Permit Central Rock Hill Workshop
During this Permit Central Rock Hill Workshop, engineers, developers, elected officials, local government agencies, and other stakeholders can receive important information about the agency's continuous improvements to its environmental permitting processes., Myra Reece, SCDES Director, and Dr. Edward A. Serna, President of Winthrop University,, will welcome attendees before introducing SCDES staff to discuss successes in permitting process enhancements and the ongoing efforts that are contributing to reduced timeframes for issuing environmental permits. This will be SCDES's fifth Permit Central workshop, all of which are geared toward providing an opportunity for project developers and environmental permit applicants to directly…, des.sc.gov/permitcentral, .Pinewood Site
Creation of the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) On July 1, 2024, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) became two separate agencies — the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and the S.C. Department of Public Health (DPH). All of DHEC’s environmental programs and policies prior to July 1, 2024, have been transferred to…, Although the site no longer accepts hazardous waste, environmental permits are required for ongoing monitoring, sampling, and cleanup of historic contamination., In 2003, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) and Safety-Kleen reached a settlement agreement which established the Pinewood Site Custodial Trust (PSCT), holding the site in trust for the benefit and protection of the people of South Carolina. The settlement agreement required the following: Transfer of the Pinewood Site, equipment, permits, and other site…, A comprehensive overview with additional historical information and updates concerning the Pinewood Site can also be found at, Pinewood Trustee, Inc, ., Please bring these webpages to the attention of others you know who may be interested in learning more about the Pinewood Site. Site History The Pinewood Site operated as a claystone mine from 1972 until 1978. It operated as a hazardous waste landfill site after the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) became law in 1980. The Pinewood Site received hazardous and non-hazardous waste which…, Final RCRA Hazardous Waste Permit for the Pinewood Site, – May 13, 2025 SCDES appreciates the interest, engagement, and comments received from all concerned citizens and other stakeholders during the environmental permitting process for the Pinewood Site. Additional Information Questions about the BLWM’s hazardous waste permitting process may be directed to: Joe Bowers Phone: (803) 898-0247 Email: joe.bowers@des.sc.gov Stay Connected - Community…Pinewood Site - Community Involvement
This webpage is no longer maintained. It may be useful as background information or to provide a historical perspective on a topic or project. , SCDES encourages residents to be involved in environmental issues affecting their communities. This can be done by reviewing information, asking questions, offering comments and attending meetings. We appreciate the unique perspective that local residents are able to provide concerning the areas where they live, work, and enjoy the outdoors. DHEC has held multiple public meetings and hearings in…, an overview of the proposed on-site leachate treatment system and an update on the hazardous waste permit renewal, ; Presented, an overview of the draft air permit for the proposed on-site leachate treatment system, ; Presented a, diagram, of the proposed on-site leachate treatment system; Provided a, handout, that included a map of the Pinewood Site and highlights from the meeting; and Answered questions from community members. After the public meeting, a formal public hearing was held for citizens to give oral and written comments on the draft air permit for the public record. A community meeting was held on Thursday, September 8, 2011 at Furman Middle School. At this meeting, DHEC staff discussed:…, brief presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session. DHEC staff also provided a, fact sheet, about the Pinewood Site. At the meeting, some residents expressed concerns regarding cancer rates in Pinewood, SC. In response to these concerns, DHEC conducted a cancer assessment for ZIP code 29125 using the most recent 5-year period of available data (2004-2008). The results of this analysis indicated that slightly more deaths resulted from all cancers combined than were expected during this…, DHEC Summary of Cancer Incidence and Mortality for ZIP Code 29125 (Pinewood, SC), ., Sign Up for Updates, To ask questions about the Pinewood Site, please contact David Scaturo by phone at 803-898-0290 or by email at, scaturdm@dhec.sc.gov, .Pinewood Site - History
This webpage is no longer maintained. It may be useful as background information or to provide a historical perspective on a topic or project. , The Pinewood Site operated as a claystone mine from 1972 to 1978. In 1978, it began operating as a landfill. After November 1980, it operated as a hazardous waste site when South Carolina's hazardous waste regulations became effective. The Pinewood Site received hazardous and nonhazardous waste until 2000 when site closure began. All landfill cells have since been closed and capped. The site will…, What is Leachate?, Water that collects contaminants as it drips through waste in a landfill. Typically contains 90% water and 10% contaminants. Includes solid particles such as sand. Leachate is, not, contaminated groundwater. Leachate must be pumped out of the landfill to prevent overfill. A, Leachate Collection System, collects the leachate and pumps it out., New Leachate Management, Leachate generated by the landfill requires collection, storage and disposal. Leachate is currently collected, filtered and stored in an area on-site prior to being shipped by truck to out-of-state treatment facilities for disposal. Alternate disposal options must now be considered due to changes in the makeup of the leachate over time and the limited availability of out-of-state treatment and…, Proposed Leachate Management, Alternate disposal options considered included off-site disposal and on-site treatment. After evaluating the technical and economical issues of each option, DHEC believes that the best option will be to treat the leachate on-site using an evaporator (like boiling water) and trucking the residual solids out-of-state for disposal. This treatment and disposal option will require changes in the, current hazardous waste permit and a new air permit, for the site. DHEC will be accepting comments on both permits once they are drafted., Groundwater Monitoring, Groundwater monitoring is conducted on a routine basis around the closed landfill cells to determine groundwater quality. No releases from the landfill cells have been detected in the groundwater. Stormwater is collected and discharged in accordance with Pinewood's current National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit., Completed Improvement Projects, Beginning in 2009, the Pinewood Site underwent several improvement projects, including: Stormwater management updates. Power system and electrical upgrades. Updated computer control system for monitoring leachate. Leachate storage upgrades.Pinewood Site - Permitting
This webpage is no longer maintained. It may be useful as background information or to provide a historical perspective on a topic or project. , Air Quality, Construction and operation of a new on-site leachate treatment system has been approved. The construction permit was issued on May 23, 2012. The leachate treatment system will consist of metals precipitation, a filter press, an evaporator, and sludge and slurry dryers. Construction of the on-site leachate collection and treatment system will take 6-9 months. The procedure for appealing a permit…, here, ., Department Decision, - Summary of decision, Permit, - Conditions for constructing and operating the facility, Statement of Basis, - Summary of the project and its emissions, and explanation of regulatory applicability, Response to Comments, - DHEC's written response to comments received during the public comment period, Transcript, - Verbatim record of public hearing, Written Comments, - Letters and e-mails received during public comment period, Air Permit Application for Leachate Treatment System, - January 10, 2012, Revised Application for Leachate Treatment System, - February 24, 2012, Additional Correspondence, - February 14 - March 27, 2012Pinewood Site – Reports
This webpage is no longer maintained. It may be useful as background information or to provide a historical perspective on a topic or project. , Pinewood Site - Reports, 2017 Third Quarter Detection Monitoring Program Report (November 2017), 2017 Second Quarter Water Table Corrective Measures Implementation Report (July 2017), Haley & Aldrich, Inc. - Analysis of Post-Closure Operations (April 2015), Soil Gas Monitoring Pinewood Landfill Sections I, IIA and IIB (June 2013), Addendum to Baseline Water Quality Technical Memorandum (June 2013), Baseline Water Quality Technical Memorandum (April 2013), Hydrologic Monitoring Technical Memorandum (March 2013), Draft 2010 Pinewood Site Improvement Projects - Volume 1 - Project 1: Evaluation of Section I Cover System & Project 2: Evaluation of Section I Stormwater Management System (February 2011) - Final, Draft 2010 Pinewood Site Improvement Projects - Volume 3 - Report of Project 3 Element 2: Review, Enhancement and Optimization of Environmental Monitoring Systems (March 2011) - Final, Draft 2010 Pinewood Site Improvement Projects - Volume 3 - Report of Project 3 Element 2: Review, Enhancement and Optimization of Environmental Monitoring Systems (March 2011) - Appendices, Golder Associates, Inc. - Groundwater Flow Evaluation from Critical Elements Analysis (May 2007), Golder Associates, Inc. - Critical Elements Analysis (April 2007)Pinewood Site – Request for Information (RFI)
This webpage is no longer maintained. It may be useful as background information or to provide a historical perspective on a topic or project. , Pinewood Site - Request for Proposal (RFP), DHEC has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for services as Trustee of the Pinewood Site Custodial Trust. The purpose of the RFP is for DHEC to obtain proposals from vendors to accept and perform such duties, obligations and requirements as set forth in the Pinewood Site Custodial Trust Agreement. The Trustee is to function for the benefit of DHEC, and for the public purpose of maintaining the…, Questions must be received by December 11, 2015/2:30 p.m. ET., An award will be posted on March 2016. For details about the RFP and other related documents, please see the following:, http://webprod.cio.sc.gov/SCSolicitationWeb/contractSearch.do?solicitnumber=5400010553SCDES Reopens Shellfish Harvesting Beds in Georgetown County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 22, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C., ―, The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has reopened shellfish harvesting beds in Georgetown County that were previously closed due to excessive rainfall, the agency announced today. "Water quality data indicate that bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting in Shellfish Management Area 05, which includes North Inlet and Winyah Bay,", said Mike Marshall, manager of SCDES's Shellfish Sanitation Section., For more information on clam and oyster harvesting areas in Georgetown County, call SCDES’s Myrtle Beach Environmental Affairs Office at 843-238-4378 . Learn more about SCDES's Shellfish Sanitation Program at des.sc.gov/shellfish. ###SCDES Seeks Public’s Help in Reporting Invasive Giant Salvinia Plant in Lake Wateree
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 22, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is seeking the public’s assistance in reporting sightings of the invasive giant salvinia (, Salvinia molesta, ) plant that’s been identified in Lake Wateree, which is located in Fairfield, Kershaw and Richland counties. Because of its destructive impact on aquatic ecosystems and interference with boating, fishing and recreation, giant salvinia is prohibited in the United States by federal law. Giant salvinia is an invasive floating fern originating from Brazil. South Carolina waterways, especially in…, Anyone who believes they've located the plant should contact SCDES’s Aquatic Nuisance Plants Program:, , Email:, invasiveweeds@des.sc.gov, , Phone: 803-898-0033, , Or , click here, to submit an online sighting report, Picture , Left: Giant salvinia, the small floating plants, is pictured mixed with cutgrass. Photo courtesy of Duke Energy. Right: A mature giant salvinia plant with a salvinia weevil is pictured. Photo courtesy of Santee Cooper., SCDES’s Aquatic Nuisance Plant Program is working closely with Duke Energy, which manages the lake, to eradicate this invasive plant from Lake Wateree as quickly as possible. To date, approximately 11 acres of giant salvinia have been identified in and around the cove on the north side of Lake Wateree State Park. For additional information about SCDES’s role with protecting South Carolina…Draft Santee River Basin Plan Public Meeting
The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) invites residents to attend an upcoming meeting to review and provide comments about the draft Santee River Basin Plan . The draft plan was developed over a 10-month period by the Santee River Basin Council, a working group of stakeholders with water interests in the basin, under the guidance of the South Carolina State Water Planning…, The public meeting is 5:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Auditorium at Santee Cooper’s Main Office, 1 Riverwood Drive, Moncks Corner, SC. (, Directions via Google Maps, ). , The Nov. 18 public meeting will serve as a venue for presenting the draft plan to the basin’s stakeholders and for soliciting comments about it. Public comments will be accepted from Nov. 18 through Dec. 17; comment submission instructions are at the website noted above. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to meet River Basin Council members and enjoy light refreshments beginning at 5:30 p.m.