Permitting Contacts
(listed by program area and topic), Air Quality Land & Waste Management Coastal Management Water Environmental Lab Certification, Air, Topic Contact Phone Air Dispersion Modeling Greg Quina (803) 898-4074 Air Construction Permits Wilson Pang, P.E. (803) 898-2813 Non-Title V Operating Permits Denise Hall (803) 898-0048 Title V Permits Christopher Hardee, P.E. (803) 898-0039 Asbestos Jennifer Boryk (803) 898-4289 BAQ Permitting Contacts for Industry Sectors, Land and Waste Management, Topic Contact Phone Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, Disposal (Commercial) Joe Bowers (803) 898-0247 Hazardous Waste Treatment, Storage, Disposal (Non-Commercial) Joe Bowers (803) 898-0247 Hazardous Waste Generator Mackenzie Smith (803) 898-1315 Hazardous Waste Transporter Ashanta Lopey-Savery (803) 898-0495 Infectious Waste Treatment, Storage, Disposal: Kimberley Noonan (803) 898-0499 Oil…, Mining and Reclamation, Topic Contact Phone Certificate of Exploration Wendy Hamilton (803) 898-1368 Mine Operating Permit Wendy Hamilton (803) 898-1368, Bureau of Coastal Management, Topic Contact Phone Coastal Zone Consistency Chris Stout Holli Martin (843) 953-0691 (843) 953-0860 Critical Area Permits & Federal Certification Blair Williams Tess Trumbull (843) 953-0232 (843) 953-0233, Radiological Health, Topic Contact Phone Radioactive Material Licenses (Radiological Health) Jim Peterson (803) 545-4407, Solid Waste Landfills, Topic Contact Phone Class 1 Landfills Tim Eleazer (803) 898-1374 Class 2 Landfills (C&D) Tim Eleazer (803) 898-1374 Class 3 Landfills (MSW & Industrial) Sheila Watts (803) 898-2207, Solid Waste, Topic Contact Phone Battery Collection Registration Carson DaWalt (803) 898-1372 Research, Development, and Demonstration (RD&D) Jane Mundell (803) 898-0488 Solid Waste - Hydrogeology (Counties: Abbeville, Lee, Richland, Sumter, Williamsburg and York) Will Meservy (803) 898-1369 Solid Waste - Hydrogeology (Counties: Chesterfield, Clarendon, Darlington, Dillon, Florence, Georgetown, Greenville…, Underground Storage Tanks, Topic Contact Phone Construction Courtney Evans (803) 898-0587 Operating Courtney Evans (803) 898-0587, Waste Tires, Topic Contact Phone Haulers Carson DaWalt (803) 898-1372 Processing David Oberly (803) 898-1398, Water, (803) 898-4300 Topic Contact Phone 401 Certification Chuck Hightower (803) 898-0369 Agriculture Carolyn Moores 803-898-3574 Capacity Use and Groundwater Withdrawals Leigh Anne Monroe (803) 898-2415 Coastal Wetland Permitting Blair Williams (843) 953-0232 Coastal Zone Consistency Chris Stout (843) 953-0691 Dams and Reservoirs John McCain (803) 898-8178 Drinking Water - Backflow Prevention Steve…, Environmental Lab Certification, Topic Contact Phone Environmental Lab Certification Bennie Cockerel , Program Manager (803) 896-0974 Environmental Lab Certification Main Office (803) 896-0970 Environmental Lab Certification Eric Rice (803) 896-0978 Environmental Lab Certification Amalie Walker (803) 896-0971 Environmental Lab Certification Ben Watkins (803) 896-0976BAQ Permitting: Contacts for Industry Sectors
If you do not see your sector, below call 803-898-4123 and ask for the permit writer on call or email airpermitting@des.sc.gov . Permit Section Sector Contact Phone Email Metals and Chemicals Agricultural Products Brock Tollison (803) 898-0620 Brock.Tollison@des.sc.gov Combustion and Waste Air Curtain Incinerators (ACIs) Tyler Dunlop (803) 898-0660 Tyler.Dunlop@des.sc.gov Wood and Surface…Approved TMDLs
Commencement of TMDLs
Development of a total maximum daily load(s) or Alternative Restoration Plan(s) is currently underway for the area(s) listed in the table below. Please send any data or information that supports the development of the TMDL or alternative restoration plan to, Wade Cantrell, . All data and information submitted, including characterizations of local conditions that affect the attainment of water quality standards, shall be considered before completing the TMDL or alternative restoration plan. Waterbodies Counties Parameters Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) Sites Commencement Date Lower Catawba Basin Lakes (Cedar Creek, Fishing Creek, Great Falls, Wateree) Chester,…,Upper Sunnyhill Pond Dam
Upper Sunnyhill Pond Dam, Dam Number SCD02523, High Hazard Potential, Kershaw County, , April 23, 2026 Preliminary Inspection Report, The SC Department of Environmental Services conducted a Preliminary Inspection of SCD02523 Upper Sunnyhill Pond Dam on April 22, 2026 and shared a summary of the findings of that inspection in a Preliminary Inspection Letter that was sent out on June 17, 2026. Those documents have been compiled together and made available at the link below: SCDES Inspection Report and Letter for Upper Sunnyhill…, January 14, 2026 Meeting, The SC Department of Environmental Services held a public meeting on Wednesday, January 14th at 6:30 PM at the Revolutionary War Visitors Center to once again discuss the Upper Sunnyhill Pond Dam with members of the Sunnyhill community. Since the first meeting on August 28, 2024, the City of Camden hired an engineering firm to conduct a preliminary investigation into the severity of the…, Previous August 28, 2024 Meeting, On August 28 2024, the SCDES Dam Safety Program held a meeting with members of the Sunnyhill community in Camden regarding the Upper Sunnyhill Pond Dam (state ID#D2523). Topics discussed included the basic history and structure of the dam, the current condition of the dam and deficiencies identified at the most recent routine SCDES inspection, and historical and current questions pertaining to…Homeowner Resources
What is a Septic System?, A septic system is made up of a tank and a drain field. It is designed to treat and dispose of domestic wastewater through a combination of natural processes. When properly installed and maintained, a septic system can render wastewater ecologically safe., Why are Septic Systems Necessary?, Safe treatment and disposal of domestic wastewater protects public health and the environment while preventing drinking water pollution and the spread of disease. Connection to a wastewater treatment facility is not always available (i.e. rural areas, small communities)., How Does a Septic System Work?, Household wastewater is flushed. Wastewater flows into the septic tank. Heavy and light solids are broken down by bacteria that reside in the septic tank and form the scum and sludge layer. Wastewater flows out of the tank into the drain field (the scum and sludge layers remain in the tank). In the drain field, wastewater is absorbed by the soil and is broken down by natural processes. Septic…, The National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association (NOWRA) has developed resources for homeowners to learn more on the basics of septic systems and how to manage septic systems effectively. , NOWRA, How to Apply for a Septic System Permit?, For information on how to apply for a septic system permit, please visit our, Permits, Licenses, and Reports, page., South Carolina's Challenge, Some septic systems fail to work properly, usually because of poor maintenance. Don't let yours be one of them — learn how your septic system works and how to care for it., How a Septic Tank System Works, Parts of a Septic Tank System The most common type of septic system has four main parts: drainfield under construction An exit pipe that carries wastewater from the home to the septic tank and vents noxious gases up and out of the house A buried, watertight septic tank made of concrete, fiberglass, or polyethylene, usually installed about 6 feet from a home The drain field, which consists of one…UST Regulatory Position Papers
The following regulatory position papers have been drafted to provide compliance options related to issues that may be cited during inspection:, Interstitial monitoring of open or closed piping systems (In-Line Leak Detector) Monitoring section of piping connected to the pump head, when a mechanical line leak detector has been installed in the product piping and a portion of the piping between the pump head and the leak detector is not being monitored for the 3.0 GPH leak Low Level Containment Sump Testing to comply with Section 280.35…Environmental Public Notices
2027 Coastal Photography Contest
Calling all photographers! The annual Coastal Photography Contest will be opening soon. Every August, SCDES’s Bureau of Coastal Management (BCM) sponsors the Coastal Photography Contest, with the winning image featured on the following year’s Tide Tables. Photographers of all degrees of expertise are invited to participate in the contest. We reached out to last year’s winner, Lorraine Holcombe…, “, As someone who enjoys photographing shorebirds and other coastal wildlife, the contest was a perfect opportunity to share a moment that reflects what makes South Carolina’s beaches so special,”, Lorraine shared when asked what drew her to the Coastal Photography Contest, . “I hope my photographs inspire others to appreciate these habitats and the importance of conserving them for future generations.”, The Coastal Photography Contest is a celebration of the unique beauty of the South Carolina coast. Whether its sandy beaches, grassy marshes, tidal waters, or the diverse wildlife that calls our coast home, photos submitted to the contest should prominently feature scenes of South Carolina’s coastal natural resources., “My favorite part of South Carolina’s coast is its incredible wildlife,, ” Lorraine shared. , “I love that you can walk the beach and never know what you’ll see—from shorebirds feeding along the tide line to dolphins offshore or a beautiful sunrise over the ocean. Every visit offers something different, and that’s what keeps me coming back with my camera.”, Her photo, “Jumping for Joy!”, won last year’s photo contest, and was taken at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet. The image features a quartet of American Oystercatchers enjoying a moment on the beach. , “Oystercatchers have always been one of my favorite shorebirds to photograph because they’re full of personality,” Lorraine explained. “When I saw one leaping into the air, I knew it was a special moment. I hoped the image would capture not only their energy but also the beauty of the coastal habitats they depend on.”, When asked what advice she would give folks who might be interested in the contest, Lorraine encouraged time spent slowing down and observing one’s coastal surroundings., “Just get out and enjoy the coast,”, she said., “The best photographs often come from being patient and letting nature surprise you.”, The, Coastal Photography Contest, begins annually on Aug. 1. Two individuals standing in front of a banner that reads “SC Department of Environmental Services” while holding a large 2026 tide tables poster featuring a bird photograph at the top. The banner displays a stylized map graphic, and a whiteboard is visible in the background.SCDES Coastal Photography Contest