DHEC continues to work with federal, state and local partners as it investigates COVID-19 cases in South Carolina. As we remain committed to protecting the safety and health of the public during this national and state emergency, 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.
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Thanksgiving & COVID-19
DHEC urges South Carolinians to be positive you're negative by routinely getting tested if you're regularly out in the community. It's especially important to get tested before and after holiday traveling or events. Thanksgiving is a time when many families travel long distances to celebrate together. Travel increases the chance of getting and spreading the virus that causes COVID-19.
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Tips to Reduce Waste Food This Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving may be different this year, but with a few modifications we can still celebrate safely. Every year, Americans throw away food more than any other item, so everyone should take part in reducing food waste. Our Don't Waste Food SC team has compiled some tips to make sure you don’t throw away any of your feast this Turkey Day.
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Santee-Lynches Capacity Use Area
DHEC's Bureau of Water will host two public information meetings in January to begin the process of formally designating the Santee-Lynches Capacity Use Area.
At these meetings, staff will present to stakeholders and the general public the Department's current assessment of groundwater conditions and use, as well as, recommendations for the six county area, collectively referred to as the (preliminary) Santee Lynches Capacity Use Area.
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SC Food Grades
Developed by DHEC's Bureau of Environmental Health Services, SC Food Grades is a tool which displays risk-based inspection scores for all facilities permitted under South Carolina Regulation 61-25.
SC Food Grades features a mobile map that provides the latest inspection information and an advanced search which provides three years' worth of historical data.
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Regulatory Updates
As we work to continuously improve our regulations, please note the following are
currently in the regulatory development process.
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Air Pollution Control
DHEC is proposing the amendment of R. 61-62, Air Pollution Control Regulations and Standards. Amendments are to be made to R.61-62.60, South Carolina Designated Facility Plan and New Source Performance Standards; R.61-62.63, National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP) for Source Categories; and R.61-62.68, Chemical Accident Prevention Provisions, to incorporate federal amendments promulgated from January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2019.
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Permitting of Agricultural Animal Facilities
DHEC is proposing the amendment of R.61-43 to incorporate Act 139 of 2018, which amended S.C. Code Sections 44-1-60 and 46-45-80 and added Section 44-1-65. S.C. Code Section 44-1-65 establishes specific requirements for review and appeal of decisions by the Department regarding the permitting, licensing, certification, or other approval of poultry and other animal facilities, except for swine facilities.
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Compost & Mulch Production
DHEC is proposing amendments to R.61-107.4, Solid Waste Management: Compost and Mulch Production from Land-clearing Debris, Yard Trimmings and Organic Residuals. The regulation was originally effective in 1993 and was revised in 2014. The current revisions are proposed to improve environmental protection, by means such as clarifying storage limits and financial assurance requirements.
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Living Shorelines
DHEC is proposing the amendment of R.30-1, Statement of Policy, and R.30-12, Specific Project Standards for Tidelands and Coastal Waters. Legal authority resides in S.C. Code Sections 48-39-10 et seq., which instructs the Department to implement policies to promote the economic and social welfare of the citizens of the state while protecting the sensitive and fragile areas in the coastal counties and promoting sound development of coastal resources.
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As the state agency charged with promoting and protecting South Carolina's public health & 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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