COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- It looks like there is a solution to a dispute over a community's plans to protect the beach in Georgetown County.

The State newspaper reported Thursday that the agreement involves the University of South Carolina's Baruch marine research center and Debordieu Colony.

The beach community's board has voted to drop plans to build three large walls in the surf to trap sand to protect the million dollar homes.

Scientists said the walls would hamper research at their lab next to the community.

The plan still needs court approval.

The South Carolina Coastal Conservation League and the Sierra Club and the Baruch Foundation had challenged the building plans.

The community does plan to pump sand onto the shore to protect the homes, which has environmental officials support.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)