Report Beachfront Structural Damage from Hurricane Ian Using SC MyCoast
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Oct. 1, 2022, COLUMBIA, S.C., ― Once the storm has safely passed, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages coastal residents affected by Hurricane Ian to report damage to beachfront structures, including seawalls, revetments and dune walkovers using SC MyCoast . Residents using SC MyCoast’s Storm Witness report for the first time will need to register before submitting a report.…DHEC Reopens Most Shellfish Beds at Official Sunrise Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Oct. 1, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) will reopen most shellfish harvesting beds beginning at official sunrise, Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022, , the agency announced today. "The majority of shellfish harvesting areas will reopen at official sunrise on Sunday, Oct. 2, 2022. However, due to excessive rainfall totals due to Hurricane Ian, the following shellfish management areas will remain closed until water quality data indicate that bacteria levels are once again suitable for the harvesting of shellfish,”, said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section, . "The following shellfish management areas will remain closed: Shellfish Management Area 04 – Murrells Inlet in Georgetown County, Shellfish Management Area 05 – North Inlet and Winyah Bay in Georgetown County, Shellfish Management Area 10A – Folly Beach, Sol Legare Island, and Morris Island in Charleston County, and Shellfish Management Area 11 – Seabrook Island, Kiawah Island, and the Stono…DHEC Continues Pre-storm Efforts to Help Protect People, Environment from Hurricane Ian Impacts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sept. 29, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closely monitoring Hurricane Ian and preparing for its potential impact on South Carolina today and through the weekend. The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD ) is the state’s lead agency during a hurricane response, and DHEC has been staying in…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “DHEC has been taking the necessary steps to help limit the extent of those impacts and to protect the health and environment of South Carolina before, during and after the storm.” On Monday, DHEC began contacting the owners of all regulated dams and reservoirs in the state , advising them to take measures to ready their dam for potential heavy rainfall. DHEC used its emergency notification…DHEC Closes Shellfish Harvesting Beds Statewide Due To Forecasted Impacts of Hurricane Ian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Sept. 29, 2022, COLUMBIA, S.C., – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing all shellfish harvesting beds statewide due to Hurricane Ian and forecasted rainfall estimates, the agency announced today. "This closure goes into effect at official sunset today, Thursday September 29th, and affects all shellfish harvesting beds in the State of South Carolina,", said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section, . "The harvesting areas will be reopened once post-storm assessments are performed and water quality monitoring indicate bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting." For more information on shellfish harvesting in your area, please visit our website at https://des.sc.gov/community/environmental-sites-projects/pollution-advisories-monitoring/shellfish-bed-monitoring or…Dam, reservoir owners, operators should monitor the development of Hurricane Ian
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 26, 2022 COLUMBIA. S.C. — As Hurricane Ian’s track narrows, the potential for impacts in South Carolina become more likely. Owners and operators of reservoirs statewide can prepare by taking proactive steps to ready their dam for potential heavy rainfall. This may include clearing debris from spillways and assessing the water level to determine if lowering the level is…, said Jill Stewart, P.E., Director of DHEC’s Dam Safety and Stormwater Permitting Division., "In addition, coordinate any water release with other dam owners and/or property owners downstream that could be impacted. It is also important before and after the storm has passed to remove any accumulated trash and debris from spillways." Resources to help dam owners prepare for the approaching rainfall can be found under the “Preparing and Responding to Events at Your Dam” link on DHEC’s Dam…, Stewart said, . "If problems develop such that failure of the dam might be imminent, the owner or operator of the dam should first call 911, then contact downstream property owners and DHEC Dam Safety Program staff at 803-898-1939.” ###DHEC Holding Rapid Hire Events Seeking Onsite Wastewater Inspectors around the State
Join DHEC’s Environmental Health Services team, help protect public health and the environment , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 29, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― South Carolinians interested in a career that helps protect people’s health and the environment are encouraged to attend a, rapid hire event hosted by the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to recruit onsite wastewater inspectors. These full-time state-government positions include training, and inspectors will perform a combination of duties in the office and out in the field. , Onsite wastewater inspectors work within DHEC’s Bureau of Environmental Health Services to conduct inspections and evaluations of sites for the purposes of permitting septic systems, and ensuring they are compliant with state regulations. “The maintenance and upkeep of a septic system is the responsibility of the owner, but DHEC has an essential role in assuring these systems are properly…, said David Vaughan, Director of DHEC’s Division of Onsite Wastewater, Rabies Prevention and Enforcement., “A broken or improperly installed or maintained septic system can lead to serious health and environmental risks, and our onsite wastewater inspectors help keep those risks to a minimum.” DHEC currently has more than 20 open positions for onsite wastewater inspectors around the state. Rapid hire events during which interested individuals can learn more are taking place:, Spartanburg:, 10 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 1, DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Spartanburg Office, 151 East Wood Street, Spartanburg, Florence:, 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Florence Office, 145 East Cheves St., Florence, Columbia:, 10 a.m., Friday, Sept. 15, DHEC’s Environmental Affairs Columbia Office, 8500 Farrow Road, Columbia At the rapid hire events, individuals will take part in pre-screening questions and an interview., Applicants will be required to use a manual auger to bore a hole, so it’s important to dress accordingly. Qualified applicants will receive an on-the-spot conditional job offer., Applying ahead of time is encouraged, but not required. Online applications are available here:, Environmental Health Manager II, Natural Resource Technician III, A high school diploma and relevant work experience are required; an associate’s degree or bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred. These full-time positions are for 37.5 hours per week, include state employee health insurance and retirement, 15 vacation days and 15 sick days each year, and 13 paid holidays annually. Some travel is required. DHEC is an equal employment opportunity/…SC Adopt-a-Stream Program Celebrates Successes on Its 5th Anniversary, Seeks More Volunteers to Protect Local Waterways
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 16, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― The South Carolina Adopt-a-Stream volunteer program for monitoring water quality is celebrating five years of protecting waterways across the state. The program, which is supported by local volunteers who understand the importance of healthy watersheds, has had many successes over the past five years and looks to have many more in the future…, said Sierra Hylton, DHEC’s SC Adopt-a-Stream Program Coordinator., “Through free trainings and workshops, our volunteers learn how to collect samples and understand water quality data. Our volunteer data provides impressive quantitative results that help create partnerships at the local level for protecting and restoring waterways. In turn, our volunteers become conservation advocates within their communities.” Data collected by SC AAS volunteers have helped…, said Katie Callahan, director of Clemson University’s Center for Watershed Excellence., "More eyes and ears outside can share powerful observations that through programs like SC Adopt-a-Stream, activate local authorities when the threat of pollution is observed. Free trainings and a less complicated database of results and photos democratizes environmental health data and encourages more broad participation in the decisions that affect our communities. We at the Center are grateful…, Anderson County:, Volunteer Trey Burns began noticing elevated bacteria levels at his monitoring site in Hembree Creek. After recording numerous high-bacteria sampling events, Trey discovered a broken pipe near the stream. The appropriate local officials were notified and immediately responded to fix the pipe. This was an important discovery as Hembree Creek flows into Lake Hartwell, just above a source water…, Travelers Rest:, Volunteer Gerardo Naundorf noticed unusual odors and excessive sediment accumulating at a nearby stream. After notifying DHEC’s regional Environmental Affairs office, the property owner was contacted and was very grateful that the condition of that section of stream was brought to their attention. The property owner took the necessary actions to improve the water quality, including installing…, Gills Creek (Columbia):, Volunteer Trish Jerman with the Gills Creek Watershed Association noticed bacteria levels dropped to zero at one of her long-term monitoring sites and the water smelled of chlorine. SC AAS staff met Trish at her site, and local authorities were soon contacted after which a drinking water line break was found. Local officials quickly repaired the line, and subsequent testing at that site found the…, The SC AAS program, co-led by DHEC and CU CWE, is supported by many other organizations, including: Kalmia Gardens, Charleston Waterkeeper, Baruch Institute, Department of Natural Resources, NOAA, Coker University, USC Upstate Watershed Ecology Center, Clemson Cooperative Extensions, City of Greer Public Services, City of Rock Hill Public Works, Coastal Carolina University, Waccamaw Watershed…DHEC Accepting Grant Applications for ‘Champions of the Environment’ Project Funding for New School Year
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 16, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) announced today that the “Champions of the Environment” grant application period is open for the 2022-2023 school year. Kindergarten through 12th-grade teachers can now apply for grant funding to support classroom projects that build environmental awareness among students…, For the 2022-2023 school year, educators have until Sept. 30, 2022, to submit their applications, . Grants of $2,500 will be awarded this year, and merit awards of a lesser amount also may be presented to help get projects started. In addition to a cash award, grantees also have their projects highlighted on the Champions of the Environment webpage . Previous grant-funded projects include: Habitat restorations Weekly trash sweeps Pollinator gardens and wildlife oases Hydroponics and…, said Heather Reitenga from Ballentine Elementary School in Richland County, who previously received funding for a gardening project for her students., “We had many teachers come help us in their free time and it has been a very rewarding and therapeutic opportunity for kids and adults alike,”, said Dr. Deborah Ezell from Chesnee High School in Spartanburg County, who previously received funding for a sustainable ecosystem project., “The students’ sense of ownership and pride was very important in the success of the project. The students will never forget the meaning of sustainability and how they can make a difference because they participated in the creation of this teaching tool.” Champions of the Environment is sponsored by DHEC, Dominion Energy, and Sylvamo, with assistance from the Environmental Education Association…State Agencies Encourage Nominations for S.C. Environmental Awareness Award
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 19, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. ― South Carolina state agencies are seeking nominations for an award to recognize individuals who do extraordinary work advocating for our state’s natural environment. Nominations for the South Carolina Environmental Awareness Award are currently being accepted through Aug. 12, 2022. The South Carolina General Assembly established the South…DHEC Environmental Affairs Director Myra Reece Named President of National Environmental Council of the States
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 7, 2022 COLUMBIA, S.C. – Myra Reece, Director of Environmental Affairs for the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), has been named the new president of the Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) and is expected to serve in this role until fall 2023. “Director Reece is a thoughtful and collaborative leader who has dedicated her…, said Michael S. Regan, Administrator for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. , ECOS is a national nonprofit, nonpartisan association of state and territorial environmental agency leaders who work together to improve the capability of state environmental agencies to protect and improve human health and the environment of the United States of America. Myra Reece Headshot “We at DHEC recognize how valuable Myra’s leadership is every day for our great state, and we are proud…, said Dr. Edward Simmer, DHEC Director., “She will bring years of experience in advocating for the protection and promotion of natural resources to the national conversation.” Reece, who has been serving as the vice president since fall 2021, is assuming the leadership role early as the previous ECOS president, Ben Grumbles of Maryland, has accepted the position of ECOS Executive Director. “I am excited to continue working with this…, said Reece., “We see first-hand how state government plays a critical role in working together with our federal partners and each other on environmental issues shaping the national conversation.” Reece has been with DHEC for more than 30 years, serving in regional offices, then as Chief for the Bureau of Air Quality before being named Director of Environmental Affairs in 2016. She has served in leadership…