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…BMP Handbook
The BMP Handbook is provided below as a complete download and as individual sections. This handbook evaluates numerous Best Management Practices (BMPs) by detailing BMP usage, installation, inspection, maintenance, and design specifications. The handbook also provides design aids that give guidance on how to determine trapping efficiencies of various Sediment Control BMPs. The proper use of BMPs…, Update: , The Department will be revising sections of the BMP Handbook on a section-by-section basis, and due to these revisions the full version of the manual has been taken down. All sections of the handbook are still available through the links provided below. , LIDs, Low Impact Development is a concept that addresses stormwater management at its source. The NPDES General Permit for Storm Water Discharges From Large and Small Construction Activities requires that areas disturbed by construction reach ", final stabilization, " before permit coverage can be terminated. The process towards, final stabilization, is typically initiated by applying topsoil or compost, planting a mix of grass and forbs seeds, and fertilizing areas of bare soil that resulted from construction activities disturbing these areas. These disturbed areas must establish a "permanent" cover of desirable vegetation that's at least 70% as dense as the pre-disturbed vegetative cover in order to be considered as reaching, final stabilization, . Stabilization measures, in general, should be initiated as soon as practicable in portions of the site where constructions activities have temporarily or permanently ceased. All disturbed areas should be stabilized within 14 days of when any construction activities have ceased., SCDES BMP Handbook, BMP Field Manual, (18.94 MB), List of Acronyms, Basic Design Procedures, Engineering Aids, Alternative BMPs, Innovative Technologies, IDEAL Model, Water Quality Control, BMP Construction Details (CAD), , (Revised March 2014), Appendix A - BMP Guidelines, Appendix B - BMP Selection Flowchart, Appendix C - Seeding Rate Tables, Appendix D - Wetland Vegetation, Appendix E - Soils, Appendix F - SC Rainfall Data, Appendix G - Erosion Control Standard Details, Appendix H - Sediment Control Standard Details, , (Revised March 2014), Appendix I - Runoff Control Standard Details, , (Revised March 2014), Appendix J - Water Quality Standard Details, Appendix K - Figures, Erosion Prevention BMPs, Erosion Prevention, Surface Roughening, Temporary Seeding, Mulching, Erosion Control Blankets, Turf Reinforcement Mats, Flexible Growth Media, Bonded Fiber Matrix, Permanent Seeding, Sodding, Riprap, Outlet Protection, Dust Control, Polyacrylamide (PAM), Sediment Control BMPs, Sediment Control, Sediment Basin, , (Revised March 2014), Sediment Trap, Silt Fence, Rock Checks, Sediment Tubes, Construction Entrance, Inlet Protection (IP), Filter Fabric IP, Sediment Tube IP, Wire Mesh and Stone IP, Block and Gravel IP, Rigid IP, Surface Course Curb IP, Inlet Tubes, Rock Sediment Dikes, Runoff Control and Conveyance BMPs, Runoff Control And Conveyance Measures, Pipe Slope Drains, Temporary Stream Crossing, Diversion Measures, Level Spreader, Subsurface Drains, Construction Dewatering, Low Impact Development (LID) BMPs, Vegetated Conveyance Swales, Stream Buffers, Disconnected Roof Tops, Cluster Development, Natural Infiltration, Structural Water Quality BMPs, Structural Controls, Wet Detention Ponds, Dry Detention Ponds, Underground Detention Systems, Storm Water Wetlands, Bioretention Areas, Infiltration Trench, Enhanced Dry Swales, Pre-fabricated Control Devices, Vegetated Filter Strips, Porous SurfacingComposting: Recycling Naturally
Composting Banner Composting is the slow, natural decomposition of organic material such as yard trimmings and food waste. Microorganisms break down this material into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch that can be used in yards, gardens, and potted plants. You can compost at home using the organics generated by you and your family. It’s a beneficial and inexpensive way to manage your…, Why compost?, Yard trimmings and food waste make up about 30 percent of what South Carolinians throw away every year. Composting at home diverts that material from the landfill and turns it into a valuable product. It can improve the soil, prevent erosion, and reduce the use of fertilizer, pesticides and water – saving you money – and help protect the environment by conserving resources., Need help? Have questions?, Composting at Home Backyard composting guide Residents have many home composting options, from vermicomposting projects to countertop food recyclers to backyard composting bins. Composting: Recycling Naturally is a guidebook that provides information on those options and simple steps for starting at home. Many local governments also offer workshops, often with opportunities to buy compost bins…Recycling & Waste Reduction
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
State Implementation Plan (SIP)
The State Implementation Plan (SIP) is developed to show how a state will meet the, National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS), for six common pollutants, called ", criteria pollutants, ," as set forth by the, Clean Air Act, . A SIP is the accumulated record of many documents that form a blueprint and timeline for the state's plans to assure compliance with the NAAQS for criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, lead, and particulate matter), as outlined in the Clean Air Act. SIPs include, among other things, control plans, regulations, inventories of emissions within the state,…, EPA's SIP webpage, . South Carolina's SIP includes the initial SIP, which was submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 1972, and the accumulated record of its amendments. These amendments, going back to 1973, along with the original SIP, constitute South Carolina's SIP. Though there are many amendments, there is only one South Carolina SIP. SCDES submits amendments to the EPA, and after…, Federal Register, . Possible proposed actions include approval, disapproval, partial approval, conditional approval, and a direct final rule. Following a review of the comments, the EPA issues a final rule on the amendments. The EPA memoranda that guide the SIP review process include a, 1992 memorandum, and, April , and, November, 2011 memoranda. The EPA maintains approvals of all states' SIPs in the, Code of Federal Regulations, . South Carolina's is at, 40 CFR Part 52, Approval of Implementation Plans, Subpart PP, South Carolina, ., What's in the SIP?, Several individual elements can make up the state's complete "SIP." There are many different components of the SIP, including: Infrastructure SIP elements Nonattainment SIP elements Attainment Demonstrations Maintenance Plans Section 111(d)/129 Plans, Infrastructure State Implementation Plan (SIP), Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) of the Clean Air Act, require all states to submit plan elements to provide for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the, NAAQS, . Sections 110(a)(1) and (2) further require states to address basic SIP requirements, including but not limited to the following elements: emissions limits and other control measures, ambient air quality monitoring, a program for the enforcement of control measures, adequate resources to implement the SIP, and public notification and government consultation. These elements are commonly called "…, EPA's Infrastructure SIP webpage, ., Nonattainment SIP elements, A nonattainment plan is the specific SIP plan element designed to address a particular area in the state that has been designated as nonattainment for a standard. Once nonattainment designations take effect, the state has three years to develop a nonattainment SIP revision outlining how a particular area will attain and maintain the standards by reducing air pollutant emissions in that area. The…, York County part of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC nonattainment, area for the 2008 Ozone NAAQS. On August 22, 2014, the Department submitted a, Marginal Nonattainment Area SIP, to meet the requirements for the York County portion of the Charlotte-Rock Hill NC-SC 8-hour Ozone Nonattainment Area, for the 2008 NAAQS ozone standards. This SIP certifies that each Clean Air Act 182(a) marginal area requirement has been met, to include an emissions inventory. On April 17, 2015, DHEC submitted a, SIP Package, request to redesignate the York nonattainment area to attainment. A, Notice of Final Amendment, to the Air Quality SIP was published in the State Register on April 24, 2015. This action is due to the latest ozone monitoring data that show all monitors in and near the nonattainment area to have 2014 design values lower than the 2008 NAAQS (0.075 ppm.) A public hearing was held March 30, 2015. No comments, written or oral, were received from the public. On December 11, 2015 the EPA approved…, 76865, ) and the redesignation to attainment became effective on January 11, 2016. The Clean Air Act also requires states with areas designated as nonattainment areas for Ozone(O 3 ), carbon monoxide (CO), particulate matter (PM 10 and PM 2.5 ), or nitrogen dioxide (NO 2 ) to demonstrate that any transportation plans, programs, and projects planned for the area are consistent with the state's air…, Transportation Conformity, ., Attainment Demonstrations, The Clean Air Act requires that states submit attainment demonstrations for nonattainment areas to show that the area will attain and can continue to attain the NAAQS for which it was in nonattainment., Maintenance Plans, An area that was once designated as nonattainment, but has been redesignated as attainment, must submit a maintenance plan, as required by section 175A of the Clean Air Act. South Carolina has submitted maintenance plans for two areas of the state, Cherokee County and the York County portion of the Charlotte-Gastonia-Rock Hill NC-SC nonattainment area., Section 111(d)/129 Plans, Section 129 of the Clean Air Act (CAA) regulates solid waste combustion sources, such as incinerators. Section 111 of the CAA requires the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue "Standards of Performance for New Stationary Sources" (NSPS). Within one year of when EPA issues NSPS rules for solid waste combustion sources, Section 111(d)/129 requires plans from states, commonly called "…, Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerator (CISWI) Rule, and SCDES is currently updating this plan due to recent changes in the federal CISWI rule.