DHEC recognizes Dam Safety Awareness Day
Dam Safety Awareness Day is observed nationally on May 31 every year to mark the anniversary of the, Johnstown Flood, , a flood that resulted from the 1889 failure of the South Fork Dam in Pennsylvania and caused the deaths of 2,208 people. This remains the third largest loss of civilian life in a single day in the United States behind the 1900 Galveston Hurricane and the 9/11/2001 terrorist attacks. It is fitting that the anniversary of this horrific event – which also happens to coincide with the start of…, New Tools of the Trade, , Drones:, Dam safety was an early adopter of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones as they are commonly referred to, within DHEC. Drones allow program staff to reach areas previously deemed unsafe or extremely difficult to access. They have the capability to collect high-resolution pictures, videos and elevation data. Topographic maps and 3-D models of ponds, dams and surrounding areas are generated…, Kelsy Grogan. , , Bathymetry:, Bathymetry is the technique of mapping the bottoms of ponds, lakes, rivers and the ocean. The program uses bathymetry equipment to create detailed 3-D models of the impoundment created by a dam. These 3-D models allow staff to create elevation-storage relationships for impoundments, including the maximum impoundment volume, which is a critical input for dam breach modeling. This capability…, Keeping the Public Informed, The data collected from UAV flights, bathymetric surveys and modeling not only are used by the Dam Safety team in decision-making, but the data also can provide valuable data to the public to further understanding and visualization of dam safety issues in South Carolina communities. The most recent spatial tool the program has explored is the use of ArcGIS Storymaps to display data in a…, storymap, for yourself!Visit SC State Parks this Earth Day: get out and enjoy the beautiful state we live in
A great way to see and appreciate South Carolina is to visit its State Parks. More than 90,000 acres of protected lands stretch from the mountains to the sea in our great state. South Carolina State Parks include natural, cultural, and recreational destinations. SC State parks encompass everything from cascading waterfalls, blackwater rivers, and miles of shoreline, to a zoo located in the…, Events at SC State Parks for Earth Day, Check out these events from South Carolina State Parks happening in honor of Earth Day. butterfly Join SC State Parks, Friday, April 21, from 6-8 p.m. at Sesquicentennial State Park, 9564 Two Notch Rd, Columbia, to celebrate Earth Day on a kid-friendly 2-mile hike! Learn more about how we can help take care of our planet. ? Hike designed for ages 6 & up. Adults must accompany children. Free…Choose Native Plants this spring for your garden
If you are considering doing some yardwork or gardening for Earth Day, our Environmental Affairs team encourages you to use South Carolina native plants. Many nurseries carry native plants, so please ask what is available at your favorite shopping location. Fire Pink (Silene virginica); photo courtesy of SC Native Plant Society, Why Native Plants?, Reasons to go with South Carolina native plants include: Native plants provide the best food sources for local wildlife when the native animals need them. Native plants won’t take over our woods and fields like kudzu and other invasive plants do. A well-functioning native plant community helps regulate flood waters, cool the air and filter pollutants. Native plants help pollinators, which are…Ideas for Investing in the Planet This Earth Day
The 2023 Earth Day theme is “Investing in the Planet.” Below is a list of resources that can help to guide you in making environmentally conscious investments through choosing green-certified companies, banks, and restaurants/ food products. Businesses can gain certifications that demonstrate their level of focus on sustainable and environmental/social justice causes:, 1% for the Planet, is a company that represents a global network of businesses, individuals, and nonprofit organizations tackling our planet’s most pressing environmental issues by putting people and the planet over profit. To browse businesses that you can support that are part of this global network of giving at least 1% of their annual sales or salary to environmental causes, visit https://www.…, B Corp Certifications, is a non-profit network transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities, and the planet as they measure a company’s entire social and environmental impact. Learn more about their certification process and browse companies with a B Corp Certification – https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us . An additional blog that contains a list of certifications that businesses can get that are…, Green Restaurant Association, is a “national non-profit organization that provides the only official Certified Green Restaurants® mark in the country. Since 1990, the GRA has pioneered the Green Restaurant® movement and has been the leading voice within the industry encouraging restaurants to listen to consumer demand to green their operations using transparent, science-based certification standards.” https://www.dinegreen.…, Sustainable Restaurant Association, – https://thesra.org/food-made-good-businesses/ Within seafood markets, you can use Fish Watch ( https://www.fishwatch.gov/profiles/all-profiles ) to look for all types of fish and water-based creatures. Below are two additional resources that help with defining sustainable fishing. Marine Stewardship Council – https://www.msc.org/what-we-are-doing/our-approach/what-is-sustainable-fishing…, **Disclaimer: None of the resources included are DHEC sponsored. Please use them to help guide your own research on how to make wise, sustainable investments.DHEC Dashboards Provide Data on Cancer, Life Expectancy, Air Quality and More
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 4, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has developed 12 online dashboards providing state- and county-level data on several important environmental and health topics. The S.C. Tracking Dashboards provide the public with available data, as well as trends over time. The S.C. Tracking Dashboards were created by…, Virginie Daguise, PhD, Director of DHEC’s Bureau of Chronic Disease and Injury Prevention., The dashboards cover the following: particulate matter in air, asthma, cancer, child lead, COPD, drinking water, heat-related illness, heart attack and stroke, life expectancy, Lyme disease, reproductive health, and unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning, plus a link to the National Environmental Public Health Tracking webpage managed by the CDC. The dashboards are updated at least annually, or…, said Katie O’Shields, DHEC’s Division Director of Epidemiology, Analysis & Data Visualization., “Having these data sources at your fingertips should help local governments, schools and higher-learning institutions, businesses, elected officials, and all types of organizations learn more about the ways environmental topics and human health are interconnected.” These dashboards also are an additional tool for DHEC and community partners to use as part of ongoing efforts to identify health…DHEC Launches New Vessel Turn-In Program to Help Relieve SC Coast of Abandoned Boats
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 1, 2024 CHARLESTON, S.C. – Abandoned and derelict boats are a chronic problem along South Carolina’s coast, negatively impacting marshes and coastal waters and creating hazards. Derelict boats are often old, neglected and in very poor condition. A new program is being piloted by the Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to prevent derelict boats from…, said Marian Page, Interim Bureau Chief of DHEC OCRM., “Abandoned boats threaten sensitive habitat, impact the safe recreational use of our waterways and detract from our state’s beautiful coastal landscape.” After applying, individuals will be notified if they’ve been accepted for the program and will be provided details for transporting their vessel to a drop-off site or having their vessel picked up by DHEC OCRM contractors. The vessels will be…, Page said., “These two pilot programs aim to protect natural resources and divert waste from landfills in our coastal communities.” The pilot programs are being funded through a Coastal Zone Enhancement grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Those interested in the VTIP pilot project should apply online at scdhec.gov/ADV and will need key pieces of information to complete the…, Interested applicants from any of the state’s eight coastal counties are encouraged to apply online by April 5, 2024, to be considered for the pilot VTIP, . Anyone with questions about the VTIP project can learn more at scdhec.gov/ADV or email chriscj@dhec.sc.gov. ###SUPERB Advisory Committee to Meet Feb. 26
OR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Feb. 21, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. -- The State Underground Petroleum Environmental Response Bank (SUPERB) Act Advisory Committee will meet on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, at 10 a.m. at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Office located at 2600 Bull St., Columbia. The agenda for the meeting is available at: UST Publications | SCDHEC Fore more…South Carolinians Reminded to 'Be Battery Smart' in Observation of National Battery Day
DHEC joined by S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs, Palmetto Poison Center in promoting the safe use and recycling of household batteries, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 16, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — In recognition of National Battery Day on Feb. 18, South Carolinians are encouraged to “Take Charge: Be Battery Smart” and learn about the importance of properly using and recycling common household batteries. Batteries are necessary for many household essentials and have become an essential part of everyday life. While household batteries…, said Richard Chesley, DHEC's Section Manager for the Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling., “Lithium-ion batteries, which are the most popular type of rechargeable battery, are especially easy to puncture and can cause fires in the home, garbage trucks, recycling centers, and landfills. We also want residents to know that batteries should be properly recycled to limit their potential harm to people and the environment.” Most South Carolina residents have opportunities to recycle…, said Carri Grube Lybarker, administrator and consumer advocate with the South Carolina Department of Consumer Affairs, . “Take stock of the batteries powering your devices, use and charge them properly, and recycle dead batteries and those from devices you are replacing.” Another critical focus of Be Battery Smart is educating the public about the choking hazards posed by small, shiny button batteries. Children are especially at risk for serious injury or even death if they swallow a button battery or put one…, said Dr. Jill Michels, a clinical pharmacist and director of the Palmetto Poison Center at University of South Carolina’s College of Pharmacy., “Children are curious by nature, and often try to discover how something may work. This may lead to the child discovering the battery and ingesting it. Parents need to be aware that any ingestion of a button battery is considered an emergency and children need to be taken immediately to the hospital for an x-ray and treatment. Button battery ingestion can be harmful at any age, so this applies to…, Chesley said. , “Take Charge: Be Battery Smart” is centered on household batteries. It’s important to note that businesses must follow all requirements for both large and small quantity hazardous waste generators. For more information, visit BeBatterySmart.com. ###DHEC Celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science, Welcomes Science-minded Individuals to Consider a Career with Environmental or Public Health Protection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 9, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is proud to celebrate International Day of Women and Girls in Science , which aims to promote full and equal access for women and girls to participate in science and technology education and careers. Feb. 11 marks the 9th annual day of this global recognition, which the…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “At DHEC, we are fortunate to employ many women who did pursue their love for science and use their knowledge and expertise every day to serve and protect South Carolinians in many ways – including our director of Environmental Affairs, director of Health Promotion and Services, director of Healthcare Quality, our Chief-of-Staff, Finance and Operations Chief, and Communications director.” Myra…, Myra said., “I encourage anyone, especially girls and women, to engage in one or more of the various fields of science, whether in or out of school. At DHEC, science-derived data are what inform our actions every day, to help us protect our great state’s irreplaceable air, water, and land resources.” Dr. Brannon Traxler, DHEC Director of Health Promotion and Services, is trained and board-certified in…, Dr. Traxler said., “The science backgrounds of DHEC’s nurses, epidemiologists, nutritionists, dieticians, data analysts, and clinical healthcare workers are what allow us to protect the wellbeing of South Carolinians. Getting involved in science is an incredible way to care for other people.” Gwendolyn Thompson, DHEC Director of Healthcare Quality, has been a DHEC employee for more than 30 years and has a…DHEC Salutes Law Enforcement Agents on National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 9, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― January 9 is National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day , and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) would like to thank the agency’s law enforcement agents – and all members of law enforcement – during this day of recognition. DHEC has two law enforcement units: the Bureau of Drug Control within the…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “On behalf of the agency, I’d like to thank our agents, and law enforcement officers across our state and nation, for their dedication to public service and to the protection of people, our communities, and our natural resources.” , DHEC’s Bureau of Drug Control (BDC), serves a regulatory role and enforces the South Carolina Controlled Substances Act. BDC agents are pharmacists who have undergone training through the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy to become state law enforcement officers. DHEC’s BDC agents: Conduct onsite inspections and audits of pharmacies, hospitals and practitioners to make sure they are properly recording, storing and handling controlled…, Office of Law Enforcement within DHEC’s Environmental Affairs, division are certified by the S.C. Criminal Justice Academy as Class 1 Police Officers commissioned by the S.C. Law Enforcement Division. They have statewide jurisdiction to conduct investigations, carry firearms, make arrests and execute and serve search warrants to gather evidence of environmental-related crimes. Additionally: Special investigators within the, Environmental Affairs’ Office of Criminal Investigations (OCI), investigate grossly negligent, willful and knowing violations of state and federal environmental criminal laws. These investigations generally involve criminal violations of the Hazardous Waste Management Act, the Pollution Control Act, Solid Waste Policy and Management Act, State Safe Drinking Water Act, and Infectious Waste Management Act, as well as other general and related crimes. …