DHEC Environmental eNews
November 2021 | View as Webpage
DHEC continues to work with federal, state, and local partners as it responds to COVID-19 in South Carolina. As we remain committed to protecting the safety and health of the public during this ongoing pandemic, DHEC's Environmental Affairs staff is also focused on keeping our customers and stakeholders informed of important events, regulations, meetings, permitting information, and compliance information.
COVID-19 Vaccine Update

Carve out some time to get a vaccine this holiday season.

As we enter the Winter months, DHEC is encouraging residents to take effective safety measures that will allow them to enjoy the festivities while minimizing the risk of contracting or spreading COVID-19.

Please note: This holiday season, DHEC will be observing all official state holidays. Our offices and COVID-response operations will be closed on those days, though some DHEC vendor sites remain open. We strongly encourage residents get tested no later than the weekends before Thanksgiving and Christmas to receive results before the extended breaks.

Visit DHEC's Vax Locator to find vaccine sites near you.
Nonpoint Source Implementation Grants Lead to Successful Water Quality Improvement

The Bureau of Water's Nonpoint Source (NPS) program accepts proposals annually for implementing best management practices to improve waters that are on the Clean Water Act (CWA) section 303(d) list of impaired waters. Due to the rapid development within the May River Watershed (Bluffton, SC) over the past 20 years, rising fecal coliform bacteria levels have resulted in four shellfish stations being listed as impaired and therefore closed for shellfish harvesting. Multiple implementation projects have identified and addressed fecal contamination leading to water quality improvements. The improvements have resulted in the reopening of a shellfish harvesting area for the season beginning October 1, 2021.

Click here for the full 2021 Success Story.
Chris Corley Named Director of Lancaster/Rock Hill Regional Area

Chris Corley is now the Bureau of Environmental Health Services (BEHS) Area Director for the Lancaster/Rock Hill area, which includes Chester, Lancaster, and York counties. 

Chris has been part of Environmental Affairs for almost 20 years. He's worked in many environmental programs, including Bureau of Air Quality's stack testing and regulation planning, hazardous waste, emergency response, underground storage tanks, and private wells. He's also supervised teams in solid waste, drinking water, and rabies. 
Environmental Surveillance and Oversight Program 2021 Video 

The Environmental Surveillance and Oversight Program (ESOP) is debuting their newly released video highlighting their non-regulatory environmental monitoring efforts that are performed on and surrounding the Savannah River Site. ESOP is based out of the Midlands Aiken EA office and collects data on the levels of radioactive and non-radioactive chemicals present in air, water, biological, and terrestrial environmental media. 

Be on the lookout for the release of 2020 ESOP Annual Report coming soon. 
King Tides

In early November, astronomical conditions combined with a storm system brought exceptionally high tides to the South Carolina coast. These tides, commonly referred to as King Tides, pushed water levels just over 8.5 feet (above mean lower low water) in the Charleston Harbor. King Tide reports, submitted through DHEC’s MyCoast South Carolina application, documented the impacts of these extreme water levels along the coast from Myrtle Beach to Beaufort. Over 125 photographs were submitted by the public, capturing flooded roads, inundated marshes, and beach erosion. The latest King Tide reports and photos can be viewed online by visiting MyCoast. 
Onsite Wastewater Regulation Update

DHEC is proposing the amendment of R.61-56, Onsite Wastewater Systems, to clarify a definition and update procedures for subdivisions and variances.

The amendments will bring clarity to the regulation and streamline permitting procedures.
Beach Preservation Technical Advisory Committee

In partnership with the SC Beach Advocates and the SC Coastal Conservation League, DHEC OCRM has initiated a Technical Advisory Committee on South Carolina’s Policy of Beach Preservation. This stakeholder effort will allow the Department to receive valuable input from varied perspectives to improve our beachfront permitting decision-making process.
Join Our Team!
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 employs a wide range of environmental professionals from engineers and geologists to inspectors and meteorologists.
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