When I write and speak about stopping the fill of marshes, it is for two reasons: the safety of the people of Charleston as well as the health of the marshes, the nursery of our seafood. I grew up with a grandfather who had survived the earthquake of 1886. He made us very aware of what happened and what could happen again. Our home was made of wood and was on "high" ground. However, down the street houses were built on fill and collapsed.