Donmar Sand Mine

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:

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. 

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: 

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. 

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Berkeley