FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) received a 2024 Notable State Document Award from the S.C. State Library for development of the South Carolina Coastal Atlas, a public resource that provides valuable information about South Carolina’s coastal environment. SCDES received the award during a reception at the State…, SCDES's Bureau of Coastal Management was presented with a 2024 Notable State Document Award from the South Carolina State Library for the development of the S.C. Coastal Atlas web tool. Pictured from left to right are Jessica Boynton, SCDES Coastal Services Section Manager; Chris Yates, State Library Deputy Director; Lyndsey Davis, SCDES Coastal Services Project Manager; and Chris Stout, Chief of…, “We couldn’t be prouder to receive this celebrated recognition from the South Carolina State Library,”, said Chris Stout, Chief of SCDES’s Bureau of Coastal Management., “Not only does the Coastal Atlas provide easy-to-access data and information for the public, it includes a historical overview of how the state’s coastal environment has been protected over the years, as well as some pretty remarkable imagery of the South Carolina coast.” Users of the Coastal Atlas can navigate major milestones along the Coastal Management Program’s historical timeline, from the…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 19, 2025 COLUMBIA, S.C. – The WaterSC Water Resources Working Group will hold its next meeting on Thursday, March 20, 2025, from 1 p.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Cathy Novinger Girl Scout Leadership Center, 1107 Williams St., Columbia., The meeting will be livestreamed by SCETV on, scetv.org, ., A copy of the agenda and additional information are available at des.sc.gov/WaterSC . On Sept. 24, 2024, Governor Henry McMaster issued Executive Order 2024-22 , establishing the WaterSC Water Resources Working Group (WaterSC), with the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) serving as the lead agency of the initiative. WaterSC is working across state agencies and with key…
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Aug. 5, 2024 COLUMBIA, S.C. — Today, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) issued blanket emergency orders in the state’s eight coastal counties allowing property owners along the immediate beachfront to take preventive measures to protect their properties from impacts of Tropical Storm Debby. These, emergency orders, allow for minor renourishment, sand scraping and the installation of sandbags, with the goal of property owners having the ability to take proactive, pre-storm efforts to minimize impacts from the tropical storm. Work performed under the emergency orders is limited to those structures that are deemed in imminent danger from erosion per Critical Area Permitting Regulations, and includes both…, said Chris Stout, Chief of SCDES’s Bureau of Coastal Management. , SCDES also has issued an emergency order for marine debris removal to allow the general public to remove boats and debris from the critical areas of the state using all best practices and measures. The public should report waterway debris, including vessels and structures, to their local emergency management officials at the county or municipal level. SCDES continues to closely monitor…, MyCoast , web and mobile app. The information provided by the public will assist SCDES in prioritizing post-disaster damage assessment and coordination with coastal counties and municipalities. Property owners should also report damage to structures, including homes, to their local building officials. For the latest SCDES updates for Tropical Storm Debby, visit, des.sc.gov/debby, . Follow the South Carolina Department of Emergency Management for the latest storm information at, scemd.org, . ###
COLUMBIA, S.C. — Following Tropical Storm Debby’s landfall in South Carolina, the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is working with state and local partners to assess damages and impacts across the state. Below are important resources for residents as flooding from the storm is expected to affect South Carolina for the next several days. , Dam Safety Assessments , SCDES’s Dam Safety team is performing post-storm assessments of hundreds of high- and significant-hazard dams around the state. These post-storm assessments allow staff to observe whether any dam owners need to take immediate actions to help retain the structural integrity of their dams. Learn more about SCDES’s Dam Safety Program at, des.sc.gov/dams., , Inspectors with SCDES’s Dam Safety Program are continuing to perform post-storm assessments at high- and significant-hazard dams around the state to observe any impacts from Tropical Storm Debby that may need addressed by the dam owner., , Coastal Storm Impacts, SCDES’s Bureau of Coastal Management team is conducting assessments of damages to beachfront structures within the state's jurisdiction. Coastal residents are encouraged to report damage to beachfront structures, including homes, pools, seawalls, revetments, and dune walkovers, at , mycoast.org/sc, . This online portal helps SCDES collect and analyze pictures and data about coastal impacts from the storm so that issues can be quickly addressed. , Private Well Testing, A private well that’s been flooded can result in unsafe drinking water that could make you sick. It’s important to check the status of your well. Private well owners can call our Private Well Hotline at , 1-888-761-5989, for information about the steps they can take to test their well water or disinfect their well. Additional information is available at SCDES’s, Private Wells: What to Do Before and After Storms webpage., , Stay Out of Flood Waters, We continue to urge residents to not come into contact with flood water or standing water. Storm water contains harmful bacteria, wastewater, oil and fuel, urban runoff and other contaminants that can pose health risks to people and pets. Stormwater can also contain dangerous debris, so please avoid it. , Mold, If your home was flooded or damaged by water from Tropical Storm Debby, please be aware of mold that could be present on flooded floors, walls, furniture, appliances or clothing. Drying your home and removing water-damaged items within 24 to 48 hours is the most important step in stopping mold growth, damage and potential exposure. While SCDES doesn’t perform remediation for mold, residents can…, 1-888-815-3509, to receive information. For more information, visit our webpage on , indoor mold, . Click , here, to learn more about SCDES’s role in protecting people, property and the environment during hurricanes, floods, and other weather emergencies. ###
In 2024, the S.C. Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) was awarded a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a waste characterization study analyzing the type and amount of solid waste disposed of, and potentially recycled, in the state. MSW Consultants will perform the waste characterization study. They are a national leader in conducting all phases of large-…