SCDES Celebrates One Year of
Progress, Partnerships, and Purpose
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July 1 marked one year of the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) — and what a year it’s been!
From day one, science has been the foundation of everything we do. Whether it’s monitoring water quality, leading recycling efforts, or communicating why sustainable practices matter, our team is grounded in data, driven by purpose, and deeply connected to the place we call home.
We’re proud to be:
🔹 Translating complex science into everyday impact
🔹 Helping South Carolinians understand how to recycle responsibly
🔹 Advocating through engaging, accessible communication
🔹 Protecting our beautiful waterways and natural resources
🔹 Powered by people who love this land and care deeply about our communities
South Carolina is more than just where we work, it’s where we’ve planted roots. That connection fuels our passion and strengthens our mission to protect both people and the environment. Here’s to one year of meaningful work, and many more to come.
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Our Commitment to Permitting Process Improvement
SCDES remains committed to modernizing its permit review processes while also guiding how our state grows responsibly. Last year, SCDES processed over 53,000 requests for permits, licenses, and certifications serving homes, businesses, farms, utilities and communities. Our goal is to issue permits within 90 days, upholding the standards for environmental protection while also providing guidance to improve the quality of applications.
While many programs already meet the 90-day timeframe, SCDES is always looking at innovation and continuous improvement in all that we do. SCDES’s dedicated professionals are committed to achieving this goal, but we can’t do it alone.
Applicants and design professionals are also key to this success. Before submitting applications, here are three steps you can take to help us meet the 90-day goal.
🔹Review the latest guidance and submission process from the program’s website.
🔹Request a pre-application meeting for complex projects and applications with unique site constraints and considerations.
🔹Perform a final self-review of the application and any supporting documentation prior to submittal for quality and completeness.
Ultimately, our goal is to meet your goal and support the state’s thriving economy while delivering timely permits that protect South Carolina’s environment.
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Save-the-Date for 2025 Environmental Assistance Conference
We're planning the 2025 Environmental Assistance Conference, and we want to hear from you!
Have an idea for a session, speaker, or topic you’d love to see on the agenda? Now’s your chance to share it! Help us make this year’s EAC meaningful, engaging, and full of impact.
Registration opens early August. Stay tuned for more details! Submit your suggestions.
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ePermitting: One-Stop Shop for Your Permitting Needs
What is ePermitting?
ePermitting is SCDES's online platform for environmental permitting and compliance. It supports the full regulatory lifecycle and allows customers to interact with the agency online.
We're excited to announce that three new programs—Tanning, Underground Injection Control, and Stormwater—are now available on ePermitting. These can now be managed entirely online for faster and more efficient service.
What's Coming Next?
We're committed to improving your experience. Here's what to look forward to:
🔹Better Performance: We are migrating to the commercial cloud for faster, more reliable service.
🔹A new web address: Our updated URL will launch soon. Stay tuned for details.
Please visit our website for more information.
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Science, Service & Sustainability Award Honorees
Congratulations to our inaugural SCDES Science, Service & Sustainability Award Honorees!
As we celebrated our one-year anniversary on July 1, we recognized three outstanding team members who embody the very best of SCDES.
Science Award: Scott Reynolds
A Senior Scientist with 46 years of service, Scott's passion for data, curiosity, and commitment to excellence leave a legacy that continues to guide our work. Scott sadly passed away in May of this year.
Service Award: Robin Guba
As our Recruitment & Retention Director, Robin’s drive to connect SCDES with top talent is helping shape our future workforce and meet critical needs across the agency.
Sustainability Award: Tyra Foulks
An Engineering Associate, Tyra’s dedication to quality, collaboration, and long-term improvement is helping build a stronger, more sustainable SCDES both internally and externally.
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SCDES Participates in 2025 Day of Recovery
The South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD) hosted the 2025 Day of Recovery, drawing more than 100 professionals to focus on disaster recovery and lessons learned from 2024 events.
SCDES was well represented by Justin Koon, Dana Cooke, Ron Kinney, and Robin Mack. Justin Koon, Solid Waste Permitting and Monitoring Section Manager, served on the Debris Management panel alongside leaders from Aiken County, Greenville County, and SCDOT. He highlighted SCDES’s debris management requirements.
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Permit Central Workshop Centers on Collaboration
SCDES Director Myra Reece and members of our team held a Permit Central Workshop in Greenville as an opportunity to bring together environmental professionals to discuss stormwater permitting and identify process improvements.
These sessions, held across the state, are an invaluable opportunity to bring together industry and government leaders for meaningful discussion and collaboration.
We’re honored to be a partner in these events that provide an opportunity for open dialogue to improve the permitting process.
The day started with a welcome by G3 Principal and Director of Business Development, Felix Pitts, continued with critical updates, information, and a great partnership panel that included Tracy Jones, our Director of Stormwater Management Division.
By staying informed on the latest processes and insights, our team is better equipped to serve our clients with expertise and efficiency.
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SCDES Spotlighted for Leveraging Grants to Tackle Environmental Risks
SCDES's Brownfields and Underground Storage Tank (UST) programs were recently spotlighted in a national environmental publication, L.U.S.T.Line.
The article, "Leveraging Brownfields Funding to Remove Out-of-Compliance Underground Storage Tanks in South Carolina", touted the efforts of SCDES's Brownfields and UST programs to remove 45 defunct, non-compliant USTs that posed environmental hazards from 14 Brownfield locations across the state, with support from a federal 104(k) Assessment and Redevelopment Grant.
SCDES was commended for its communication with property owners and collaborative thinking that have allowed for the successful removal of these USTs and subsequent safe redevelopment and repurposing of these Brownfield sites.
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SCOWA Strengthens Onsite Wastewater Community Connections
The South Carolina Onsite Wastewater Association (SCOWA) is a new organization dedicated to advancing onsite wastewater standards through education, training, and collaboration.
With support from SCDES, SCOWA hosted two successful regional meetings: the Lowcountry (May 14) and Upstate (July 16). SCDES's Onsite Wastewater team attended both events to answer questions and present updates on program roles and regulations. This partnership continues to enhance communication and strengthen relationships with stakeholders.
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'Champions of the Environment' Grant Application Period Opens
Calling all K–12 teachers! The 2025–2026 Champions of the Environment grant application opens August 1!
Grants of up to $2,500 are available to support classroom projects that help build environmental awareness among students.
Whether it's school gardens, habitat restoration, water conservation, or energy awareness — your students could be named Champions of the Environment!
Be a Champion. Apply. Inspire.
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SCDES Director Visits USS Yorktown for Update on Environmental Remediation
Myra Reece, SCDES Director; Henry Porter, Deputy Director of Environmental Programs; and Elizabeth Herring with our Asbestos Division were proud to visit the USS Yorktown with the S.C. Office of Resilience to observe ongoing stages of the Environmental Assessment and Remediation project for the decommissioned aircraft carrier. The project is a result of Gov. McMaster's 2022 Executive Order that directed the S.C. Office of Resilience to begin removing over a million gallons of toxic pollutants from the Yorktown.
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Mascot Madness: Celebrating 20 Years of Blowfish Baseball
It was a grand slam celebration at The Lex as the Lexington County Blowfish marked 20 years of fun, fans, and community spirit — and threw a birthday bash for their mascot, Blowie!
SCDES's very own Can Guy and Sparky joined in the fun alongside mascot favorites like Cocky the Gamecock, the Clemson Tiger, Olly the Otter, Wiley the Wildcat, RB from River Bluff High School, and Mav the Bull from Midlands Technical College.
The mascots brought the hype and the helpful reminders — like how to recycle right and why batteries should never go in the trash. It was all part of celebrating the team’s legacy and our shared commitment to protecting South Carolina’s environment. Cheers to 20 years of Blowfish Baseball — and to keeping the spirit of community and sustainability strong!
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Calling all Photographers: Coastal Photo Contest Opens
Beginning Aug. 1, we'll be accepting submissions for our annual Coastal Photography Contest. Photographers of all levels are encouraged to enter their photos of the South Carolina coast for a chance to be featured on SCDES’s 2026 Tide Table poster.
“Our annual Tide Table posters are consistently one of the most popular public resources we develop, and the Coastal Photography Contest is always a fun time of year,” said Chris Stout, Chief of the Bureau of Coastal Management.
Entries must be submitted online. Visit des.sc.gov/coastalphoto for the rules, eligibility, submission form, and additional information.
| | | 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. | | | | |
