Menu
Open Search

Manning Quarry Public Meeting & Hearing

SCDES will hold a combination public meeting and public hearing on March 19, 2026 to accept oral and written comments on the proposed Manning Quarry. The public meeting will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 PM, with the public hearing beginning at 7:00 PM. Sign-in and an opportunity to meet SCDES staff will begin at 5:30 PM. These events will take place at the Jones Center at Columbia International University located at 7435 Monticello Road in Columbia, SC. Additional information about these events is available below. 

Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg LLC has applied to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) for a permit to mine granite at a site located at 7900 Monticello Road in Richland County, approximately 6.5 miles northwest of Columbia, SC. A proposed reclamation plan to restore the site to grasslands, woodlands and a lake/pond has been submitted with the application.  

This webpage has been developed by SCDES as a community resource and will be updated as new information is made available. Please bring this webpage to the attention of others you know who may be interested.

Mining

SCDES’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received an application for a mine operating permit for the proposed Manning Quarry on July 9, 2025. The BLWM provided notice of the application to The State newspaper and began accepting comments on February 11, 2026. Additionally, the public notice was mailed or emailed to adjacent landowners, local and state government/regulatory agencies, and other interested parties.  

The mine permit application, reclamation plan, maps, and other related documents are available below.  

Questions about the proposed Manning Quarry application and the BLWM’s mine permitting process may be directed to:

Colby Myers
Project Manager, Mining and Reclamation Section 
Phone: (803) 898-3079 
Email: colby.myers@des.sc.gov  

Water Quality

SCDES’s Bureau of Water (BOW) issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to minimize environmental impacts from stormwater runoff and other water discharges that may occur during construction and operation of a facility.

Coverage under NPDES General Permit SCG730000 “Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities” is required for Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg LLC/Manning Quarry in conjunction with a mine operating permit. The general permit coverage addresses water quality issues of stormwater and wastewater discharged from the site. 

The BOW received a Notice of Intent (NOI) for a new coverage under SCG730000 for the Manning Quarry on July 9, 2025.

Documents related to the BOW’s NPDES permitting process are available below:

Questions about the NPDES general permit coverage and the BOW’s permitting process may be directed to:

Brett Caswell 
Phone: (803) 898-4396 
Email: Brett.Caswell@des.sc.gov 

Air Quality

An air quality construction permit is required for any entity that plans to construct, alter, or add to a source of air pollution, including the installation of any air pollution control device. The permit must be issued before any construction-related activities occur at the site. If issued, the permit allows for the installation, modification, and start of operation of equipment.  

On October 21, 2025, Heidelberg Materials Southeast Agg LLC applied to Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) for an air quality construction permit for the proposed granite mine and processing plant near Columbia, SC.

The BAQ has completed a technical review of the application. The technical review included reviewing emission calculations, performing a regulatory review, conducting an ambient air quality analysis, and verifying that the proposed project can meet all applicable air quality regulations if constructed and operated as proposed in the air permit application. Once the technical review was completed, a draft air construction permit containing all applicable emission limitations and requirements was placed on public notice on February 5, 2026. The BAQ accept comments on the draft air construction permit through March 24, 2026.

The public notice, along with the draft construction permit (containing all applicable emission limitations and requirements), draft statement of basis, and permit application are available below.  

Impact of Public Comments on SCDES’s Permitting Process  

SCDES values all comments made during the public comment period. Local community members provide a unique perspective and are valuable resources in addressing community concerns in the permitting process.  Becoming better informed is an important first step in providing effective public comments that may influence specific terms and conditions that must be followed by the owner/operator if a permit is issued.

Effective comments are those that provide accurate, specific details about the site of a proposed project, inaccuracies in the permit application, errors in SCDES’s technical review or draft permit, and any other information demonstrating that a proposed project cannot operate in compliance with environmental regulations.    

It is important to know that SCDES cannot make a permit decision based on a vote or how many comments are received. There are also some common issues/comments related to mining operations that SCDES does not have the regulatory or legal authority to consider when making a permit decision, for example:    

  • Truck traffic, access to public roads, weight limits, and traffic patterns are governed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) and the local county.  
  • Industrial development and operating hours are governed by the local county through zoning and land use planning.  

Beginning a conversation early about these and other quality of life issues is an effective way for communities to work together with local government officials, their legislative delegation, mining representatives, and other interested parties to find solutions and reach common goals.  

Stay Connected - Community Engagement and Resources

SCDES is committed to providing meaningful opportunities to hear the questions and concerns of community members and share information on our permitting processes. SCDES offers multiple ways to connect with our staff during the permitting process and beyond, including:

  • Calling or connecting with SCDES staff to discuss the proposed Manning Quarry one-on-one.
  • Submitting a written comment or question.
  • Receiving additional information by email or mail.
  • Visiting this webpage for information and updates.
  • Stay informed about local mining issues in your community.

SCDES encourages residents to ask questions and share information with us. Staying engaged in our process helps us to learn more about your community.  

Questions about community engagement in SCDES’s permitting process may be directed to:

Donna Moye 
Phone: (803) 898-1382 
Email: Donna.Moye@des.sc.gov