Federal Regulations
There are multiple, Federal Regulations, that play a role on how to properly manage stormwater runoff, some more so than others. The first of these regulations was issued in 1968 as the National Flood Insurance Program. This was the first federal law related to stormwater management and required communities to meet specific policies and procedures while building in floodplains as an attempt to alleviate flooding that was being reported…, The Clean Water Act, ) was passed. Initially, this Act applied to just municipal waste and industrial wastewater and prohibited these sources of pollution from discharging into waterways unless NPDES Coverage authorization was granted. Initially, Stormwater Runoff was not seen as a significant contributor to the quality of the nation's waterways and was not addressed until later revisions of the act. Despite the lack…, The Clean Water Act, Learn more about how the CWA affected how to address stormwater management drain, Common Pollutants, Information on various pollutants that can be found in stormwater runoff. , Waters of the State, The quality of lakes, rivers, and wetland areas is essential for supporting human lifestyles and wildlife. This program, the, Nationwide Urban Runoff Program, , was implemented from 1978 through 1982 and eventually led to the realization that stormwater runoff was a serious source of the pollution found in the nation's waterways. The results of the Urban Runoff Program led to the enactment of the, Water Quality Act, (WQA) of 1987. The WQA called for a phased approach to control the pollutants in stormwater runoff, which was to be implemented through the NPDES Program managed by the EPA. All stormwater runoff associated with land disturbing activities including Industrial and Construction activities, as well as municipal systems (MS4s), became required to obtain authorization before allowing runoff to…, Endangered Species Act, May affect stormwater management designs when dealing with downstream habitats of endangered species or habitats of endangered species currently residing onsite., National Environmental Policy Act, If a new source of discharge is established, environmental impact reviews must be conducted and approved before coverage is granted under the NPDES Program., National Historic Preservation Act, May affect stormwater management design when historical places are located onsite., Coastal Zone Management Act, Prohibits the issuance of NPDES permits for activities affecting land or water use in coastal zones unless the permit applicant certifies that the proposed activity complies with the State CZM Program.Greater than 2 Acres of Land Disturbance
South Carolina's NPDES Stormwater Program requires that anyone engaged in clearing, grading, and/or excavating activities that disturb more than 1 acre, including smaller sites in a Larger Common Plan of development or sale whose combined total disturbed area is more than 1 acre, to submit a Notice of Intent for permit coverage approval prior to beginning any land disturbing activities. In…, Construction Activities, Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities for construction activities., Less Than 1 Acre, Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities that disturb less than 1 Acre., Between 1-2 Acres, Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities that disturb 1.0 to 2.0 Acres of land. For those looking for additional information or help with acquiring NPDES Stormwater Coverage under the Construction General Permit, SCDES's, Stormwater Staff, is always available to answer questions about the implementation and the design of proper stormwater management plans. SCDES's website also provides numerous, design aids, ,, technical documents,, and, stormwater-associated links, that may assist in the development of a site-specific C-SWPPP., Coastal Counties, Requirements for projects located within the eight coastal counties are the same as the requirements for projects located outside of the coastal zone except for the inclusion of a Coastal Zone Consistency determination from, SCDES's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (DES-OCRM), . Heightened stormwater design requirements may also apply. A Coastal Zone Consistency submittal package must be submitted with requests for permit coverage for review by SCDES. Contact SCDES regarding Coastal Zone Consistency submittal requirements.1 to 2 Acres of Land Disturbance
South Carolina's NPDES Stormwater Program requires that anyone engaged in clearing, grading, and/or excavating activities that disturb between 1.0 acres and 2.0 acres, including smaller sites in a, Larger Common Plan, of development or sale, to obtain coverage under the state's, Construction General Permit, (CGP) prior to beginning any land disturbing activities. All construction activities disturbing 1 to 2 acres shall submit a simplified stormwater management and sediment control plan meeting the requirements of R.72-300. Because the project is greater than one acre, a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) is required. This SWPPP is a simplified version based on the 1-2 Acre SWPPP Template…, Coastal County Projects, Requirements for Projects within 1/2 mile of a Coastal Receiving Water (CRW) from 1.0 to 2.0 disturbed acres. Requirements for Projects NOT within 1/2 mile of a Coastal Receiving Water (CRW) from 1.0 to 2.0 disturbed acres., Non-Coastal County Projects, Requirements for Projects Outside the Coastal Area from 1.0 to 2.0 disturbed acres. For Projects located within an MS4 jurisdiction, the construction site plan and SWPPP document reviewed for compliance by the MS4 do not need to be submitted to SCDES in order to issue the permit coverage approval. All that is required is the completed NOI, a $125 Fee, and an approval letter from the MS4., Coastal Counties Only: , Projects located within one of the eight coastal counties require a Coastal Zone Consistency determination from, SCDES's Bureau of Coastal Management (SCDES BCM)., A Coastal Zone Consistency submittal package must be submitted with requests for permit coverage for review by SCDES BCM. Contact SCDES BCM regarding submittal requirements., Construction hat, Construction Activities, Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities for construction activities. Rulers, Less Than 1 Acre, Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities that disturb less than 1 Acre. drain, Greater Than 2 Acres, Information and Requirements on land-disturbing activities that disturb more than 2.0 Acres.Stormwater Links
The provided, Stormwater Links, below have been separated into three categories, Construction, Industrial, and MS4s, based on to which general permit the link most relates to., The links to non-DHEC organizations below are provided solely as a service. The links do not constitute an endorsement of these organizations or their programs. DHEC is not responsible for the content of the individual organization web pages found at these links., 401 Water Quality, Information on when and how to apply and obtain a 401 Water Quality Certification through SC DHEC., 303(d) & TMDLs, DHEC provided resources to determine the nearest water quality monitoring station and associated impacts and TMDLs., Funding Opportunities, EPA provided a list of funding opportunities for non-point source (stormwater) related projects., CEPSCI, Learn how to become a certified Stormwater Inspector in South Carolina., Corps of Engineers, Impacting wetlands or other waters of the state? Check with the USACOE to ensure that additional permits aren't required., Non-Metal Mineral Mining, Information on the NPDES Permit for Discharges from Non-metal Mineral Mining Facilities., Construction Stormwater Links, CSPR Certified Stormwater Plan Review Certification. Information on upcoming classes, tests, and a list of all certified Plan Reviewers. Acme Mapper 2.0 Internet Map Resource that can provide aerial, terrain, mapnik, and topo maps from either an address or lat/long coordinates. International Erosion Control Association The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is the world's oldest and…, Industrial Stormwater Links, EPA Industrial Stormwater Information on the Stormwater NPDES Permitting Program for industrial activities. categories of Industrial Activities Information on all identified categories of industrial activity that are required to be covered under an NPDES permit. No Exposure Certification If industrial materials and operations are not exposed to stormwater there may be the opportunity to be…, Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Links, EPA MS4 Information Information on the Stormwater NPDES Permitting Program for stormwater discharges from municipal separate storm sewer systems (MS4s). Menu of BMPs EPA's Menu of BMPs that is based on the Stormwater Phase II Rule's six minimum control measures. Information and definitions on BMPs can be found here. SCASM The SC Association of Stormwater Managers offers a listserve and training…DHEC Applauds Increased National and Statewide Recycling Efforts on America Recycles Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Nov. 15, 2022, COLUMBIA, S.C., — In observance of America Recycles Day, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is applauding national and statewide efforts to increase recycling and encourages residents to continue these trends so the Palmetto State can be a cleaner and safer place to live. America Recycles Day falls each year Nov. 15. “Numbers across the nation and here in South Carolina show…, said Myra Reece, DHEC’s Environmental Affairs director, . “We want that trend to continue and are committed to teaching residents the proper ways to recycle and the benefits of recycling so we can create cleaner communities across our state.” Data compiled by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) show that Americans recycled more than 69 million tons of waste in 2018. That amount is part of a decades-long increase, dating back to 1960 when…, said Reece, . “We encourage those who participate in recycling to spread the word to their friends and family, so we can continue seeing improvements that will make our communities and planet a better place for future generations.” Information on where to recycle near you can be found on DHEC’s Recycle Here page and additional information on recycling correctly can be found on DHEC’s residential recycling…DHEC Issues Recreational Water Advisory for a Cove on Lake Wylie due to Harmful Algae
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:, Nov. 4, 2022, COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) today issued a recreational water advisory for a small cove of Lake Wylie in York County after detecting the presence of a harmful algal bloom (HAB). DHEC was notified of a potential HAB by a resident on Oct. 25, 2022. In conjunction with the Catawba Riverkeeper, DHEC collected samples from Lake Wylie. A…DHEC and Carolina Human Reinvestment of South Carolina Promote Health, Environmental Benefits of Local Community Garden
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 4, 2022 PAWLEYS ISLAND, S.C. ― On Oct. 31, members of the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control’s (DHEC) Pee Dee Regional Leadership Team joined representatives from Carolina Human Reinvestment of South Carolina at the Carolina Human Reinvestment (CHR) Community Garden in Pawleys Island to showcase the benefits of community garden projects. …‘Lead Poisoning is Preventable’: DHEC Shares Important Information, Resources during National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 24, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― During National Lead Poisoning Prevention Week (Oct. 23-29) , the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages residents to learn the dangers of lead exposure and how to protect themselves and their families from it. Both DHEC’s Public Health division and Environmental Affairs division perform important work…, said Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Public Health Director., “The key is to educate parents and caregivers about preventing children from contact with lead and educating adults about possible lead exposure routes at home or at work. Because the symptoms of lead poisoning often initially go unnoticed, it’s important that we all focus on prevention in the first place.” Simple blood tests that check for lead levels are often performed by pediatricians during…, said Myra Reece, DHEC’s Director of Environmental Affairs., “That’s why, in addition to regulating public drinking water providers for safe water standards, we work to educate homeowners about protecting their drinking water from lead, which can include having their old plumbing components replaced.” Additionally, DHEC’s Bureau of Water oversees the state’s Lead Testing in Schools and Child Care Centers Program , which is funded through the U.S.…Clemson, DHEC expand food pantry and resource map to better help families facing food insecurity
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 18, 2022 CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson University College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, in partnership with the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Environmental Affairs, have created a statewide map showing food pantries in every county to aid families facing food insecurity. Nearly 490,000 people face hunger and food…, Hossfeld said., “A crisis such as the COVID-19 pandemic only makes clearer the need for good, reliable information on what type of help is available and where to find it. This map has been put in place to serve as a repository for that information.” This statewide map is an expansion of an Upstate map created by Clemson CBSHS, Ten at the Top, and the United Way of Pickens County two years ago. Karen Sprayberry,…, said Keisha Long, DHEC Environmental Justice Coordinator., “Participants have worked with Clemson CBSHS to confirm food availability within their communities. We are delighted that the Food Access Map is a key component of the EJ Strong project.” Brooke Brittain, associate director of food and nutrition security for CBSHS Clemson Rural Health, also envisions that health care providers, who screen for socioeconomic difficulties during patient…, Brittain said., “Our goal is to increase people’s access to food. This map is interactive and easy to navigate and shows resources in every single county in the state.” Also included on the map, which is housed on the CBSHS website, are DHEC locations and South Carolina Department of Social Services offices throughout the state. “The EJ Strong Food Access Map is an innovative tool that empowers communities by…, said Myra Reece, DHEC Director of Environmental Affairs., “I value the partnership between Clemson and DHEC and appreciate Clemson’s amazing commitment to serving communities across South Carolina.” Clemson students have worked to verify and update information on over 900 food pantries and food resources in the state. Food pantry entries not only include contact information and hours, but more detailed information about the need to bring ID or fill…, Gardner said., “In a time where we treasure individual success over community involvement and are less likely to know our neighbors than ever before, experiencing this collaboration with professionals committed to their community felt like a much-needed sign that we are still committed to looking out for one another.” The Food Access Map is a detailed, extensive resource, but it is by no means complete. It…, Established in 2016, the Clemson University College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences (CBSHS) is a 21st-century, land-grant college that combines work in seven schools and departments – Communication; Nursing; Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management; Political Science; Psychology; Public Health Sciences; and Sociology, Anthropology and Criminal Justice – to further its mission in “…DHEC Reopens Additional Shellfish Beds in Charleston County at Official Sunrise on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Oct. 14, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will reopen shellfish harvesting beds in Charleston County on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2022. "Water quality data indicate that bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting in Shellfish Management Area 11, which includes Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island, and…, said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section., “This shellfish management area will reopen at official sunrise on Saturday, October 15.” For more information on shellfish harvesting in your area, please visit https://des.sc.gov/community/environmental-sites-projects/pollution-advisories-monitoring/shellfish-bed-monitoring or contact your local DHEC Environmental Affairs Office in Myrtle Beach, Charleston, or Beaufort. ###