Sandridge Road Holdings, LLC has applied to DHEC for a permit to mine sand and clay at a site located 0.8 miles northeast of the intersection of Sandridge Road and US Highway 78 in Dorchester County, approximately 6.0 mile(s) East-northeast of Ridgeville, S.C. A proposed reclamation plan to restore the site to lakes and grassland has been submitted with the application.
After careful consideration of all comments and information received from concerned citizens and local, state and federal agencies, DHEC has determined that the Pineland 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-002279 for the Pineland 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 Pineland Mine.
Mining
DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received the Mine Operating Permit Application on September 19, 2019. A Notice of Intent to Mine and a public comment period for the proposed Pineland Mine was advertised in the Post and Courier newspaper on February 27, 2020, and again on March 5, 2020. The notice was also mailed to adjacent landowners, government and regulatory agencies, and other interested parties.
The mine operating permit application and other information considered in the BLWM permitting process for the proposed Pineland Mine are available below:
- Application for Mine Operating Permit I-002279 (pdf)
- Reclamation Plan (pdf)
- Maps
- Revised Site Map
- Special Exemption Request
- Preliminary Jurisdictional Determination
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Clearance Letter
- Cultural Resources Survey
- Notice of Intent to Mine
- Well Survey
The BLWM placed the mine operating permit application on public notice and began accepting public comments in March 2019. 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 July 23, 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 Review
Questions about the mine operating permit and the BLWM’s permitting process may be directed to:
Mason Brandes, Project Manager
Phone: (803) 898-1369
Email: brandemd@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 on either a permit or general permit being made.
The OCRM has determined that the Pineland Mine meets the requirements for CZC. OCRM’s CZC is available below:
Questions about the CZC certification and the OCRM’s certification process may be directed to:
Christopher Stout
Phone: (843) 953-0691
Email: stoutcm@dhec.sc.gov
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.
In January 2020, DHEC’s Bureau of Water (BOW) received a Notice of Intent requesting a modification to the Pineland Mine under the general NPDES permit “Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities.”
The BOW has determined that the Pineland Mine meets the requirements for continued coverage under the its general permit and granted the modification on October 5, 2020. Documents used in the BOW’s permitting process are available below:
Questions about the NPDES permit and the BOW’s permitting process may be directed to:
Brett Caswell
Phone: (803) 898-4396
Email: caswelbm@dhec.sc.gov
Community Engagement and Resources
On July 23, 2020, DHEC held a public hearing to accept written and verbal comments on the mine operating permit application. The following presentation was given at the public hearing:
DHEC staff were available before and after the public hearing to listen and discuss concerns about the proposed mine from local residents.
Questions about community engagement in DHEC’s BLWM permitting processes may be directed to:
Donna Moye
Phone: (803) 898-1382
Email: moyedd@dhec.sc.gov
Local DHEC Contacts
To speak with local DHEC staff, please contact Jonathan Summa in our Lowcountry Environmental Affairs Office at (843) 953-0150.
For information on current or previous sites of public interest, visit DHEC's Environmental Sites of Interest webpage.