The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) maintains public records that are available for review, upon request, in accordance with the state's Freedom of Information Act (“FOIA”).
SCDES follows the FOIA Policies and Procedures and the Family Privacy Protection policy when reviewing and fulfilling requests for copies of records.
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Frequently Asked Questions
All requests must be submitted in writing. Identify or describe the specific records you are requesting to help our staff efficiently search. Overly broad or vague requests may make it difficult for staff to respond in a timely manner, or to search for or produce records at the lowest possible cost to you. The scope of requests may be narrowed by subject, date, or custodian to help ensure that searches are tailored to the specific records sought and do not yield irrelevant information.
We offer multiple ways to submit your written request. We recommend the online option because it is the fastest option for you to submit and us to process your request.
| Online Fastest option. Your request is in our system and ready to be assigned to staff. | Email Staff transfers the information from your submitted form into our online system. This two-step process takes longer. | Fax Staff transfers the information from your submitted form into our online system. This two-step process takes longer. | Mail Staff transfers the information from your submitted form into our online system. This two-step process takes longer. |
| Complete and submit form. | Download, complete, and attach form (pdf) to an email. Send to foi@dec.sc.gov. | Download, complete, print, and send form (pdf) to 803-898-3816. | Download, complete, print, and send form (pdf) to:
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South Carolina law prohibits obtaining or using public records for commercial solicitation directed to any person in this State and provides penalties for noncompliance. S.C. Code Ann. § 30-2-50.
The cost you may pay will vary depending on the type of records you are requesting. However, our fees, effective May 15, 2018, are listed below.
| Fee Schedule | ||
|---|---|---|
| Search fee | $23/hour | |
| Redaction fee | $23/hour | |
| Scanning paper files fee | $23/hour | |
| Download electronic files fee | $23/hour | |
| Provide paper copies | ≤ 25 pages | Free |
| ≥ 26 pages | $.10/page | |
| Off-site/archive retrieval fee | $15/ box | |
If we cannot email you the requested information due to file size, you can request the options listed on the right. | CD | $2 each |
| USB 8 GB | $4.42 each | |
| USB 16 GB | $5.10 each | |
| USB 32 GB | $7.14 each | |
Under South Carolina law, the Office is authorized to furnish records when appropriate either without charge or at a reduced charge if it determines that waiving or reducing the applicable fees is in the public interest because producing the records under the circumstances primarily benefits the general public.
In some cases, the Office may require a partial deposit from the requesting party prior to searching for or making copies of records. If a deposit is required prior to searching for or producing any responsive records, the records will be furnished or made available within either 30 or 35 calendar days of receipt of the deposit, depending on the age of the documents or records requested. The full amount of the total cost must be paid by the requesting party when the records are produced.
The Office will notify the requesting party of its determination and the reasons for such determination within either 10 or 20 working days of receiving the request, depending on the age of the records requested. Working days do not include Saturdays, Sundays, or legal public holidays.
The Office does not guarantee that a search will yield any responsive records. If the requested records exist and are available for public disclosure, the Office will coordinate with appropriate staff to arrange for the retrieval and review. Unless a deposit is required prior to searching for or reproducing responsive records, the records generally will be furnished or made available for inspection or copying within either 30 or 35 calendar days of the determination of the request, depending on the age of the records requested.
All FOIA requests will be processed in a manner designed to ensure open access, accountability, and a timely response to the public. Because some of the requested records could potentially implicate or involve sensitive economic development or law enforcement activities, ongoing litigation, or confidential matters that are otherwise protected or exempt from disclosure under state or federal law, FOIA requests are coordinated through legal counsel.
Freedom of Information Office
803-898-3882
foi@des.sc.gov