT IS HELD BY THE COASTAL COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SOUTH CAROLINA, INC. THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE ENDOWMENT IS TO PROVIDE DISTRIBUTIONS TO THE SOUTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROJECT, INC. IN SUPPORT OF ITS CHARITABLE PURPOSES, TO BE USED FOR SUCH SPECIFIC PURPOSES AS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA ENVIRONMENTAL LAW PROJECT, INC. DEEMS APPROPRIATE TO ENHANCE ITS CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES. SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XI, LINE 4B FUNDRAISING REVENUES ARE SHOWN NET OF EXPENSES ON THE 990 0 BUT ARE SHOWN SEPARATELY ON THE AUDITED FINANCIAL 0 STATEMENTS. DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES WERE 51,035. -51,035 SCHEDULE D, PAGE 4, PART XII, LINE 4B FUNDRAISING REVENUES ARE SHOWN NET OF EXPENSES ON THE 990 0 BUT ARE SHOWN SEPARATELY ON THE AUDITED FINANCIAL 0 STATEMENTS. DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES WERE 51,035. -51,035 WILD SIDE 182277 125787 56490 13731 19894 1500 7549 MAM LUNCHEON 19300 5150 14150 7417 944 201577 130937 70640 21148 19894 1500 8493 51035 19605 X X false false false false false false false false false AMY E ARMSTRONG EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR 194670 9733 11727 216130 X 1 112078 false false false FORM 990, PAGE 2, PART III, LINE 4A IN THE FACE OF THE WORSENING CLIMATE CRISIS AND ESCALATING LOSS OF WILDLIFE, HABITAT, AND HEALTHY ECOSYSTEMS, IN 2021 SCELP ADOPTED A NEW 5- YEAR PLAN, INCLUDING THREE AMBITIOUS PROGRAMMATIC GOALS. TO PROTECT LIFE-SUSTAINING NATURAL SYSTEMS, SCELP HAS CONTINUED ACTING AS THE LAST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST HARMFUL LAND USES, USING LITIGATION AND ADVOCACY TO ESTABLISH NEW AND BETTER LAW FOR LAND, WATER AND WILDLIFE; AND SUPPORTING NATURE-BASED LAWS AND POLICIES THAT PROMOTE RESILIENCE AND ADAPTATION. TO PROTECT WATER FROM CURRENT AND FUTURE THREATS, SCELP HAS BEEN ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABLE WATER USES, FOR CONSERVATION AND RESTORATION OF WATER QUALITY AND AQUATIC LIFE, AND FOR LEGAL PROTECTIONS FOR STATE-OF-THE ART STORMWATER AND FLOODPLAIN PRACTICES. TO ADVANCE ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE ACROSS SOUTH CAROLINA, SCELP'S LEGAL ADVOCACY HAS BEEN COUNTERING ENVIRONMENTAL INEQUITIES IN FRONTLINE COMMUNITIES, CARRYING FORWARD SCELP'S ORIGINAL MOTTO "NO CASE IS TOO SMALL" WHENEVER A VULNERABLE COMMUNITY SEEKS ASSISTANCE IN OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE. OUR AREAS OF EXPERTISE INCLUDE COASTAL MANAGEMENT, WATER AND WETLANDS, WILDLIFE AND HABITAT CONSERVATION, LANDFILLS, NUCLEAR AND TOXIC WASTE. EACH PROGRAM SERVICE INCLUDES LEGAL ADVICE AND CONSULTATION, LEGAL ADVOCACY TO IMPROVE PROJECTS AND MANAGEMENT DECISIONS WITHOUT THE NEED FOR LITIGATION, AND FORMAL LEGAL CHALLENGES AND ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 11B FORM 990 IS REVIEWED BY THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BEFORE FILING FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 12C THE ORGANIZATION'S CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY IS REGULARLY AND CONSISTENTLY MONITORED AND ENFORCED USING PROCEDURES SUCH AS THE FOLLOWING: NEW CASE MEMOS ARE PROVIDED FOR BOARD APPROVAL, ALL PARTIES INVOLVED ARE DISCLOSED, CASES ARE CONTINUALLY UPDATED FOR BOARD REVIEW, BOARD MEMBERS ARE REQUIRED TO READ AND SIGN THE CONFLICTS POLICY ANNUALLY. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 15A THE BOARD HAS IN PLACE A POLICY FOR DETERMINING THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR'S COMPENSATION. THIS PROCESS INCLUDES A REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE COMPENSATION BY THE BOARD'S GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE. COMPENSATION DATA FOR COMPARABLE POSITIONS AT SIMILAR ORGANIZATIONS IS USED IN THIS PROCESS. THE DECISION REGARDING THE COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENT IS DOCUMENTED. FORM 990, PAGE 6, PART VI, LINE 19 NO OTHER DOCUMENTS ARE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC. FORM 990, PART VIII THE ORGANIZATION SOUGHT AND RECOVERED ATTORNEYS' FEES FROM JANUARY 1, 2025 TO DECEMBER 31, 2025. BELOW ARE CASES LITIGATED OR IN LITIGATION. - INTERVENTION IN SUPPORT OF DENIAL OF A CRITICAL AREA PERMIT FOR A VEHICULAR BRIDGE TO A MARSH ISLAND IN CHARLESTON COUNTY WITHIN THE ACE BASIN BOUNDARIES (ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT) - BEACHED HOUSES ON HARBOR ISLAND, COMPLAINT ALLEGING VIOLATIONS OF THE PUBLIC WATERS NUISANCE ABATEMENT ACT (CIRCUIT COURT, BEAUFORT COUNTY). - CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATIONS - UPSTATE FOREVER V. ALAN HENSON (DISTRICT COURT, GREENVILLE) - CHALLENGE TO DORCHESTER COUNTY'S CHANGES TO CONSERVATION ZONING REGULATION FOR COOKS CROSSROADS (CIRCUIT COURT, DORCHESTER COUNTY) - APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT'S DECISION ON EXPERIMENTAL USE OF GEOTUBES (AKA HUGE SANDBAGS) ON DEBIDUE BEACH (S.C. COURT OF APPEALS) - ACTION TO ENFORCE SETTLEMENT TERMS IN FAVOR OF HUGER RESIDENTS GROUP RELATING TO THE DONMAR SAND MINE (CIRCUIT COURT, BERKELEY COUNTY) - ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGE TO COASTAL ZONE CONSISTENCY FOR EDGE ROAD MINE IN HORRY COUNTY (ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT) - INTERVENTION IN SUPPORT OF EDGEFIELD COUNTY'S DENIAL OF TRESTLE RUN DEVELOPMENT (CIRCUIT COURT, EDGEFIELD COUNTY) - CHALLENGE TO EDGEFIELD COUNTY'S APPROVAL OF AN RV PARK DEVELOPMENT (CIRCUIT COURT, EDGEFIELD COUNTY) - DECLARATORY JUDGEMENT TO DETERMINE WHETHER PUBLIC TRUST BEACH CAN BE CONVERTED INTO PRIVATE PROPERTY THROUGH TAXPAYER-FUNDED RENOURISHMENT - FOLLY BEACH SUPERFRONT BEACH LOTS (CIRCUIT COURT, CHARLESTON COUNTY) - APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT'S DECISION ON CRITICAL AREA PERMIT, COASTAL ZONING CONSISTENCY AND WATER QUALITY CERTIFICATIONS ALLOWING THE FILLING OF GADSDEN CREEK IN CHARLESTON COUNTY (S.C. SUPREME COURT) - ACTION TO ENFORCE THE TERMS OF A DEVELOPMENT AGREEMENT RELATED TO REAL PROPERTY KNOWN AS CAPTAIN SAMS SPIT (CIRCUIT COURT, CHARLESTON COUNTY) - INTERVENTION IN SUPPORT OF ADMINISTRATIVE DETERMINATION OF JURISDICTIONAL LINES ON CAPTAIN SAMS SPIT (S.C. COURT OF APPEALS) - APPEAL OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT'S DECISION ON CONFINED ANIMAL FEEDING OPERATIONS (POULTRY) PERMIT IN LAURENS COUNTY (S.C. COURT OF APPEALS) - INTERVENTION IN SUPPORT OF CHARLESTON COUNTY'S DENIAL OF SAND MINE PERMIT IN MCCLELLANVILLE (CIRCUIT COURT, CHARLESTON COUNTY) - INTERVENTION IN SUPPORT OF BEAUFORT COUNTY'S LAND USE DECISION OVER PINE ISLAND DEVELOPMENT (CIRCUIT COURT, BEAUFORT COUNTY) - INTERVENTION AGAINST A TAKINGS ACTION BY THE PINE ISLAND DEVELOPER TO VOID THE CULTURAL PROTECTION ZONING OVERLAY (DISTRICT COURT, CHARLESTON) - ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGE TO A LANDFILL PERMIT FOR A CLASS 2 LANDFILL LOCATED IN THE SMALL COMMUNITY OF BEECH ISLAND, AIKEN COUNTY (ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT) - APPEAL OF CIRCUIT COURT'S DECISION TO UPHOLD APPROVAL OF RIVER PRESERVE DEVELOPMENT IN GREENVILLE COUNTY (S.C. COURT OF APPEALS) - INTERVENTION IN SUPPORT OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES' ENFORCEMENT ACTIONS WITH RESPECT TO AN UNPERMITTED SEAWALL ON ISLE OF PALMS (ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT) - DECLARATORY JUDGMENT ACTION TO DEMAND REVIEW OF ALL SEPTIC SYSTEMS PERMITS FOR CONSISTENCY WITH THE STATE'S COASTAL MANAGEMENT PROGRAM (CIRCUIT COURT, CHARLESTON COUNTY) - NEPA COMPLAINT ASKING THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY TO CONDUCT A PROGRAMMATIC ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW FOR THE PROPOSED PLUTONIOM PIT PRODUCTION AT THE SAVANNAH RIVER SITE (FEES RECEIVED: 139,000) (DISTRICT COURT, AIKEN) - APPEAL OF CIRCUIT COURT'S DECISION TO UPHOLD FINAL PLAT APPROVAL IN TEN MILE HISTORIC DISTRICT (S.C. COURT OF APPEALS) - APPEAL OF CIRCUIT COURT'S DECISION TO UPHOLD SEPTIC TANK PERMITS FOR THE WHITE TRACT IN CHARLESTON COUNTY (S.C. COURT OF APPEALS) - ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGE TO GENERAL PERMIT FOR STORMWATER DISCHARGES AND COASTAL ZONE CONSISTENCY DETERMINATION FOR WHITE TRACT PHASE 1A IN CHARLESTON COUNTY (ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT). - ADMINISTRATIVE CHALLENGE TO COMPOSTING PERMIT IN WILLIAMSBURG COUNTY (ADMINISTRATIVE LAW COURT). FORM 990, PART XI, LINE 9 FUNDRAISING REVENUES ARE SHOWN NET OF EXPENSES ON THE 990 0 BUT ARE SHOWN SEPARATELY ON THE AUDITED FINANCIAL 0 STATEMENTS. DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES WERE 51,035. 51,035 FUNDRAISING REVENUES ARE SHOWN NET OF EXPENSES ON THE 990 0 BUT ARE SHOWN SEPARATELY ON THE AUDITED FINANCIAL 0 STATEMENTS. DIRECT FUNDRAISING EXPENSES WERE 51,035. -51,035