As part of the permitting process, DHEC engages surrounding communities and the general public prior to making a final permit decision in order to:

1. Provide information about proposed permitted activities in their communities;
2. Give community members and other interested parties an opportunity to submit relevant information to DHEC for consideration prior to making a final permit decision; and
3. Provide an opportunity to submit other concerns to the attention of DHEC and the applicant.  

Public meetings and public hearings are methods DHEC uses to hear concerns and receive comments during the permitting process.  A public meeting is an informal conversation with DHEC staff to include questions and answers (Q&A). A public hearing is a formal opportunity for comments to be stated and recorded by a court reporter.

DHEC held virtual public meetings on the proposed ArborNature transfer station on September 10 and 24, 2020. A virtual public hearing was also held on October 22, 2020. These events were conducted using a virtual platform in a live-event setting in order to follow local, state, and federal guidelines for social distancing and avoid group gatherings during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recordings of all DHEC virtual public events were posted below prior to the end of the public comment period.  DHEC also extended the period to submit public comments through November 5, 2020. 

DHEC values all comments received during the permitting process and is committed to addressing and considering all relevant information prior to making a final permit decision. Public input is an important part of the permitting process and can result in changes to permit conditions and operational practices if a permit is issued. 

We recognize many local residents have concerns that are not within DHEC’s permitting authority, such as truck traffic, noise, zoning, and potential impacts to property values, which may affect a community’s quality of life. Although DHEC does not have the authority to regulate or consider these concerns when making a permit decision, we encourage community members to engage in ongoing conversations with local officials and company representatives to find solutions and reach common goals. For example:  

• Truck traffic, access to public roads, weight limits, and traffic patterns are governed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation and the county. 
• Operating hours and industrial development are governed by the county through zoning and land use planning. 

What to Expect After a Public Hearing

Once a public comment period closes, DHEC reviews and considers all comments received to determine if any modifications should be made to the permit application or draft permit. DHEC’s final decision to either approve, modify, or deny a permit is made available to everyone on DHEC’s mailing list. A summary response to all comments received is also provided.