This monthly electronic newsletter from DHEC's Environmental Affairs will keep our customers and stakeholders informed of important events, legislation, meetings, permitting information, and compliance information. | |
In May 2022, Dominion Energy began landside operations on the eastern side of the Congaree River in preparation for the removal of tar-like material (TLM) downstream of the Gervais Street Bridge. Construction of the rock base cofferdam for Area 1 was completed in July 2022. By fall 2022, Dominion Energy will armor the cofferdam with a concrete fabriform mat, drain Area 1, relocate mussels from the enclosed area, and survey Area 1 for any unexploded ordnance from Civil War-era munitions. Removal of the TLM is expected to begin in May 2023. To protect public safety, access to the river in this area is restricted and security of the site is being enforced for the duration of the cleanup. | | | |
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Supporting our Recycling Industry
DHEC’s Bureau of Land & Waste Management is coordinating with partners to assist those in the business of recycling to further state recycling goals with two upcoming events. On September 7, DHEC in partnership with the SC Department of Commerce, the SC Recyclers Association (SCRA) and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries-Southeast Region (ISRI) will host a free webinar for SC recycling businesses on Hazard Recognition: Fire Safety and Prevention, to recognize typical causes of fires, share methods for fire prevention and control and consider how to better inform and educate consumers. Then, on September 27, DHEC with the SC Department of Commerce and Palmetto Pride will reconvene the SC Scrap Tire Sustainability Coalition. With our state as a leader in tire manufacturing, this group will bring together diverse stakeholders from industry to local government to share knowledge, coordinate resources and work together to help South Carolina improve the safe and efficient end-of-life management of scrap tires Rosemont.
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Smart Septic Week
EPA’s SmartSeptic Week is coming up on September 19-23 ! DHEC’s Onsite Wastewater team recently revealed a new webpage devoted to resources for septic tanks. Prepare for SmartSeptic Week by exploring the new webpage to learn best management practices and conveniently fill out an application packet for new and upgraded Onsite Wastewater Systems. You can search for a soil classifier or licensed septic contractor. Most importantly, reference the updated Onsite Wastewater Regulations (Reg. 61-56) to make sure you and your business are operating in accordance with the current regulations.
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Champions of the Environment
DHEC’s Champions of the Environment program awards grants to K-12 schools for projects that protect the natural world and expand environmental awareness. The grant application period is open through September 30, 2022. Grant winners will receive a cash award of $2,500 and be featured on DHEC’s Champions webpage. Champions of the Environment is sponsored by DHEC, Dominion Energy, and Sylvamo, with assistance from the Environmental Education Association of South Carolina. Visit our webpage to apply and for more information.
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Nonpoint Source Program Grant
DHEC’s Nonpoint Source program offers grants for watershed planning to address surface water pollutants that impact source water for drinking water systems. Eligible applicants include state agencies, local governments, public universities, soil and water conservation districts, regional planning commissions, watershed organizations, and nonprofit organizations. To be considered for funding, proposals must address surface water pollutants that impact source water for drinking water systems and include, at a minimum, EPA’s nine required elements. The grant period is open through September 15, 2022. For more information visit the WBP Development Grant page.
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Environmental Affairs Interns
Environmental Affairs is happy to welcome two interns, Beata Dewitt and Ronald Willis, who are assisting with Environmental Justice (EJ) and community-based tools.
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Beata develops and edits various EJ communication tools (e.g., brochures, SharePoint sites, How-To guides, etc.) and assists with EJ training workshops, particularly the EJ Strong project.
She helps produce and organize the EJ Strong training materials, supports the virtual workshops, and assembles and distributes relevant training documents. Beata recently graduated from Benedict College with a degree in Public Health. She will be starting graduate school this fall at the University of South Carolina (U of SC) Arnold School of Public Health to study Environmental Health Sciences.
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Master’s student Ronald Willis is pursuing a second career in environmental health sciences (U of SC) to address the impacts of human behaviors on the environment. He is developing and beta testing a community-based EJ GIS tool. This interactive tool will display data, maps, and other resources (i.e., hazardous waste sites, regulated dams, Opportunity Zone designations, food networks, etc.) which can inform decision makers at DHEC and aid community's revitalization efforts. Ultimately this tool will be an important application to help identify areas of the state that not only are experiencing service gaps but also qualify for available resources. | |
The Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) proposes this Notice of Proposed Regulation for new regulation R.61-107.20, Solar Energy Systems. BLWM proposes new regulation R.61-107.20, Solar Energy Systems, to create basic guidelines for large solar energy systems to facilitate proper disposal of PV modules and accompanying equipment. The new regulation is designed to establish a permitting requirement, and require that all large solar energy systems have a decommissioning plan, which includes financial assurance, removal of PV modules and accompanying equipment, and remediation of the land, if necessary. | |
The Bureau of Water (BOW) proposes a Notice of Proposed Regulation amending R.61-68, Water Classifications and Standards. Section 303(c)(2)(B) of the federal Clean Water Act (“CWA”) requires South Carolina’s water quality standards be reviewed and revised, where necessary, at least once every three years. Referred to as the triennial review, this required process consists of reviewing and adopting, where appropriate, the Environmental Protection Agency’s updated numeric and narrative criteria according to Section 304(a) and Section 307(a) of the CWA. | |
BOW proposes a Notice of Proposed Regulation amending R.61-69, Classified Waters. R.61-69 establishes South Carolina’s site-specific water quality standards and provides a listing of all named and specific unnamed waterbodies, their classifications, and locations. The Bureau proposes amending R.61-69 to clarify and correct, as needed, waterbody names, counties, classes, and descriptions. The Bureau also proposes stylistic changes for overall improvement of the text of the regulation. | |
As the state agency charged with promoting and protecting South Carolina's public health and environment, DHEC has a legacy of attracting and retaining talented individuals who want to build rewarding and successful careers. DHEC's Environmental Affairs employs a wide range of environmental professionals from engineers and geologists to inspectors and meteorologists. | | | | | |
