Hurricane Ian Recovery and Requirements
Emergency Orders for Sandbags, Sand Scraping and Minor Renourishment, DHEC OCRM has issued blanket emergency orders to local governments in Georgetown and Horry Counties to allow property owners along the immediate beachfront to conduct minor renourishment, sand scraping or install sandbags to provide temporary protection to beachfront structures from wave uprush. The accomplishment of any work under, 22-EO-HI1 for sandbags, 22-EO-HI2 for sand scraping, and 22-EO-…, Georgetown and Horry County Emergency Orders:, , Emergency Order 22-EO-HI1: Sandbags, | VALID UNTIL October 31, 2022, EXPIRED!, Emergency Order 22-EO-HI2: Sand Scraping, | VALID UNTIL October 31, 2022, EXPIRED!, Emergency Order 22-EO-HI3: Minor Renourishment, | VALID UNTIL October 31, 2022, EXPIRED!, Emergency Order 22-EO-HI4: Returning Sand to the Beach, | VALID UNTIL October 31, 2022, EXPIRED!, Statewide Emergency Order:, Emergency Order 22-EO-HI5: Boat and Debris Removal, | VALID UNTIL FEBRUARY 28, 2023 Please be advised that federal authorization from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, USACE, may be required for the state authorized activities in the above emergency orders. You must coordinate with the USACE to determine if federal authorization is required. Please use the following link to assist you in understanding federal requirements:, http://www.sac.usace.army.mil/Missions/Regulatory/, ., Emergency General Permits, Emergency Authorization requests are available for reconstruction or repair of coastal structures (e.g. private/joint use docks, bulkheads, community docks, marinas) in the tidelands Critical Areas of Horry and Georgetown Counties impacted by Hurricane Ian. This Emergency Authorization only applies to the reconstruction and repair of previously, permitted or grandfathered coastal structures, . Individual coverage under this Authorization must be obtained from DHEC. DHEC will work expeditiously to review and issue decisions on each request. To request Emergency Authorization, please visit, SCDES's ePermitting site, . Applicants will need to create a user account, then select "Submit a New Form,” select “Search All Available Forms,” and choose "Hurricane Ian Emergency Authorization". If you need assistance submitting a request, please contact Marian Page at, Marian.Page@des.sc.gov, ., Report Erosion and Damage, SCDES OCRM encourages residents and officials to report damage to beachfront structures, including seawalls, revetments, dune walkovers and erosion using SCDES OCRM's , MyCoast, web and mobile application. This information will assist in prioritizing post-disaster damage assessment and coordination with coastal counties and municipalities. Property owners should also report damage to structures, including homes, to their local building officials. , Post-Storm Recovery, Permitting priorities for DHEC OCRM after Hurricane Ian will focus on repair and maintenance of existing structures impacted by the event. Depending on the severity of damage to our coastal communities, issuance of permits for non-essential alteration to the critical areas may experience process delays. We appreciate your patience during this time. Structures located within the state's critical…Drinking Water Quality Monitoring
ESOP evaluates drinking water quality to ensure that radiological constituents have not affected community drinking water systems adjacent to and downstream of SRS., ESOP collects monthly drinking water composite samples from drinking water systems that use both the upper and lower portion of the Savannah River as a resource (, Drinking Water Quality Monitoring locations, ). Additional drinking water facilities that use other surface water sources in the vicinity of SRS are also sampled on a monthly basis. In total, approximately 254,000 customers are served from these drinking water facilities. SCDES’s ARESD laboratory analyzes the samples for gross alpha-, non-volatile beta-, and gamma-emitting radionuclides; whereas, SCDES’s Midlands Aiken office tests samples…Critical Pathways and Radiological Dose Assessment
ESOP uses data from environmental monitoring activities around the perimeter of SRS each year to calculate the potential radiation dose to the surrounding public within a 50-mile radius of the SRS center. , Potential radionuclide dose or exposure to the public is calculated from radioactive concentrations that are identified in the environment. A comparison of similar ESOP and SRS media allows for an evaluation of both environmental programs based on similar dose scenarios. Each year, ESOP reviews the different inhalation, ingestion, and external exposure pathways that may result in a dose to the…, Maximum Exposed Individual (MEI) =, a hypothetical subsistence and survivalist type of individual who resides downriver in the area below all SRS contributions to the Savannah River, visits the entire 50-mile perimeter study area, and receives the MEI dose based on the single highest detection per radionuclide per media detected in the environment. A typical person should receive a lower dose than the MEI as it is a conservative…, Average Exposed Individual (AEI) =, a conservative estimate based on consumption rates, average dose per media and is based on sample results only with no modeling. The AEI dose is more representative of the likely dose to the general public than the MEI dose although it also skews high, as only detections are used in the dose calculations. For a typical person in the study area, the dose they receive should be lower than the AEI…Radiological Monitoring of Vegetation
ESOP collects terrestrial vegetation twice a year, whereas edible vegetation is more dependent on availability. Both types of vegetation have the ability to uptake chemicals and be a route for human exposure. , Terrestrial Vegetation, ESOP collects samples of Bermuda grass (Cynodon dactylon) on and around the perimeter of SRS for the presence of radionuclides. Vegetation is collected on-site, along the perimeter of SRS, and within 25 miles of the center of SRS (, Terrestrial Vegetation Monitoring locations, ). Samples are split with SRS, as available, and are analyzed for tritium and gamma-emitting radionuclides., Edible Vegetation, ESOP monitors the uptake of radionuclides in foodstuffs (domestic or wild vegetables and fruit) according to the growing season. Wild, edible fungi is collected upon availability. Sample collection points are determined by the availability of crops and the sampling location in relation to the perimeter of SRS (, Edible Vegetation Monitoring locations, ). Samples are analyzed for tritium and gamma-emitting radionuclides.Radiological Monitoring of Fish, Game Near SRS
Fish and game are sampled annually as they can serve as a route for human exposure through ingestion. Due to some chemicals’ ability to seek out and store in bone and muscle tissue, body parts of fish and game are analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides and select metals., Radiological Monitoring of Fish , ESOP collects largemouth bass, channel catfish, and flathead catfish along the Savannah River to determine the magnitude, extent, and trends of radionuclide concentrations. These species are common in the catch of local anglers and consumed in the study area. Studies have shown that these types of fish bioaccumulate measurable amounts of radionuclides. (White catfish will sometimes be used as a…, Fish Monitoring locations, ). ESOP uses boat-mounted, electro-fishing equipment to allow for a more efficient collection of fish. Once collected, the fish are individually prepared then composited into edible fillet composites and bone composites. A small portion of the filets are composited separately for mercury analysis. One composite consists of five fish of the same species by location. Edible fillet composites are…, Radiological Monitoring of Game Animals Associated with SRS, ESOP addresses concerns over potentially contaminated white-tailed deer and wild/feral hogs in the area near SRS. These target species are more widely hunted and consumed in greater quantities than any other local game. White-tailed deer and wild/feral hogs are sampled within a defined area adjacent to SRS (, Game Monitoring locations, ). Samples from each animal harvested are analyzed for gamma-emitting radionuclides. Cesium-137 is of concern as it can store in muscle tissue that could be consumed.Sediment and Surface Soil Monitoring
Sediment Monitoring, ESOP collects sediment and soil samples on a yearly basis. Both can trap chemicals and be a route for human exposure. Samples of each are analyzed for radionuclides and metals., Annual sediment samples from on-site SRS streams and storm-water basins, creek mouths and boat landings on the Savannah River, and background locations are collected to determine if radiological and non-radiological contaminants have affected water bodies that could result in human exposure. ESOP and DOE split samples of sediment at many locations to provide for a more direct comparison of data (, Sediment Monitoring locations, ). If sediment in a riverbed is disturbed by natural or man-made reasons, it has the potential to release any contaminants that it has entrapped, which could result in ingestion through swimming or eating animals from the water body. Sediment samples are analyzed for specific radioisotopes such as gross alpha-, gross beta-, or gamma-emitting radionuclides as well as select metals. In particular,…, Surface Soil Monitoring, When surface soil is contaminated by radionuclides or metals, the contamination can be transported to other ecological systems by being absorbed by plants and being introduced to the food chain. It can leach into groundwater and possibly emerge in surface water. Contamination can also runoff into streams and introduce chemicals into the sediment. Radionuclide detections in soil are the result of…, Surface Soil Monitoring locations, ). Samples are analyzed for gross alpha-, gross non-volatile beta-, and select gamma-emitting radionuclides, as well as specific metals of concern.Radiological Atmospheric Monitoring Adjacent to SRS
ESOP conducts radiological airborne sampling for contaminants that can affect the public through exposures from releases of chemicals associated with SRS. Radiological atmospheric monitoring sites (, Ambient Air Monitoring locations, ) are positioned on and around SRS to provide spatial coverage where public exposure could occur., ESOP’s monitoring capabilities include operating and maintaining multiple air monitoring stations located on SRS, around its perimeter, and within 25 miles of its boundary. These stations utilize glass fiber filters, rain pans, silica gel columns, and dosimeters to study what is present in the air. The glass fiber filters collect total airborne particulates and are screened weekly for gross alpha…Radiological Monitoring of Dairy Milk
ESOP collects quarterly dairy milk samples to determine if radionuclides have been ingested by dairy cows. Exposure to radionuclides could be the result of atmospheric releases depositing chemicals on pastures, pastures being irrigated with contaminated groundwater, or plants growing in soil contaminated with radioactive materials., Fresh milk samples are provided by multiple dairy farms located within a 50-mile radius of the SRS’s center (, Dairy Milk Monitoring locations, ). Milk samples are analyzed for tritium, selected gamma-emitting radionuclides, and strontium. Strontium is of concern due to its ability to act as a chemical analog to calcium in the human body. By being an analog to calcium, it will act similarly and will be stored in bone tissue.Ambient Groundwater Monitoring Adjacent to SRS
ESOP evaluates groundwater quality around SRS to develop background water quality information to support SCDES and SRS groundwater monitoring programs., ESOP uses a network of around 101 wells within 25 miles of the SRS boundary (, Groundwater Monitoring locations, ). The network consists of public supply, private, irrigation, and monitoring wells. Due to having a large network, ESOP samples wells are on a five-year cycle. Wells are analyzed for selected radiological constituents. ESOP’s groundwater results enhance current SCDES water quality data. Wells will continue to be sampled to ensure the public that SRS is not having an impact on off-site…Monitoring of Surface Water
Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water, ESOP conducts radiological monitoring of streams and creeks on the SRS property, as well as in the Savannah River. Our purpose is to determine concentrations and migration of radionuclides, detect and confirm accidental releases, and verify any associated impacts., SCDES collects samples routinely from established surface water locations (, Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water locations, ). Samples are analyzed for tritium on the same day that they are collected. Additional samples are collected from each location to produce a monthly composite which is analyzed for gross alpha-, gross beta-, and gamma-emitting radionuclides. The monthly composite data provide yearly values and are used in determining long-term trends. Grab samples and composite samples are collected from surface…, Non-Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water, ESOP conducts on-site stream monitoring at SRS to determine surface water conditions and detect non-radiological impacts from SRS operations., Samples are collected once a month from multiple routine surface water locations (, Non-Radiological Monitoring of Surface Water locations, ). Staff analyze the samples for parameters such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature while in the field. After being brought into a laboratory setting, samples are analyzed for turbidity, biochemical oxygen demand, E. coli, nitrate/nitrite, metals, mercury, total suspended solids, and additional parameters. ESOP’s non-radiological, independent monitoring and surveillance of SRS surface water…