Brownfields Voluntary Cleanup Program
, Thank you for a successful 2026 SCDES Brownfields Conference!, Held in the historic BullStreet District, which is a major brownfields success story for the City of Columbia, the first SCDES Brownfields Conference was a statewide forum focused on transforming Brownfields into thriving community assets through smart planning and partnership. Thank you to all of our participants, presenters and elected officials who helped make the SCDES Brownfields Conference…Critical Area Permitting - General Permits
A photo of a salt marsh at low tide, General Permits, were established to expedite the permit review process for permit applications that meet regulatory requirements, with minimal environmental impact. The general permit allows for individuals requesting an activity that meets all the regulatory requirements for such construction, without any additional considerations, an expedited review and thus a more rapid turn-around for construction. , General Permits for Activities in the Tideland Critical Area:, , GP-94-001: Special Events GP-96-001: Directional boring for utilities GP-00-02: Mariculture GP-84-264: Soil Borings GP-03-001: Docks - authorizes the following additions to existing, grandfathered, or previously permitted private docks, both single and joint use: catwalks 3’ wide to existing boatlifts, roofs on existing pierheads, handrails, utilities, benches, storage boxes, sinks, and mooring…, Applying for a General Permit , Please visit ePermitting to apply online. All critical area activities (other than permit amendments, transfers, and extensions) should be applied for using the , BCM Critical Area Activities, form., A non-refundable administrative application fee is required for select general permits. The fee is $100 for the dock general permit (GP-04-001) and $250 for the reconstruction general permits (GP-25-DR & GP-25-ECS). All other general permits have no fee. Fees can be paid via the , ePermitting, portal or by check made payable to SCDES BCM., You must notify all adjoining property owners and the local governing body by certified mail of the proposed project. The original certified mail receipts must be submitted to BCM as part of the General Permit application package. You must run a public notice in a newspaper published in the county where the proposed activity is taking place. Proof of publication (notarized affidavit from the…Critical Area Permitting - Minor Activities
Minor development activities, include the construction, maintenance, repair or alteration of any private pier or erosion control structure and construction which does not involve dredging (e.g., private docks, living shorelines, non-oceanfront erosion control structures, and additions to existing dock structures such as floating or fixed boat storage structures, floating docks and pierheads). Explore the links in the tiles…Critical Area Permitting - Major Activities
Major development activities, include any construction activity that is not defined as minor activity. Major activities reviewed by the Critical Area Permitting Section include, but are not limited to, bridges, boat ramps, marinas, dredging, community docks, and commercial facilities. Due to the complex nature of these types of projects, a pre-application meeting with a Critical Area Project Manager is highly encouraged…Critical Area Permitting - Emergency General Permits
Critical Area Permitting - Amendments
Depending on the extent of the additions, you may qualify for an, amendment, to an existing, active permit or you may qualify to make an addition under the dock general permit. , Applying for a Permit Amendment, Please visit ePermitting to apply online via the, BCM Permit Change Form (Amendments, Transfers, Extensions), . An ePermitting account and an active, existing permit will be required to apply for all amendments. The applicant will need to have access to the existing permitted site in ePermitting to start the, BCM Permit Change Form (Amendments, Transfers, Extensions), . If you need assistance with the application process or would like to discuss your proposed project before applying, use the BCM Project Manager Finder App to locate the Critical Area Permitting Project Manager for your region. , A non-refundable administrative application fee is required for permit amendments ($1000 for major permit amendments and $100 for minor permit amendments), ., This fee may be paid electronically via , ePermitting, or paid by check payable to SCDES BCM., The application requires the following information regarding the project and the property involved: The names, addresses, telephone numbers, and emails of the landowners and authorized agents The dimensions, specifications, and purpose of the project The names and complete mailing addresses and emails of all adjoining property owners A detailed description of the location of the project An…, Contact, SCDES BCM staff are available to assist property owners. If you suspect authorization may be required for your activity, or if you have questions related to authorization requirements, please contact SCDES BCM’s Critical Area Permitting Section at (843) 953-0200 , or visit the Project Manager Finder Application to find contact information for project managers by geographic area.Critical Area Permitting - Permit Extensions & Transfers
Extensions, An overhead photo of Folly Beach State regulations require a permit holder to complete work within five years from the date of permit issuance. However, SCDES BCM may extend this five-year period upon showing of good cause indicating that due diligence toward completion of the work has been made, evidenced by significant work progress. The permit holder must apply for an extension in ePermitting…, Transfers, A permit may be transferred if the permit is still active. The permit holder must apply for a transfer in ePermitting . Both parties are required to sign this form (D-3900) . Once the application is complete, the Department will transfer the permit to the new permittee and the new permit holder will be responsible for all conditions prescribed under the original permit. , Applying for a Permit Extension or Transfer, Please visit ePermitting to apply online via the, BCM Permit Change Form (Amendments, Transfers, Extensions), . An ePermitting account and an active, existing permit will be required to apply for extensions and transfers. The applicant will need to have access to the existing permitted site in ePermitting to start the, BCM Permit Change Form (Amendments, Transfers, Extensions), . If you need assistance, use the BCM Project Manager Finder App to locate the Critical Area Permitting Project Manager for your region. , A non-refundable administrative application fee is required for permit extensions and transfers. ($100 for major permit extensions and transfers and $25 for minor permit extensions and transfers), ., This fee may be paid electronically via , ePermitting, or paid by check payable to SCDES BCM., For, Permit Transfers, , the following documents will be required as part of the application: An Affidavit of Ownership or Control form must be completed, signed and notarized and include one of the following: 1) legal description and/or copy of the certified plat of the property or 2) a certified copy of the deed, lease, easement, or other instrument under which the applicant claims title, or permission from the…, Permit Extensions, , applicants must provide photo documentation that showcases significant work towards completion of the permit has been achieved., Contact, SCDES BCM staff are available to assist property owners. If you suspect authorization may be required for your activity, or if you have questions related to authorization requirements, please contact SCDES BCM’s Critical Area Permitting Division at (843) 953-0200 , or visit the Project Manager Finder Application to find contact information for project managers by geographic area.Critical Area Permitting - Request a Critical Area Line
A, Critical Area Line (CAL), is the boundary between the upland and the Tidelands/ Coastal Waters critical area, and any activities seaward of the CAL may require a critical area permit. CALs are determined by SCDES BCM staff upon request and may be valid for up to 5 years from the date the CAL is certified by SCDES BCM staff. SCDES requires a current, Department-certified CAL for the following activities: Erosion control…, Submitting a Critical Area Line Request, Please visit ePermitting to submit a CAL request using the , BCM Critical Area Activities, application form. An ePermitting account will be necessary to apply for all critical area activities, including CALs. The applicant will need to find an existing site in ePermitting, or create a new site for the parcel, to access the , BCM Critical Area Activities, application form. The applicant will have the ability to request a CAL independently or request a CAL in conjunction with another BCM activity, such as an erosion control structure., There is no administrative fee for a critical area line request., The application requires the following information The applicant MUST be the property owner. If the applicant has an authorized agent, enter the authorized agent information under the “Additional Contacts” section of the form. Purpose for the CAL request. Any gate codes for accessing the Site. Representative photographs of flagging (if flagging completed by a survey company). In order for SCDES…, The northings and eastings must be shown on a point table on the survey. Additionally, submission of a CAD file or Esri shapefile is strongly suggested., Contact, SCDES BCM staff are available to assist property owners. If you suspect authorization may be required for your activity, or if you have questions related to authorization requirements, please contact SCDES BCM’s Critical Area Permitting Section at (843) 953-0200 , or visit the Project Manager Finder Application to find contact information for project managers by geographic area.Water Quality Standards
Contact, If you have any questions or comments regarding South Carolina’s Water Quality Standards, please contact, wqs@des.sc.gov, .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 Robert K. Mahoney, P.E. (803) 898-3823 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) 896-0976