Santee River Basin Council Meeting
The next Santee River Basin Council meeting has been scheduled for May 13, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM., The Council will meet in-person at the Old Santee Canal Park’s Learning Center in Moncks Corner, SC (Park address is 900 Stoney Landing Road, Moncks Corner, SC 29461 , but see Park Map for directions to the Learning Center). The meeting may be attended virtually as well. For meeting access information, please contact Scott Harder ( scott.harder@des.sc.gov ) or Alexis Modzelesky ( alexis.…Draft Saluda River Basin Plan Public Meeting
The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) invites residents to attend an upcoming meeting to review and provide comments about the draft Saluda River Basin Plan . Public input is an integral part of the development of the plan, which will help identify best management practices for ensuring the Saluda River basin has water resources available for all future users. The draft basin…, The public meeting is 6:15 p.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, May 29 at the Graham W. Rick Operations & Training Center, 560 Mauldin Road, Greenville. (, Directions via Google Maps, ). , Attendees are also welcome to arrive early for a walking tour of ReWa's new Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension, beginning at 5:15 PM. Please see the, public meeting flyer, for more information., The meeting is as an opportunity for the Saluda River Basin Council to solicit residents’ input about the draft plan. Public comments will be accepted from May 29 - June 30; instructions for submitting comments are available on the website.Protecting Air Quality: SCDES’s Daily Ozone Forecasts and What You Can Do to Help
know your ozone forecast As temperatures rise across South Carolina, so do concerns about ground-level ozone pollution. From April 1 through September 30, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) provides, daily ozone forecasts, to help residents stay informed and make healthy choices. Understanding Ground-Level Ozone , Ozone, is a colorless gas that forms when vehicle exhaust and other pollutants react with sunlight and heat. While ozone high in the atmosphere protects us from the sun’s ultraviolet rays, ground-level ozone can have negative health effects—especially for children, the elderly and individuals with respiratory conditions. "High ozone concentrations generally occur on hot, sunny days in the spring and…, said Rhonda Thompson, chief of SCDES’s Bureau of Air Quality, . “We issue our daily ozone forecasts to help South Carolinians make healthy decisions about outdoor activities during the summer when we feel the most impacts from ozone.” Stay Informed with EnviroFlash One of the best ways to stay updated on air quality conditions is through, EnviroFlash, , a tool that provides air quality forecasts and action day notifications via email. When ozone levels exceed the National Ambient Air Quality Standard, an action day is issued, advising residents—especially those with asthma or other respiratory conditions—to reduce outdoor activity. EnviroFlash is customizable, allowing you to receive alerts based on your location and needs. It is a joint…, https://www.enviroflash.info/, and receive air quality updates directly to your inbox. , How You Can Help Reduce Air Pollution , Reducing ozone pollution requires collective action. Here are a few simple ways you can help lower harmful emissions: ✅ Choose electric over gas-powered lawn equipment – Electric mowers and trimmers produce fewer emissions than gas-powered alternatives. ✅ Conserve energy – Reducing electricity use at home and work helps lower emissions from power plants. ✅ Avoid idling – Instead of waiting…SCDES Issues Recreational Water Watch for Lake Hartwell in Anderson County
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2025 , *UPDATED May 2, 2025, * COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) today issued a Recreational Water Watch for the entirety of Lake Hartwell in Anderson County after identifying the presence of a harmful algal bloom (HAB). SCDES was notified of a potential HAB by multiple residents of Lake Hartwell, prompting staff to collect samples from three lake locations near Brooks Drive,…, UPDATED RECOMMENDATION (May 1, 2025): While cyanotoxin concentrations associated with this HAB are low, current recommendations are to avoid direct contact with Lake Hartwell water in areas where the HAB is observed or expected and to keep pets and animals from swimming or drinking from the lake in these areas until the bloom has subsided., UPDATED (May 2, 2025):, Please see the Google Maps image below for areas where HABs have been detected and visit our, Algal Bloom Monitoring Map, , which is updated throughout the day. , SCDES has been coordinating and communicating with Anderson Regional Joint Water System, Pioneer Rural Water District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and representatives from neighboring Georgia. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are a common occurrence in natural bodies of water, most likely to occur in South Carolina in late spring to early fall when water temperatures are warmer and there is…Myra Reece Confirmed as Director of S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) by South Carolina Senate
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 1, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Senate officially confirmed Myra Reece as the first director of the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) . Director Reece was nominated for the position by Gov. Henry McMaster. Director Reece had been serving as interim director of SCDES since July 1, 2024, when it launched as a new state agency after a restructu ring of…, Director Reece said., “Through a commitment to Science, Service and Sustainability, our agency’s team of environment experts will continue to ensure South Carolina has clean and resilient air, land and water resources now and for generations to come.” Director Reece has served in leadership roles with the former DHEC for more than 30 years. She currently serves as Chair of WaterSC, as appointed by Governor McMaster,…SCDES to Host Open House for Introducing Saluda River Basin Plan
Plan outlines strategies for ensuring Saluda River basin maintains water resources for all current and future users , FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 2, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — The S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) and Saluda River Basin Council invite residents to attend an upcoming open house and presentatio n to review and provide comments about the draft Saluda River Basin Plan. Public input is an integral part of the plan, which will help identify best management practices that ensure an…, Saluda River Basin Plan Open House & Presentation, , 6:15 p.m.-8 p.m., Thursday, May 29, , ReWA, Graham W. Rich Operations and Training Center, , 560 Mauldin Road, Greenville, , Attendees are invited to arrive early at 5:15 p.m. for a walking tour of, , ReWa’s new Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension, The draft Saluda River Basin Plan includes an assessment of current and future water availability in the basin and documents water management strategies to help ensure water is available for all future uses in the basin for the next 50 years. The draft plan is available online at des.sc.gov/saludabasinplanning. The meeting is as an opportunity for the Saluda River Basin Council to solicit…South Carolina Government Drone Symposium Returns to Columbia
South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium (SCiDUC) to host second annual symposium focused on innovation and operational excellence., FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 5, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium (SCiDUC) is proud to announce its second annual statewide symposium, taking place June 11, 2025, at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center in Columbia, South Carolina. This year’s theme, "UAS Innovations: Safer, Faster, and More Effective," highlights how cutting-edge drone technologies…, Quotes, "The 2025 SCiDUC Symposium is about helping government agencies be faster, safer, and more effective through drone technology. We are bringing together the best ideas, the best equipment, and the best people to move South Carolina forward,", said Joe Burgett, Executive Director of SCiDUC., "This event is not just about what drones can do today, but about building partnerships that prepare us for what is coming next." "The SCiDUC Symposium is an exciting opportunity to learn, collaborate, and problem-solve together,", said Mark Jahnke, President of SCiDUC., "With live demonstrations, hands-on sessions, and deep discussions about regulatory changes and operational strategies, attendees will leave with the tools they need to build stronger drone programs for their agencies." "Drone technology is advancing quickly, and government agencies have an opportunity to lead,", said Sallie Williams, SCiDUC Board Member., "This symposium empowers public servants to embrace innovation while staying focused on public safety, efficiency, and community trust.", About SCiDUC, The South Carolina Interagency Drone Users Consortium (SCiDUC) is dedicated to advancing drone technology across South Carolina state and local government agencies. As a nonprofit managed by public employees, SCiDUC fosters a spirit of collaboration, innovation, and operational excellence to ensure drone programs are safe, effective, and transformative for public service., Additional Information, SCiDUC homepage: www.sciduc.org Symposium Homepage: www.sciduc.org/symposium2025 Symposium Schedule: www.sciduc.org/schedule Symposium Speakers: www.sciduc.org/symposium-speakers, For press inquiries or to request a press pass, please contact:, Joe Burgett jmburg@clemson.edu 864-722-2026CZC Review for Federal Funding Assistance
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Geographic Areas of Particular Concern for Coastal Zone Consistency