Public Asked to Provide Input on Water Resource Planning
on Jan. 7 WaterSC Listening Session
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Residents are encouraged to attend a Jan. 7 WaterSC listening session and provide input about the management of water resources in South Carolina.
Governor Henry McMaster established the WaterSC Water Resources Working Group on Sept. 24, 2024, with SCDES serving as the lead agency of the initiative. The working group most recently met on Dec. 12, during which participants discussed the state of surface water in South Carolina with insightful presentations from experts like Hope Mizzell, South Carolina State Climatologist.
The upcoming listening session will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 7, at the Phillips Market Center, located at 117 Ballard Court in West Columbia. The session will begin with an open house at 4 p.m., during which attendees can learn more about issues associated with water planning in South Carolina. Attendees will then be able to voice input directly to WaterSC members during the 6 p.m. public comment portion of the session. Residents can submit questions or comments at any time to the WaterSC Resources Working Group by emailing WaterSC@des.sc.gov or completing our online form.
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EJ Members Present at Environmental Health Event
Members of SCDES’s Environmental Justice (EJ) Program participated in the 78th Interstate Environmental Health Seminar. Beata Dewitt, Chaquetta Green, and Keisha Long, presented on the South Carolina Smart Surfaces Initiative. They were joined by ML Tanner, Program Manager for the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Program with the South Carolina Department of Public Health.
This seminar brought together representatives from member states -- including Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia -- as an opportunity for environmental health leaders to share insights and strategies to advance regional public health initiatives.
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SCDES at Farm and Forestry Recovery Resource Day
Myra Reece, SCDES Interim Director, and Rob Devlin, Assistant Chief with the Bureau of Water, attended the Farm and Forest Recovery Resource Day event in Myrtle Beach to help provide resources to farmers and foresters affected by recent storms, including information about storm debris management and test kits for the sampling of private drinking water well. Information was also provided to dam owners whose dams were impacted by the storm.
SCDES was one of several state agencies participating in the event, which was the last of three similar ones held around the state.
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Public Meeting to Introduce Draft Pee Dee River Basin Plan
SCDES invites residents to attend an upcoming meeting to review and provide comments about the draft Pee Dee River Basin Plan.
Public input is an integral part of the development of the plan, which will help identify best management practices for ensuring the Pee Dee River basin has water resources available for all future users.
The public meeting is 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 14, 2025, at the Clemson Pee Dee Research and Education Center, 2200 Pocket Road, Darlington. Public comments will be accepted from Jan. 14, 2024, - Feb. 13, 2025. Visit des.sc.gov/hydrology.
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SCDES Welcomed South Carolina Asphalt Association
SCDES welcomed Jayson Jordan, Executive Director of the South Carolina Asphalt Pavement Association (SCAPA), and members of the association’s Emerging Leaders Institute.
SCAPA leaders met with our agency leadership to discuss environmental permitting, improved industry practices and use of recycled products. The group identified opportunities for continued learning and strengthened partnerships for the road ahead.
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Permit Central Workshop Offers Collaboration
SCDES held its second Permit Central Coastal Workshop, during which partners and stakeholders discussed improvements to environmental permitting processes. These workshops help SCDES collaborate with our partners from business, environmental and construction firms, engineers, state agencies and local government representatives with the goal of taking a unified approach to coastal management.
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DERA AWARD WINNERS: SCDES announced five winners of this year's Diesel Emissions Reductions Act (DERA) Grant Awards: City of Columbia; Palmetto Propane, Fuels, and Ice; Providence Environmental Concepts and Services; S.C. Department of Education; and Waste Management.
DERA grants are awarded to applicants whose proposed projects aim to reduce diesel emissions through engine repowers, equipment and exhaust retrofits or equipment replacements. Learn more on our DERA webpage.
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DAUFUSKIE DISCUSSIONS: SCDES Interim Director Myra Reece and members of our Bureau of Coastal Management team visited Daufuskie Island to speak with community leaders about addressing the island’s unique environmental challenges, including coastal erosion impacts and debris removal opportunities. These community-led conversations prove invaluable in coordinating local solutions to specific environmental issues. | |
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New Recycle Here SC App
The new Recycle Here SC phone app makes it easy to know what, where, and how to recycle different items at different locations across the state. Download it for free today for helpful recycling tips, recycling center locations, and more.
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2023 ESOP Report Available
The 2023 Environmental Surveillance and Oversight Report is now available. SCDES monitors the Department of Energy's Savannah River Site (SRS) for potential contaminants and produces a report of its findings annually. View it online at des.sc.gov.
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Where Passion Meets Preservation | |
As the state agency that protects and preserves South Carolina's environment, SCDES seeks talented individuals to join our team. We are scientists, engineers and inspectors as well as collaborators, educators, and public servants who work to ensure all South Carolinians have a healthy environment. | | | | |
