Dam Owner Resources
To promote teamwork between state regulators and dam owners, the Dam Safety Program would like to ensure that high-quality educational resources are available to everyone interested in dams and dam safety. The program hosts occasional workshops and technical training sessions for dam owners and engineers and has partnered with other dam safety organizations to provide resources to assist those…, Dam Owner Newsletters and Information Bulletins, Please find below an archive of the Dam Safety Program's annual newsletters and periodic technical bulletins for dam owners. These documents cover a range of topics from suggested maintenance items, changes in the dam safety program, contacts for regional dam safety engineers, and much more. August 2025 Dams Newsletter June 2024 Dams Newsletter June 2023 Dams Newsletter June 2022 Dams Newsletter…, Dam Owner Workshop, In November of 2018, the Dam Safety Program partnered with the Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) to host and produce a Dam Owner’s Workshop specifically tailored towards South Carolina dams and dam owners. Sessions were recorded and have been uploaded for easy viewing on the SCDES YouTube channel. The recorded sections this Workshop covered are below. Each link will take you to a…, Clemson Extension Dam Owners Course, The Dam Safety Program partnered with the Clemson Extension, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Clemson Online to develop 'Dam Ownership in SC' , a free, six-week self paced online class to assist dam owners in learning the basics of dams and how to inspect, maintain, and repair them. It is designed to be useful to the owners of dams regulated by the state Dam Safety Program…, ASDSO Dam Owners Academy Courses, The Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO) has just launched a Dam Owners Academy, which offers free-of-charge, web-based, self-paced training courses about the basics of dam awareness, operations, and maintenance, created specifically for a non-engineering audience. ASDSO is a national organization devoted to lowering the risk of dam failures through education, support for state dam…, 'Dams & Inundations' App, The Dam Safety Program and SCDES Geographic Information System (GIS) staff jointly developed a Dams & Inundations App displaying all regulated dams and potentially inundated areas in the event of dam failure. This application is available to the public and is used by the Dam Safety Program and emergency management officials during dam emergencies to quickly locate and assess potential…, Guidance for Homeowners/Property Owners Associations That Are Dam Owners, The Dam Safety Program partnered with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to develop a targeted educational and training course for South Carolina Homeowner/Property Owners Associations that own dams. This course was created because of the unique difficulties these organizations have faced in repairing and rebuilding their dams after frequent recent major storm events. This online…, Association of State Dam Safety Officials (ASDSO), The Association of State Dam Safety Officials partners with state dam safety programs with the mission of “improving the condition and safety of dams through education, support of state programs, and fostering a unified dam safety community.” ASDSO provides a resource library that to the public free of charge that can be accessed at the ASDSO Resource Center for Dam Owners . Information is…, Recommended Resources, Trees & Brush on Dams Grass & Ground Cover for Earthen Dams Causes of Failure in Earthen Dams How to Procure the Services of an Engineer The ASDSO YouTube Channel also has many free and informational videos on a variety of topics Instructional Video on how to install a temporary siphon, Other Resources, FEMA Dam Safety Awareness Page FEMA – Pocket Safety Guide for Dams and Impoundments ASDSO & FEMA – Living Near DamsSouth Carolina Dock Stakeholder Workgroup
Marine Debris
Marine debris is any solid, man-made product or material that ends up in our coastal environments. These materials may be deliberately or accidentally released. In either case, marine debris negatively impacts the environment, wildlife, economies, and human health and safety. Marine debris doesn't always originate on the coast. Storm drains and waterways sweep litter from inland areas, like…, Plastics:, water bottles, toys, grocery bags, food wrappers, cigarette butts, and more., Microplastics:, very small (< 5mm in size) pieces of plastic that come from larger plastics breaking down, or materials like microfibers from synthetic clothing and microbeads used in some cosmetics., Derelict Fishing Gear:, nets, lines, crab pots, and other fishing equipment that has been lost, abandoned, or discarded., Abandoned and Derelict Vessels, Other:, glass bottles, metal cans, clothing, construction materials, balloons, and fireworks. plastic bag on beach Depending on the material, some debris can take years or even centuries to break down in ocean and coastal waters, while, plastic items may never fully degrade in the marine environment, ., Marine Debris Impacts, Ecosystems and Economies Marine animals, including endangered and commercially valuable species, die every year due to marine debris ingestion and entanglement. Sea turtles and dolphins may eat floating plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish. Bottle caps and other plastic fragments have been found in the stomachs of seabirds. Once ingested, plastic debris can cause suffocation, gastric…, contaminating our seafood, . Learn more about the potential health impacts of microplastics in seafood and current research on this topic from the, NOAA Marine Debris Program, ., What SCDES BCM is Doing, SCDES BCM is working to reduce marine debris through prevention and removal programs. Learn more about , Abandoned and Derelict Vessels, and report abandoned boats in coastal South Carolina by using SCDES’s, MyCoast South Carolina, application. Volunteer to help keep South Carolina beaches clean through the , Adopt-A-Beach, program and report your data in , MyCoast South Carolina, ., What You Can Do, Reduce the amount of plastic you take to the beach (bags, food wrappers, utensils, etc.). Choose reusable items like "green" grocery bags and water bottles, and limit single-use items. When you leave the beach take all toys, garbage, and recycling with you. Don't litter, and, recycle, whenever possible. If you smoke, please dispose of cigarette butts in a proper receptacle. Organize or participate in a local, beach cleanup, or river sweep., Recycle monofilament fishing line, ., Report or donate old crab traps to SCDNR, ., Report abandoned or derelict boats, .What Can I Recycle?
What Can I Recycle?, Recycling is simple and convenient in South Carolina. Each of the state's 46 counties has a residential recycling program. Overall, there are 60-plus curbside programs, nearly 600 drop-off centers, and more than 900 collection sites for do-it-yourself (DIY) oil changers. Almost all recycling programs accept aluminum and steel cans, plastic bottles, paper, and cardboard. The items listed below…, RecycleHereSC, for more information on recycling in your area.South Carolina's Attainment Status
South Carolina Recommends 2015 Ozone NAAQS 'Attainment' for the Entire State , On October 1, 2015, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amended the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for ozone. The federal agency did so after reviewing scientific evidence linking exposures to ambient ozone to adverse health and welfare. The EPA set the primary 8-hour standard at a level of 70 ppb. (This was based on the 3-year average of the annual fourth-highest daily…, South Carolina's Air Quality Improves, On April 30, 2004, the EPA designated and classified a portion of York County, South Carolina within the Rock Hill-Fort Mill area as a moderate nonattainment area for the 8-hour ozone NAAQS of 0.08 ppm set in 1997. This area is part of the larger Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill (Metrolina) nonattainment area . On August 31, 2007, DHEC submitted its state implementation plan (SIP) (later adjusted…, Rock Hill Area Redesignated as 'Attainment', 2008 Ozone NAAQS , On April 30, 2012, the EPA issued final area designations for the 2008 ozone NAAQS. (77 FR 30144) At that time, all of South Carolina was classified as unclassifiable/attainment with the exception of a portion of York County. Although the monitor in York County was meeting and continues to meet the standard, EPA included the eastern, urbanized area of York County in the Charlotte-Rock Hill, NC-…Ozone Boundaries
Ozone Standard: SC Boundary Designations, 2015 Ozone Standard Boundaries, November 16, 2017, The EPA published a Final Rule [, 82 FR 54232, ] in the Federal Register which designated all counties in South Carolina as “Attainment/Unclassifiable”, indicating that the entire state attained the 2015 Ozone NAAQS., September 30, 2016, The design value, or DV, is the metric that the EPA uses to determine if an area meets the NAAQS. In the case of ozone, the DV is defined as the three year average of the annual 4th highest daily maximum 8 hour average ozone concentration at each monitor in an area. The highest DV for an area is compared with the NAAQS. If the highest DV is higher than the NAAQS, currently 70 ppb, then the area…, here, ., October 1, 2015, The binding , Final Rule, was signed. The Final Rule sets 0.070 ppm (70 ppb) for both primary and secondary standards. For more information on the new ozone NAAQS see the, EPA's webpage, ., November 26, 2014, The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) completed the federally mandated 5-year review of the national ambient air quality standard (NAAQS) for ozone and , proposed , a revised ground-level ozone standard range of 0.065-0.070 parts per million (ppm)., 2008 Ozone Standard Boundaries, May 21, 2012, EPA published the implementation rule (77 FR 30160) for the 2008 ozone standard, , which included the area classifications approach, attainment deadlines and revocation of the 1997 ozone standard for transportation conformity purposes. The effective date of this rule is July 20, 2012., April 30, 2012, EPA has designated all of South Carolina as unclassifiable/attainment for the 2008 ozone standard, except for a portion of York County. Although the monitor in York County is meeting this standard, EPA included the eastern, urbanized area of York County in the Charlotte-Rock Hill, NC-SC nonattainment area because of its proximity to Charlotte. This is the same portion of York County that EPA…, Learn more about the EPA's attainment/nonattainment designations for South Carolina, ., February 29, 2012, DHEC responded to EPA's December 8, 2011, proposed boundary for the 2008 ozone standard., February 7, 2012, EPA proposed the implementation rule, for the 2008 ozone standard., December 20, 2011, EPA announced a public comment period, for its responses to states' and tribes' boundary recommendations for the 2008 ozone standard. On January 12, 2012,, EPA extended the comment period, deadline from January 19, 2012, to February 3, 2012., December 9, 2011, DHEC certified the ozone monitoring data for the 2011 Ozone Season, , further substantiating the, attainment recommendation for each county, of the entire State of South Carolina for the 2008 ozone standard., December 8, 2011, EPA responded to DHEC's October 11, 2011, boundary recommendation, for the 2008 ozone standard. EPA intends to modify DHEC's recommendation so that a portion of York County would be a part of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Salisbury, NC-SC nonattainment area. This is the same portion of York County that EPA designated nonattainment for the 1997 ozone standard., For more information, see EPA's website., October 11, 2011, DHEC submitted an amendment to the 2008 boundary recommendations, to EPA recommending all counties of the entire state be designated attainment., September 22, 2011, EPA announced that it will implement the 2008 ozone standard, . In this announcement, EPA discussed the designation process for the 2008 standard., January 19, 2010, EPA announced it was extending by one year the deadline, that it was extending by one year the deadline for promulgating designations for the 2008 ozone standard that were promulgated in March 2008. The new deadline was set for March 2011., September 16, 2009, EPA announced it would reconsider the 2008 ozone standard, ., July 12, 2009, DHEC submitted an, errata to the 2008 boundary recommendations, to EPA., March 12, 2009, Upon delegation of Governor Mark Sanford's authority, DHEC submitted, South Carolina's boundary recommendations for the 2008 ozone standard, to EPA., South Carolina 2008 Ozone Nonattainment Boundary Recommendations, Map of Boundary Recommendations, Previous Ozone Standards - History, 1997 8-Hour Ozone Standard, In 1997, EPA promulgated an 8-hour ozone standard to replace the 1-hour standard. EPA revised the standards to establish the more stringent 8-hour standard at a level of 0.08 ppm. This was done to reflect the latest understanding of the effects of ozone exposure and to provide public health protection with an adequate margin of safety., 1997 8-hour Ozone Early Action Compact (EAC) process, On July 14, 2000, in accordance with the requirements of Section 107 of the Clean Air Act, DHEC submitted initial boundary recommendations for the 1997 8-hour ozone standard. These were based upon 1997 through 1999 monitored ozone data. DHEC recommended that the boundaries of seven Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) be designated nonattainment areas. EPA then proposed changes,…, Additional Resources, Ozone Designations Process (EPA), National Ambient Air Quality Standards (EPA),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…What Not to Recycle: Recycling's Dirty Dozen
Wrong or improperly prepared items – called contamination – may seem recyclable but are unwanted in recycling markets. Contamination can place workers at risk, damage sorting equipment, lower the value of the material that can be recycled, and increase program costs. Here’s recycling’s Dirty Dozen – items that should, never, be placed in your recycling cart., (1) PLASTIC BAGS, Reuse, donate to food banks, or recycle at your local grocery store., (2) BAGGED RECYCLABLES, Place items loose in your recycling cart or bin., (3) LIQUIDS, Empty liquids from all recyclable containers., (4) FOOD, No food or recyclable containers with food residue. This includes greasy pizza boxes., (5) CLAMSHELLS, No clamshells or other plastic containers used to hold takeout food, berries, or lettuce., (6) ROPE-LIKE ITEMS, No string lights, water hoses, wire, or similar items., (7) SCRAP METAL, No pots and pans, silverware, bicycles, car parts, or plumbing leftovers. Donate these or take them to a convenience center or scrap yard., (8) BATTERIES, Batteries can cause fires or explode if not properly managed. Recycle rechargeable batteries at Best Buy, Lowe’s, Target, The Home Depot, and other retail outlets. Learn more at, Be Battery Smart, ., (9) HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS, Give products to someone who will use them. Check local program options (i.e., household hazardous waste events or programs) at, RecycleHereSC, or dispose of these items according to label instructions., (10) PLASTIC PACKAGING, No block foam, bubble wrap, peanuts, or shrink wrap., (11) PROPANE AND BUTANE CYLINDERS, Do not place these in household trash or recycling bins. Both pose dangers (e.g., fire, explosion) to workers and machinery in recycling facilities. Check, RecycleHereSC, to see if your program has a household hazardous waste program or an upcoming single-day event. Many retailers also accept these containers., (12) DIRTY DOZEN PLUS, No clothing, hangers, frozen food boxes, ice cream containers, toys, VHS tapes, CDs, ceramics, glassware, CFLs and other light bulbs, paint, motor oil, shoes, syringes, sharps and needles, or textiles. See Know Your Nos below for more items that DON’T belong in the bin. Always check to see what your local recycling program accepts. To find your program, visit, RecycleHereSC, . For more information on how to properly recycle or dispose of hard-to-manage items, click, here, ., Know Your No’s, It is essential to know the difference between recycling right and wrong. The table below lists items that should never end up in your recycling bin, but often do. Items that never go in your curbside recycling bin Batteries (household Pizza boxes (greasy) Batteries (lead-acid) Plastic bags Bubble wrap Polystyrene Christmas lights Rubber balls Coat hangers Scrap metal Chains Sharps (e.g., needles…South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award
South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award, The S.C. Environmental Awareness Award, now in its 33rd year, was established by the S.C. General Assembly during the 1992 legislative session to recognize outstanding contributions made toward the protection, conservation, and improvement of South Carolina’s natural resources. Each year the public is invited to submit nominations that are reviewed by an awards committee. Members of the awards…, Call for Nominations for 2025 Award - CLOSED, The state of South Carolina is seeking nominations for an award to recognize individuals who are doing extraordinary work for the natural environment. The nomination period is now closed. Nomination Guidelines Areas of accomplishment include, but are not limited to: Protection, conservation, or improvement of soil, water, or air Protection or conservation of native plants, animals, or their…, Previous Winners of the Environmental Awareness Award, 2024 – Kelly Thorvalson – South Carolina Aquarium 2023 – Elizabeth Vernon (E.V.) Bell – SC Sea Grant Consortium 2021 – Dr. James Frederick – Clemson University 2020 – Jane Hiller, Education Director, Sonoco Recycling (SC DNR) 2019 – Dr. Gloria McCutcheon, Claflin College (SC FC) 2018 – Dr. Patrick McMillan, Clemson University (SC Sea Grant) 2017 - Sean Poppy, Savannah River Ecology Lab (SC DHEC…Community Star