Frequently Asked Questions
Questions & Answers about new State Water Planning Framework and Edisto River Basin Planning Activities.South Carolina State Water Planning Framework
Guidance document for developing River Basin Plans for the eight major river basins in South Carolina., Framework and Addendums, South Carolina State Water Planning Framework, Revisions – Addendum 1, : This document describes major revisions to the South Carolina State Water Planning Framework since its initial publication in October 2019. Revisions are effective as of July 1st, 2021. To request additional information please contact Scott Harder (, scott.harder@des.sc.gov, )., Revisions – Addendum 2, : This document describes revisions to the boundaries of the eight planning basins in the State. Revisions are effective as of November 1st, 2022. To request additional information please contact Scott Harder (, scott.harder@des.sc.gov, ). planning basins mapWater Demand Projections
Water demand projections for a 50-year planning horizon will be used for assessing future water availability., Overview, Projections of future water use are critical to the planning process. In order to develop State and regional plans that effectively balance the economic, environmental and social needs of South Carolina for generations to come, estimates of future water demand are needed. In 2018, the collaborators, in cooperation with the United States Army Corps of Engineers and Clemson University’s South…, here, ), and will be first applied to water users in the Edisto River basin. For more information about the process for developing water demand projection methodologies, please visit the, Clemson Stakeholder Website, or contact Scott Harder (, scott.harder@des.sc.gov, ). , Water demand projections will be completed for a 50-year planning horizon for major water use categories including thermo-electric power, public water supply, manufacturing, and agricultural irrigation and for several other minor water use categories including golf courses, domestic water supply, and aquaculture. Water users and stakeholders in each of the eight river planning basins will have…, surface water models, and the, Coastal Plain groundwater models, to evaluate current and future water availability and will support the development of River Basin Plans.State and River Basin Planning
Under the new State Water Planning Framework, River Basin Plans will be developed for the eight major river basins in the State., Overview, In October, 2019 the SCDNR published the, South Carolina State Water Planning Framework, (Planning Framework) which details a new State and river basin planning process. The Planning Framework, developed under the guidance of the, South Carolina Planning Process Advisory Committee, (PPAC), describes how River Basin Plans will be developed for the, State’s eight planning basins, and how these plans will be used to develop a new State Water Plan. River Basin Plans will be developed over a 50-year planning horizon for the eight planning basins in the State – Broad, Catawba, Edisto, Lower Savannah-Salkehatchie, Pee Dee, Saluda, Santee, and Upper Savannah (planning basin boundaries were updated in 2022 for the Saluda, Salkehatchie, Santee, and Savannah basins). Each River…, Edisto River basin, was selected as the first basin for applying the river basin planning process outlined in the Planning Framework. The Edisto RBC was appointed in 2020, and a final River Basin Plan is scheduled for release in early 2023. RBCs for the, Broad, and, Pee Dee, basins were appointed in 2022, and planning activities in those basins are ongoing. Planning activities for the Saluda basin began in fall 2022, with formal RBC meetings beginning early next year. Over the next several years, the process for completing River Basin Plans in the other four planning basins will be initiated depending on available funding. Once the eight River Basin Plans are…, here, . SC Major Basins imageDHEC Reopens Additional Shellfish Beds Effective Immediately on Jan. 4
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Jan. 4, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is immediately reopening additional shellfish harvesting beds, the agency announced today. "Several additional shellfish harvesting areas are now reopened, however, some shellfish management areas need to remain closed until water quality data indicate that bacteria…, said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section. , The following areas are now reopened: , Georgetown County Shellfish Management Area 04 - Murrells Inlet Charleston County Shellfish Management Area 6B - McClellanville/Cape Romain Harbor/Cape Island Shellfish Management Area 7 - Bulls Bay , The following areas currently remain closed: , Shellfish Management Area 8 - Bull Island/Capers Island/Isle of Palms Shellfish Management Area 9A - Isle of Palms/Hamlin Sound/Sullivans Island DHEC has communicated these additional reopenings and remaining closures to the state's shellfish dealers and permit holders and is updating the online closure map, webpages, and shellfish hotline. For additional information, visit scdhec.gov/shellfish…DHEC Reopens Portions of Shellfish Beds Effective Immediately on Dec. 29
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 29, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is immediately reopening portions of shellfish harvesting beds, the agency announced today. "Several sections of shellfish harvesting areas are now reopened, however, some shellfish management areas need to remain closed until water quality data indicate that bacteria…, said Mike Marshall, Manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section. , The following areas are now reopened as indicated below:, Georgetown County, Shellfish Management Area 4 - Murrells Inlet is reopened North of the Murrells Inlet Jetty but all Southern portions will remain closed Shellfish Management Area 5 - North Inlet is reopened except in Winyah Bay Shellfish Management Area 6A - North and South Santee are reopened, Charleston County, Shellfish Management Area 6B - McClellanville/Cape Romain Harbor/Cape Island are reopened, except portions of Shrine Creek, DuPre Creek, Clubhouse Creek, and Congaree Boat Creek, The following areas currently remain closed:, Shellfish Management Area 7 - Bulls Bay Shellfish Management Area 8 - Bull Island/Capers Island/Isle of Palms Shellfish Management Area 9A - Isle of Palms/Hamlin Sound/Sullivans Island DHEC has communicated these reopenings and closures to our state's shellfish dealers and permit holders and is updating our online closure map, webpages, and shellfish hotline with the latest information. For…DHEC Encourages Residents to Reduce Food Waste, Recycle Properly throughout Holiday Season
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Dec. 18, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages residents to be good stewards of the environment this holiday season by properly recycling and helping reduce food waste. Celebrations this time of year tend to also include giftwrap, packaging, decorations and other items that increase amounts of household…, Richard Chesley, DHEC's Section Manager for the Office of Solid Waste Reduction & Recycling., “We encourage all South Carolinians to be conservative in how much food they purchase to prevent food waste and to do the same with giftwrapping paper and other items used during the holidays.” The Don’t Waste Food SC public education campaign, which is coordinated by DHEC, the S.C. Department of Commerce and many ambassadors around the state, provides helpful resources for directing food waste…, Meal planning., Only buying the amount of ingredients you need for each dish helps reduce food waste. , Do a head count., Knowing how many people to prepare food for helps reduce the amount of prepared but unneeded food. , Reusable containers for leftovers., Send your guests home with leftovers in a reusable container. This helps eliminate single-use materials like plastic wrap and keeps large quantities of food from going unused and spoiling in your fridge. , Composting., If you can’t donate or reuse your leftovers, another option is composting. Sending food waste to a composting facility or composting at home can improve soil health and structure, increase water retention, support native plants and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. DHEC provides composting tips at scdhec.gov/recycling. To help cut back on the amount of household waste that’s…, Make sure to recycle right., Putting the wrong thing in the recycling bin is called “contamination.” If a load of recyclables has too much contamination, it gets thrown away instead of being recycled., Know what is recyclable., What you can recycle at work may be different from what you can recycle at home, or what you can recycle if you’re visiting someone in a different county. Take a minute to learn what’s accepted for recycling wherever you are by visiting scdhec.gov/RecycleHereSC., Be mindful of hard-to-manage items., Some common items like lithium-ion batteries, electronics, and household hazardous waste can be recycled but should not go into your recycling bin. These items require specially handling to make sure they don’t hurt people or the environment. For help with these items, visit DHEC’s webpage about recycling hard-to-manage items or call 1-800-768-7348 . For more info on safely handling and recycling…, Keep it clean., Make sure items you recycle are empty and relatively clean. No liquids, food or residue should go in your recycling bin., Reducing and reusing support recycling., Recycling can be supported by reducing the amount of household waste that’s generated and by reusing or repurposing items. More information about local recycling programs, proper recycling tips, and food waste reduction efforts are all available on South Carolina’s Recycle Right SC campaign page . ###DHEC Closes Shellfish Harvesting Locations in Charleston and Georgetown Counties due to Excessive Rainfall
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 18, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) is closing multiple shellfish harvesting beds in Charleston and Georgetown counties due to excessive rainfall, the agency announced today. Harvesting areas temporarily closed are:, Georgetown County, Shellfish Management Area 4 - Murrells Inlet Shellfish Management Area 5 - North Inlet Shellfish Management Area 6A - North and South Santee, Charleston County, Shellfish Management Area 6B - McClellanville/Cape Romain Harbor/Cape Island Shellfish Management Area 7 - Bulls Bay Shellfish Management Area 8 - Bull Island/Capers Island/Isle of Palms Shellfish Management Area 9A - Isle of Palms/ Hamlin Sound/Sullivans Island "These temporary closures go into effect at official sunset today, December 18,", said Mike Marshall, manager of DHEC's Shellfish Sanitation Section., "These harvesting areas will be evaluated and reopened once water quality data indicate bacteria levels are once again suitable for shellfish harvesting." For more information about these clam and oyster harvesting areas, please visit scdhec.gov/shellfish or contact your local DHEC Environmental Affairs Office in Charleston or Beaufort counties…S.C. Mining Council to Meet December 6, 2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 4, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Mining Council will meet at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 6, in Board Room No. 3420 of the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, 2600 Bull Street, in Columbia. The agenda is available here . ###DHEC Asks South Carolinians to be Thankful, Not Wasteful, this Thanksgiving
HEC offers tips for limiting food waste, donating to food banks, and handling food safely , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Nov. 20, 2023 COLUMBIA, S.C. — No holiday is more associated with food and leftovers than Thanksgiving. In advance of the upcoming holiday, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) encourages South Carolinians to help reduce the amount of food that gets discarded this holiday. Food waste is the number one item thrown away by Americans every…, said Adah Gorton, DHEC Food Waste Prevention Specialist., “One in ten South Carolinians, including more than 140,000 children, face hunger. Anyone fortunate enough to have leftover food this Thanksgiving can visit our Don’t Waste Food SC webpage to find food donation programs in their community.” Other ways to cut back on food and food-packaging waste include: , Meal planning, . Only buying the amount of ingredients you need for each dish helps reduce food waste. , Do a head count., Knowing how many people to prepare food for helps reduce the amount of prepared but unneeded food. , Reusable containers for leftovers, . Send your guests home with leftovers in a reusable container. This helps eliminate single-use materials like plastic wrap and keeps large quantities of food from going unused and spoiling in your fridge. , Composting, . If you can’t donate or reuse your leftovers, another option is composting. Sending food waste to a composting facility or composting at home can improve soil health and structure, increase water retention, support native plants and reduce the need for fertilizers and pesticides. DHEC provides composting tips at scdhec.gov/recycling. Additionally, DHEC reminds South Carolinians to handle food…, Salmonella, ,, Clostridium, perfringens,, Campylobacter, and other germs. Below are several important food-safety tips. , Wash your hands., Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after handling turkey or other raw meats. Also wash cutting boards, utensils, dishes and countertops with hot soapy water after preparing raw turkey and before you prepare the next item. , Don’t buy the bird too early., If you bought your turkey fresh, keep it in the refrigerator and cook it within one to two days. If you bought your turkey frozen, to thaw it safely in the refrigerator, allow for a thaw rate of 4-5 pounds per day. Learn more safe thawing recommendations here . , Safely cook your turkey., It’s important to make sure a turkey has reached a safe internal temperature of 165° F before serving, and to make sure stuffing is fully cooked as well. Learn more here . , Turkey frying., Never put a frozen turkey in the deep fryer. When working with large amounts of hot oil, select a cooking vessel large enough to completely submerge the turkey without it spilling over. Select a safe location outdoors for deep frying a turkey, and never leave the hot oil unattended. More tips are available here . , Monitor your leftovers., After dinner, remember to follow the two-hour rule. For safety, do not leave turkey or other perishable foods sitting out at room temperature longer than two hours. Refrigerate your leftovers at 40° F or colder as soon as possible to prevent food poisoning. , Eating out, . If eating out, look for the “A” rating from DHEC. The A rating indicates the restaurant met high standards for cleanliness and food safety. Also, scan the QR code on the decal (most now have them) to learn the restaurant’s inspection history before you eat there. Another important holiday reminder is to properly dispose of cooking oil. Pouring cooking fats, oils and greases down the drain can…