Solid Waste Management: Collection, Temporary Storage and Transportation of Solid Waste
SCDES Seeking Submissions for Annual Coastal Photography Contest
Photographers of all levels encouraged to send favorite photos of SC coast, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 1, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services's (SCDES) Bureau of Coastal Management is currently accepting submissions for its annual Coastal Photography Contest. Photographers of all levels are encouraged to enter their photographs of the South Carolina coast for a chance to be featured on SCDES’s 2026 Tide Tables Poster. “Our…, said Chris Stout, Chief of the Bureau of Coastal Management., “We always look forward to seeing the photographs of South Carolina’s beautiful coast and beaches that are shared with us.” Last year’s winner was "An Evening in the Boneyard" by Raymond Murray, featuring a photo of Hunting Island in Beaufort. The 2025 Tide Table and previous years’ photo contest winners are available at des.sc.gov/coastalphoto. Eligible photographs should feature coastal…Draft Embed
SCDES Encourages Students to Submit Entries for Annual Radon Poster Contest
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 11, 2025 (COLUMBIA, S.C.) — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is seeking entries for its annual Radon Poster Contest, which spotlights the potential dangers of radon gas. Radon is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas produced by the natural breakdown of uranium in soil, rock, and water. It can enter homes through cracks and holes in…SCDES Issues Short-Term Swimming Advisory for Section of Beach on Sullivans Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 6, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — A section of beach along South Carolina's coast has been placed under a, short-term swimming advisory, , the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reports today., The advisory is for water at Sullivans Island near the access point at Station 18 & ½ (TRI-059) in Charleston County. This swimming advisory is not a beach closing, nor does this advisory affect the entire beach., Bacteria levels that are above state and federal standards have been detected in this area of water, and swimming is not advised in the area until bacteria levels return to normal. It’s safe to wade, collect shells and fish within this swimming advisory area. However, it’s advised that people entering the water in this area refrain from swallowing it, and that people with open wounds or…, des.sc.gov/beachmonitoring, for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local SCDES office: Myrtle Beach , 843-238-4378, Charleston , 843-953-0150, Beaufort , 843-846-1030, ###SCDES Lifts Short-Term Swim Advisory for Section of Beach on Sullivans Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 7, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — A section of beach along South Carolina's coast is, no longer under a swim advisory,, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reported today. , The affected area was near the access point at Station 18 & ½ (TRI-059) in Charleston County. Bacteria levels have returned to normal. , SCDES routinely collects water samples at more than 120 locations along South Carolina's beaches to monitor bacteria levels. Please visit, des.sc.gov/beachmonitoring, for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local SCDES office: Myrtle Beach , 843-238-4378, Charleston , 843-953-0150, Beaufort , 843-846-1030, ###*ePermitting draft*
Luck Stone Cherokee Quarry Public Meeting & Hearing
SCDES will hold a combination public meeting and public hearing on the proposed, Cherokee Quarry, on September 18, 2025, at the Institute of Innovation in Gaffney, SC. The public meeting will be held from 6:00 – 7:00 PM. The public hearing will be held immediately thereafter., The public meeting is informal and provides an opportunity for participants to have a discussion with SCDES staff about the proposed quarry and environmental permitting process prior to giving comments at the public hearing. The meeting will include SCDES presentations about the mine permit application and draft air permit. Staff from SCDES’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management, Bureau of Air…SCDES Issues Short-Term Swimming Advisory for Section of Beach on Edisto Island
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 14, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — A section of beach along South Carolina's coast has been placed under a , short-term swimming advisory, , the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) reports today. , The advisory is for water at Edisto Beach near the access points at Ebbtide Street (LC-081) and Bay Point (LC-082) in Colleton County. This swimming advisory is not a beach closing, nor does this advisory affect the entire beach. , Bacteria levels above state and federal standards have been detected in these areas of water, and swimming is not advised in the area until bacteria levels return to normal. It’s safe to wade, collect shells and fish within this swimming advisory areas. However, it’s advised that people entering the water in this area refrain from swallowing it, and that people with open wounds or compromised…, enterococci, bacteria, which are naturally found in warm-blooded animals, including humans. However, high levels of, enterococci, bacteria in water indicates the potential risk for other organisms that may cause disease in humans, such as gastrointestinal illness or skin infections. This advisory only affects the areas noted above. Short-term swimming advisories typically last just a few days and are lifted once follow-up water sampling shows bacteria levels have returned to normal. SCDES routinely collects water samples…, des.sc.gov/beachmonitoring, for more information and to view recent water sampling results along the coast. For more information, call your local SCDES office: • Myrtle Beach , 843-238-4378, • Charleston , 843-953-0150, • Beaufort , 843-846-1030, ###Stay Off the Dunes: Protecting South Carolina’s Natural Barrier
South Carolina’s sand dunes aren’t just scenic—they’re essential. These dynamic natural features serve as our first line of defense against coastal storms and erosion, helping protect inland ecosystems, homes and infrastructure. That’s why the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES), in partnership with local municipalities and conservation organizations, launched the Keep…, MyCoast South Carolina, , an interactive platform that collects and analyzes photos and data related to coastal events. This public portal helps SCDES, and its partners better understand and respond to challenges affecting our coast. Through MyCoast.org/SC, you can contribute to several reporting tools:, King Tides, – Document unusually high tides and flooding, Storm Witness, – Share photos of post-storm conditions and debris, Boats & Buoys, , – Report misplaced or damaged marine equipment, Adopt-A-Beach, – Record beach litter and cleanup efforts By submitting photos and reports, you’re helping SCDES visualize the real-time impact of coastal hazards and enhance awareness among decision-makers, researchers and stakeholders. These insights support smarter planning, resilience and protection for our coast.