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. | |
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Hurricane Ian
When hurricanes, floods and weather emergencies like Hurricane Ian threaten our state, DHEC is available as a partner in preparedness for many of our public utilities, industries and communities. Our team is available to provide technical support to water and wastewater facilities, including those with regulated dams. Communication is of utmost importance during these events. Please do not hesitate to contact us if needed. Many of our regulated facilities have received emails from the Department encouraging them to use the Palmetto system to communicate their operational status. We are here to assist! Be safe and together we will weather this storm too.
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Environmental Council of the States Fall Meeting | |
Last week, Myra Reece, Director of Environmental Affairs, lead the Fall 2022 Environmental Council of the States (ECOS) member meeting in Park City, UT. ECOS works to improve the capability of state environmental agencies and their leaders to protect and improve human health and the environment of the United States of America. During the meeting, states discussed national topics like PFAS, resiliency, cyber security, infrastructure, and environmental justice. Additionally, Reece hosted a dialogue about state-federal leadership with the Honorable Janet McCabe, Deputy Administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. During the meeting, the membership re-elected Ms. Reece as their president for 2022-2023. | |
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National Farm Safety & Health Week
DHEC helps to ensure that farmers are providing citizens with safe food products by regulating and doing lab analyses on Grade A Dairy facilities that produce, haul, process, package, and distribute milk and milk products. September 20-26 is National Farm Safety and Health Week. While farmers are focused on safe farming practices, DHEC encourages the public to practice healthy food preparation habits when farmed products are brought to their table.
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Chemical Accident Prevention/Risk Management Program Regulation
EPA has proposed updates to the Chemical Accident Prevention/Risk Management Program regulation. The proposed rule updates were published in the Federal Register on August 31, 2022. The comment period is open through October 31, 2022.
Click here for additional information.
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Notice of Proposed Regulation Amending Regulation 61-62, Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards
The department proposes amending R.61-62.60, South Carolina Designated Facility Plan and New Source Performance Standards, and R.61-62.63, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Source Categories, to incorporate by reference federal amendments promulgated from January 1, 2021, through December 31, 2021. The department proposes amending R.61-62.70, Title V Operating Permit Program, to correct an error in an earlier amendment as required by the EPA to maintain compliance with federal law. The department also proposes other changes to R.61-62, Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards, as deemed necessary to maintain compliance with federal law. These changes may include corrections or other changes for internal consistency, clarification, reference, punctuation, codification, formatting, spelling, and overall improvement to the text of R.61-62.
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Notice of Proposed Regulation Amending Regulation 61-58, State Primary Drinking Water Regulations
R.61-58 through R.61-58.17 are collectively known as the State Primary Drinking Water Regulations. These regulations set design, construction, operation, maintenance, and water quality standards for public water systems in the state. The department proposes amending R.61-58 to adopt federal regulations commonly referred to as the Lead and Copper Rule Revisions, which were promulgated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) in a final rule published in the Federal Register on January 15, 2021 (86 FR 4198). These amendments include new and/or revised requirements for lead service line inventories, public education and outreach, and testing for lead in drinking water at schools and child care facilities.
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Notice of Proposed Regulation Amending Regulation 61-9, Water Pollution Control Permits
Regulation 61-9.122.23, Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), provides the definition of a CAFO and provides the National Discharge Pollution Elimination System (NPDES) permitting requirements for CAFOs. The department proposes amending R.61-9.122.23 to maintain consistency with the current federal regulation in Title 40, Part 122 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40 CFR Part 122), Subpart B, Section 23, Concentrated animal feeding operations.
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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. | | | | | |
