Donmar Sand Mine has requested environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to construct and operate a proposed sand mine located at 1411 Charity Church Road in Huger, SC in Berkeley County.
After careful consideration of all comments and information received from concerned citizens and local, state and federal agencies, DHEC has determined that the Donmar Sand Mine can comply with the South Carolina Mining Act and applicable coastal zone consistency, water, and mining regulations. Having made this determination, and being in receipt of the required reclamation bond, DHEC has approved the mine application and is issuing Mine Operating Permit I-002198 for the Donmar Sand Mine. The final mine permit, maps, reclamation plan, and a summary response to comments are available below. Documents related to issuance of the coastal zone consistency and water permits are also available below.
DHEC appreciates the interest, engagement, and comments received from all our stakeholders during the environmental permitting process for the Donmar Sand Mine.
Mining
DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received a Mine Operating Permit Application for the proposed Donmar Sand Mine on November 1, 2017. Documents used in the BLWM permitting process are available below:
- Application for Mine Operating Permit I-002198 (pdf)
- Reclamation Plan (pdf)
- Mine Maps
- United States Army of Engineers Approved Jurisdictional Determination
- United States Fish and Wildlife Service Clearance Letter
- Cultural Resources Survey Report
- Public Notice of Intent to Mine (March 12 & March 19, 2020)
- Public Meeting Memo to Interested Citizens (August 7, 2020)
- Well Survey
- Donmar and Berkeley County Consent Order Concessions
The BLWM placed the mine operating permit application on public notice and began accepting public comments in March 2020. The BLWM completed review of all information and public comments received in writing, as well as those shared during the DHEC public meeting held on September 1, 2020. Additional information provided by the applicant was also reviewed.
- Approval of Application and Reclamation Plan
- Notice of Approval Memo
- Summary Response to Comments
- Guide to Board Review
Questions about the Donmar Sand Mine and DHEC’s mine permitting process may be directed to:
Haley Smarr
Phone: (803) 898-3887
Email: smarrha@dhec.sc.gov
Information and documents related to the water quality permit and coastal zone consistency certification for the Donmar Sand Mine are available below.
Water Quality
DHEC issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to minimize environmental impacts from stormwater runoff and other water discharges that may occur during construction and operation of a facility.
Coverage under NPDES General Permit SCG730000 “Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities” is required for the Donmar Sand Mine in conjunction with a mine operating permit. On April 8, 2020, DHEC’s Bureau of Water (BOW) received a Notice of Intent (NOI) from Donmar Sand Mines, LLC requesting a modification to the coverage for the Donmar Mine under NPDES General Permit SCG730000.
The BOW determined that the Donmar Mine meets the requirements for continued coverage under its NPDES General Permit and granted a modification on May 19, 2020. The general permit coverage addresses water quality issues of both the stormwater and wastewater discharged from the site.
Documents related to the BOW’s NPDES permitting process are available below:
- Notice of Intent (April 3, 2020) (pdf)
- Sediment and Erosion Control Map (May 27, 2020) (pdf)
- General Permit Coverage SCG731378 (pdf)
- General Permit SCG730000 (pdf)
Questions about the NPDES general permit coverage and DHEC’s water permitting process may be directed to:
Brett Caswell
Phone: (803) 898-4396
Email: caswelbm@dhec.sc.gov
Coastal Zone Consistency
DHEC issues Coastal Zone Consistency (CZC) certifications of state permits that operate in the coastal zone of South Carolina. The certification is issued through DHEC’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) and is based on the enforceable policies contained within the SC Coastal Zone Management Program. OCRM’s certification is provided to DHEC’s Mining Permitting Program prior to a final decision being made on either a permit or general permit.
The OCRM has determined that the Donmar Sand Mine meets the requirements for CZC. OCRM’s CZC is available below:
For questions about the CZC certification and the OCRM’s certification process, please contact:
Christopher Stout
Phone: (843) 953-0691
Email: stoutcm@dhec.sc.gov
To speak with local DHEC staff, please contact Jonathan Summa in our Lowcountry Environmental Affairs Office at (843) 953-0150.