Waters of the State
The South Carolina Pollution Control Act defines, Waters of the State (WoS), as: lakes, bays, sounds, ponds, impounding reservoirs, springs, wells, rivers, streams, creeks, estuaries, marshes, inlets, canals, the Atlantic Ocean within the territorial limits of the State and all other bodies of surface or underground water, natural or artificial, public or private, inland or coastal, fresh or salt, which are wholly or partially within or bordering the State or within its…, Waters of the State, has, essentially, become the foundation of how and why to implement a set of practices under a site-specific stormwater management plan. Restoration of all state waterways,, WoS, , should be approached with the broader goal of restoring and maintaining the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the natural waters so that they can support "the protection and propagation of fish, shellfish, and wildlife and recreation in and on the water." The quality of, Waters of the State, is essential for supporting human lifestyles and wildlife. Instances may arise, during the construction and/or design phase of a project, in which small impacts on, Waters of the State, are unavoidable. The majority of these instances deal with the impact of Wetland areas. When such occasions arise, Federal and State Governments must grant proper authority. These authorities must approve any impacts that are to be implemented within a, WoS, . Please visit SC DHEC's 401 Water Quality Certification Section if impacts to Waters of the State are proposed before submitting a request for NPDES Stormwater Coverage. This site will provide you with information on the Federal 404 permit and the Section 401 Certification., Wetlands, Although the South Carolina Pollution Control Act's definition of, Waters of the State, does not specifically list wetlands, the Department has a legal opinion, which has been upheld in court, that wetlands are included because of the listing of marshes and all other bodies of water. Water pollution control programs administered by the Department would include activities in wetlands. Proper Wetland determination must be made by licensed professionals and approved by the US Army…, Floodplains, South Carolina's Department of Health and Environmental Control does not regulate the placement of fill and/or fill materials within a floodplain. This approval needs to be granted by local authorities, either county or city engineers.Living Shorelines
Background, Over the years, South Carolina coastal property owners and other stakeholders have expressed an increased interest for options to naturally stabilize the shorelines within the estuarine environment. As a result, in 2016, SCDES (formerly DHEC) embarked on a five-year strategy to, develop a regulatory definition, and project standards for living shorelines in South Carolina. The goal of the strategy was to allow for a more efficient authorization process for living shorelines and to help ensure a project’s design would accomplish its intended goals. Living shoreline regulations were developed in accordance with the South Carolina Administrative Procedures Act (“APA”), S.C. Code Section 1-23-10 et seq.…, Summary of Living Shoreline Research to Inform Regulatory Decision-Making in South Carolina, , conducted by the, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, and funded by the, National Estuarine Research Reserve System (NERRS) Science Collaborative, . This multi-year project involved monitoring existing living shoreline installations, as well as installing and monitoring new and existing technologies under a range of conditions in the estuarine environment. SCDES also established a South Carolina, Living Shorelines Working Group, to help inform development of regulations and project standards. The Working Group included representatives from federal, state, and local governments, as well as non-governmental organizations., What is a Living Shoreline?, Coir log living shoreline installation shown in Big Bay Creek, Edisto Island in July 2016. Same installation site shown again in September 2019. South Carolina, SCDES Coastal Division Regulations, define a living shoreline as a shoreline stabilization approach utilized in intertidal wetland environments that maintains, restores, and/or enhances natural estuarine processes through the strategic placement of native vegetation and/or use of green infrastructure as described in, South Carolina Code of Regulations R.30-12.Q, . Living shorelines promote wetland resiliency and water quality, and enhance the diverse intertidal habitat. Living shorelines, as defined above, are encouraged as an alternative to traditional hardened erosion control structures in estuarine environments because they provide an environmental benefit and reduce the environmental impacts associated with hardened structures. Living shoreline…, Wondering if your property may be suitable for a living shoreline?, Environmental conditions of a site will be considered in the evaluation of living shoreline applications including whether the type of living shoreline has demonstrated success. Demonstrated success can include an increase in the presence of native vegetation and/or oysters, and an increase in elevation on the landward side of the living shoreline installation. Some living shoreline projects will…, Summary of Living Shoreline Research to Inform Regulatory Decision-Making in South Carolina, . General resources are available to help homeowners assess conditions and plan for a living shoreline project. The following sites will help you get started., Clemson Extension, offers additional information regarding associated costs, selection of the right method of installation, how to measure success as well as information pertaining to training and educational opportunities., The Nature Conservancy’s SC Living Shoreline Explorer, application provides the user with a preliminary look at specific site conditions that are important to consider. For general inquiries concerning living shorelines, please visit the Project Manager Finder Application to find contact information for Critical Area Permitting project managers by geographic area., Permitting Guidance, Living Shorelines Regulations and Permitting Process Guidance PDF Living shoreline installations will require an individual critical area permit from SCDES BCM. Professional drawings must be included with the permit application. For illustrative purposes, please see example drawings:, Example Living Shoreline Reef Project, . Staff are available to assist property owners with the process once you are ready to begin., Eligibility, To be eligible for a living shoreline, you must have a parcel or lot that is defined as waterfront property in, SC Code of Regulations 30-1.D(54), ., For purposes of these regulations, waterfront property will generally be defined as upland sites where a straight-line extension of both, generally shore perpendicular, upland property lines reaches a navigable watercourse within 1000' of the marsh critical line. Waterfront property may also be identified via an approved dock master plan where designated corridors differing from upland property…, Getting Started: Pre-Application Meeting, Create an ePermitting account or sign into ePermitting . Navigate to or create an ePermitting Site reflective of the address where the project will take place. Typically, Sites with any critical area permitting history exist within the system. Click the, Start a New Form, tab. Select, Service Request, . Type in, Pre-Application Meeting Request, . Alternatively, you can locate the SCDES BCM Critical Area Permitting project manager using the BCM Project Manager Finder App for assistance with access to existing Sites or instructions on how to set up a new Site. , Living Shoreline Project Standards, All living shoreline applications must demonstrate that they are designed and constructed in a manner that: does not restrict the reasonable navigation or public use of state lands and waters; has minimal effect on natural water movement and in no case prohibits water flow; does not prevent movement of aquatic organisms between the waterbody and the shore; maintains, restores, and/or enhances…, SC Code of Regulations 30-12.Q, Living Shorelines Training Program, In 2024, SCDES and partners released a Living Shorelines training course which highlights the benefits of living shorelines in South Carolina’s estuarine environment and teaches participants about living shoreline regulations and permitting, site assessments, installation materials and methods, and evaluating the performance of living shoreline installations. Participants hear from experts…, Resources, Clemson Extension, The Nature Conservancy’s SC Living Shoreline Explorer, NOAA Guidance for Considering the Use of Living Shorelines, Living Shorelines in the Southeast: Research and Data Gaps, Living Shorelines Strategic Needs Assessment, Living Shorelines from Barriers to OpportunitiesSeaco 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. , On May 24, 2012, DHEC received a, letter, requesting that all air permits related to Colprovia Asphalts and Seaco, Inc. be transferred to Associated Asphalt Columbia. The Department transferred, air permit 9900-0025, from "Colprovia Asphalts, Division of Seaco, Inc." to "Associated Asphalt Columbia, LLC t/a Colprovia Asphalts". Associated Asphalt Columbia, LLC t/a Colprovia Asphalts (Colprovia) is a 130 TPH drum mix asphalt plant located at 1119 Airport Boulevard, Columbia, SC. Colprovia, a cold mix asphalt plant, is equipped with a venturi scrubber and a 27.1 x 106 BTU/hr natural gas / No. 2 fuel oil fired…, General Conditional Major Operating Permit for Asphalt Plants, (coverage requested on April 2, 2015). The Bureau has determined that Colprovia and Seaco are co-located for air permitting purposes based on its understanding of the following: (1) Colprovia and Seaco are located within a quarter mile of each other (contiguous/adjacent properties); (2) the SIC code for each facility is 2951 and the corresponding NAICS code is 324121 (same industrial grouping);…, Comprehensive Inspections and Odor Investigations, Since issuance of its last operating permit, DHEC has conducted six comprehensive inspections at Colprovia with no violations observed. Seaco has undergone three comprehensive inspections with no violations observed. The Department has also conducted inspections of Colprovia and Seaco in response to odor complaints. On August 24, 2012, the Department, approved a request, from Associated Asphalt Columbia to install an odor control system on the storage tanks at its Seaco facility. Tanks have been modified to include a carbon canister filtration system to minimize the odor. Canisters will be replaced when their absorption ability meets its threshold., Source Test Requirements, Associated Asphalt Columbia is subject to the source test requirements outlined in S.C. Regulation 61-62.5, Standard No. 4, Section XII - Periodic Testing: the owner/operator of an asphalt plant shall perform scheduled periodic tests for particulate matter emissions every two (2) years. Reports of the last 10 stack tests conducted at Colprovia are listed below:, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002, 2000, 1998, 1996Philip Services Corporation
(AKA ThermalKEM) The Philip Services Corporation (PSC) Site is located at 2324 Vernsdale Road in Rock Hill, South Carolina. The facility property consists of approximately 44.5 acres of former industrial property on the west side of Wildcat Creek. PSC also owned approximately 91 acres of undeveloped woodland on the east side of Wildcat Creek. The facility operated from approximately 1966 until…, DHEC extended the comment period through May 6, 2022, . DHEC filed the Settlement with the federal court for approval. Once the Settlement is finalized, the PRP Group, with oversight from DHEC, will begin work at the site to design and implement the final remedies for the cleanup of contaminated soil and groundwater as determined in the ROD. The cleanup technologies identified in the ROD and outlined in the Statement of Work associated with the…Philip Services Corporation - Community Engagement
Community Engagement , Community Engagement is an important component of the environmental cleanup process that provides us with valuable input from nearby communities and allows us to hear concerns and address questions. For communities that are impacted by a regulated facility, our Community Engagement activities often continue after our formal public comment period closes. As part of the environmental cleanup…, Community Meeting - May 3, 2022, DHEC hosted a meeting to formally accept comments on the proposed legal settlement that identifies those responsible for funding and cleanup of soil/groundwater contamination at the former ThermalKEM Site on May 3, 2022 at 6:00 PM at the Oakdale Elementary School Cafeteria (1129 Oakdale Road - Rock Hill, SC) All comments made during the meeting were recorded by a court reporter. Philip Services…, Community Meeting – March 22, 2022 , DHEC hosted a meeting to discuss the environmental cleanup and proposed Settlement for the Phillips Services Corporation (formerly known as the ThermalKEM Site) on March 22, 2022., Philip Services Community Meeting Presentation - March 22, 2022, Public Comment Period , The proposed Settlement and Consent Decree was open for public comment through May 6, 2022. The Settlement and Consent Decree, and other related documents are available below. Philip Services Site Settlement and Consent Decree DRAFT Appendix 1 to CD – Work Parties DRAFT Appendix 2 to CD – Cash Out Settlors DRAFT Appendix 3 to CD – Re-Opener Settlors Notice of Intent to Settle (Rock Hill…, Mailing List , If you would like to be notified of future updates, please complete the form here to be added to our mailing list.Philip Services Corporation - Environmental Reports
Philip Services Corporation (a/k/a ThermalKEM) Site—Environmental Reports The documents listed below are key documents that relate to the assessment and investigation of contamination on the site, the evaluation and decision documents for cleanup alternatives, and recent reports regarding current site conditions. All documents are in the Department’s Bureau of Land & Waste Management Site…Superfund
National Priority List Sites in SC - February 2022 State Remediation Projects - Key Documents SC Superfund Annual Reports State Superfund Contractors Related Topics What is Superfund? (EPA) Savannah River Nuclear Site Monitoring Permits and Compliance Report spills File a Freedom of Information RequestVendors, Recyclers, Contractors
Assessment/Corrective Action, Certified Contractors Contractor Application Cost Agreements Request for Review, Regulatory & Compliance, Vendors, Recyclers Report It! Permit CentralHurricane Dorian Update - Thu, September 5, 2019
Thursday, September 5, 2019 , This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available. , This page will be updated regularly as information becomes available, In response to Hurricane Dorian, SCDES staff continue to actively assess and respond to public health and environmental needs across the state. For important information, please visit our, hurricane preparedness page, and visit the, S.C. Emergency Management Division webpage, ., SCDES Care Line, DES’s, Care Line call center is open, to provide information and answer general questions about SCDES services:, 1-855-472-3432, ., Health Care Facilities, The Governor issued a, Mandatory Medical Evacuation Order, Sept. 1 for health care facilities located within the evacuation zone. SCDES is currently in communications with all, 175 health care facilities impacted by the mandatory medical evacuation order, including, : 13 hospitals 25 nursing homes 92 assisted living facilities As of Sept. 5, three hospitals have closed, one is sheltering in place, and nine hospitals have been granted exemptions from mandatory medical evacuations., Controlled Substances, SCDES has authorized a statewide, one-time early refill of Schedule III-V prescriptions for valid refills that are due within the next seven days. Schedule II prescriptions can be refilled via oral authorization throughout the state from a prescribing practitioner if an emergency situation exists, in compliance with how an emergency situation is defined as in the Controlled Substances regulation…, here, ., Special Medical Needs Shelters, As of Sept. 5, there are, 5 special medical needs shelters open and 18 shelters on standby, . Special Medical Needs Shelters provide shelter for people whose medical conditions exceed the capabilities of the Red Cross shelters but are not severe enough to require a hospital stay. SCDES doesn’t provide health care services in these shelters. Please call the Care Line at, 1-855-472-3432, to determine eligibility for, Special Medical Needs Shelters, ., Dams, On Sept. 4, SCDES staff conducted pre-storm assessments of an additional nine dams in areas predicted to receive five inches or more of rain, based on updated weather models. A total of 31 dams were assessment ahead of the storm. Please, click here, for the list of dams, their locations and classifications. A, CodeRed, notification was delivered Sept. 2 to all dam owners and operators located in areas of concern based on predicted rainfall., If you have a concern about a dam that may have been impacted by the storm, please call SCDES at, (803) 898-1939, ., Private Wells, If a well has been flooded, it needs to be disinfected and tested to ensure it’s safe. Please see the, Sept. 4 update, for information about private well testing and disinfection. For questions about testing a private well that’s flooded, call your, local SCDES Environmental Affairs office, ., Storm Debris Disposal, To dispose of storm debris, please call the landfill in advance to ensure it's open and can accept the debris. More information is available, here, ., Drinking & Wastewater, SCDES conducted assessments of drinking water plants and intakes and wastewater plants within potential flood inundation areas. Staff have been in contact with 84 community drinking water systems and 76 wastewater treatment facilities located along the coast., Shellfish Harvesting Closure, On Sept. 3, SCDES closed summer shellfish harvesting along the coast., Coastal Resources and Sandbags, SCDES has issued blanket emergency orders to local governments that allow property owners along the immediate beachfront to conduct sand scraping or install sandbags. SCDES also has asked local governments to provide updates on beachfront erosion and damage through our, MYCoast application, ., Petroleum Distribution Terminals, To facilitate the distribution of fuel to areas impacted by mandatory evacuations, SCDES requested and received a, No Action Assurance letter from EPA, ., SCDES Office Closures, SCDES follows the closings and delays of county offices., The latest information on delays and closures can be found at, www.scemd.org/closings, or on, local media, ., Stay Connected, Stay tuned to your local weather forecast and get the latest information about our preparation and response efforts by following us on, Twitter, and, Facebook., Previous Updates, Hurricane Dorian Update – Wednesday, Sept 4, 2019, Hurricane Dorian Update - Tuesday, Sept 3, 2019, Hurricane Dorian Update - Monday, Sept 2, 2019, Hurricane Dorian Update - Sunday, Sept 1, 2019, Hurricane Dorian Update - Saturday, Aug 31, 2019Information for Dam Owners
On March 12, 2016, DHEC hosted "Dams After The Flood: Regulations, Responsibilities and Recovery" - an event to help connect dam owners to information and people who can help them move towards recovery. The event was for dam owners whose dams were most heavily impacted by the flooding. Below are some resources related to the event, and more information will be added as it becomes available., Presentation on Dams 101 and Dam Inspections, (pdf) Event partner websites:, American Rivers, Association of State Dam Safety Officials, Gills Creek Watershed Association, Natural Resources Conservation Service, S.C. Department of Natural Resources, S.C. Department of Transportation, S.C. Emergency Management Division, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers