RDA, LLC requested environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to construct and operate a proposed limestone quarry off of Seaboard Road in Williamsburg County, approximately five (5) miles northwest of Andrews, SC. The Mine Operating Permit and the Air Quality Construction Permit were issued on March 25, 2019. The notice of approval memorandum, the issued permits, and responsiveness summaries are located here for viewing and downloading.
Mining
On March 25, 2019, the Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) approved the application for and issued the Individual Mine Operating Permit for the RDA Mine. On December 13, 2019, this permit was revised to include additional terms and conditions requested by the operator. On February 10, 2020, the permit was transferred from RDA, LLC to American Materials Company, LLC and renamed Andrews Quarry; the terms and conditions of the permit remain the same. The full Mine Operating Permit (to include Appendix B - Sinkhole Monitoring and Contingency Plan, Appendix C - Additional Terms and Conditions Requested by Operator, and Appendix D - Wetland Monitoring Plan, Reclamation Plan, and Maps) and the Summary Response to Comments are provided here:
- Mine Operating Permit (pdf)
- Summary Response to Comments (pdf)
Questions about the mining operating permit may be directed to:
Joe Koon
Phone: (803) 898-1371
Email: koonjm@dhec.sc.gov
Air Quality
An air quality construction permit allows for the construction and start of operation of equipment.
On June 27, 2017, SC DHEC's Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) received an application for an air quality construction permit for the proposed RDA Mine. The public comment period for the draft air quality permit began on June 20, 2018, and ended on August 10, 2018. The application and additional information used in BAQ’s permitting process are below:
- Initial Application (pdf)
- Additional Information (pdf)
- Construction Permit Application Revision 1 (pdf)
- Construction Permit Application Revision 1 Updates (pdf)
- Modeling Summary (pdf)
On March 25, 2019, DHEC's BAQ issued a Department Decision, which includes construction permit 2320-0049-CA, the statement of basis for 2320-0049-CA, and the response to comments.
Water Quality
DHEC issues National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits to minimize storm water runoff and other water discharges that may occur during construction and operation of the facility.
On August 4, 2017, DHEC Bureau of Water (BOW) received a Notice of Intent requesting coverage under the existing general NPDES permit for the proposed RDA Mine.
- Notice of Intent (August 3, 2017) (pdf)
- Revised Notice of Intent (June 11, 2018) (pdf)
- Revised Notice of Intent (March 15, 2019) (pdf)
- Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Maps
- RDA Mine (pdf)
- RDA - East (pdf)
- RDA - South (pdf)
- Jumpin Run Tract (pdf)
On March 26, 2019, DHEC’s BOW issued coverage SCG731435 (with conditions) under the NPDES General Permit for Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Minding Facilities, SCG730000. The coverage and memo summarizing the Department’s responses to comments related to water quality can be found below:
Questions about the NPDES permits and requested coverage may be directed to:
Brett Caswell
Phone: (803) 898-4396
Email: caswelbm@dhec.sc.gov
Community Engagement and Resources
On November 30, 2017, DHEC hosted a public informational drop-in for anyone interested in talking with DHEC staff about the proposed project and the permitting processes. Staff from DHEC's mining, air quality, and water programs were available to listen to and address questions with attendees. The following materials were provided:
- Community Engagement (pdf)
- Quarry Operations (pdf)
- Bureau of Air Quality (pdf)
- Bureau of Land and Waste Management (pdf)
- Bureau of Water (pdf)
On Thursday, July 26, 2018, DHEC held a public hearing to accept written and verbal comments on the draft permits.
Local DHEC Contacts
To speak with staff in our local DHEC office, please contact Shawn Williams in DHEC's Myrtle Beach Environmental Affairs office at (843) 238-4378.
Please visit the Industry Notebook: Quarry Operations for additional information about quarry operations and how they are regulated. For information on current or previous sites of public interest, visit DHEC's Environmental Sites of Interest webpage.