Air Quality - Monitoring and Reporting Guidance

What Does the Technical Management Section (TMS) Look for in Reporting?

The TMS looks for four basic elements in reporting: timeliness, completeness, accuracy, and compliance status.

Timeliness - Most periodic reports must be postmarked no later than 30 days after the end of the reporting period. TVACC's must be postmarked no later than 45 days after the end of the reporting period.

Completeness - The facility must submit all of the data required by the permit condition, in the correct format.

Air Dispersion Modeling Overview

Overview

As part of the air permitting process, facilities in South Carolina are required to demonstrate that the emissions coming from their sources will not cause the violation of any applicable South Carolina air pollution control regulations or standards. It is a required part of many air construction permits (including all Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD) construction permits) and some Title V, conditional major, and state operating permits and renewals.

Air Quality - Monitoring and Reporting Forms

The following forms were created to assist facilities with reporting required by construction or operating permits. Use of these forms is not mandatory. These forms are intended for guidance purposes only and may not be applicable to all facilities. Some forms require manipulation so that spreadsheets represent materials used at your facility.

Please click on the check marks to download the desired form in the table below.

Form Name

Form

Who Needs an Agricultural Permit and Who Is Exempted

New or Expanding Facilities

New or expanding facilities with 10,000 lbs. of normal production animal live weight or less, that do not have a lagoon, storage pond or other treatment system, are excluded from obtaining a permit but must have and implement an  Animal Facility Management Plan (AFMP) that complies with the regulation. The AFMP is not submitted to DHEC. However, a permit may be required on a case by case basis.

Summaries for Agriculture Laws and Regulations

Summary of Agricultural Laws

SC Pollution Control Act

The SC Pollution Control Act (PCA) is the basis of South Carolina's water pollution control and water quality protection programs. It establishes the Department of Health and Environmental Control (Department) as the state agency responsible for environmental matters. The law empowers the Department to hold hearings, promulgate regulations, require permits, conduct monitoring, and take enforcement actions among other things.

Suggested Procedures for Closeout of Agricultural Waste Lagoons

  1. The lagoon liquid effluent and sludge accumulation should be removed. All of these waste products must be removed for close-out. The lagoon should be agitated and pumped out for land application. The wastewater must be analyzed for nutrient content and applied to agricultural fields at an agronomic rate. NRCS or a private engineer may prepare a close-out plan. This plan should include all information on clean-out procedures, application rates and land application sites.

Setback Requirements for Small Swine Facilities

Barns, Stables, Pens or Growing Houses (not including lagoon, storage pond, or waste utilization areas)

Wells

  • Human Drinking Water Wells - 200 feet (excluding the applicants which must be 50 feet)
  • Irrigation Wells (including animal drinking water wells) - 50 feet (per Reg. 61-71) 

Ditches except site drainage:

  • which drain to waters of the state including ephemeral and intermittent streams - 100 feet

Residences/Property Lines

Setback Requirements for Large Swine Facilities with Less Than 1,000,000 Pounds

Barns, Stables, Pens or Growing Houses (not including lagoon, storage pond, or waste utilization areas)

Wells

  • Human Drinking Water Wells - 200 feet (excluding the applicants which must be 50 feet)
  • Irrigation Wells (including animal drinking water wells) - 50 feet

Ditches except site drainage:

  • which drain to waters of the state including ephemeral and intermittent streams - 100 feet

Property Lines 

Setbacks Requirements for Large Swine Facilities with 1,000,000 Pounds or More

Barns, Stables, Pens or Growing Houses (not including lagoon, storage pond, or waste utilization areas)

Wells

  • Human Drinking Water Wells - 1,750 feet (excluding the applicants which must be 100 feet)
  • Irrigation wells (including animal drinking water wells - 100 feet

Ditches except site drainage:

  • which drain to waters of the state including ephemeral and intermittent streams - 100 feet

Residence/ Property Line (excluding the applicants residence) - 1,750 feet