DLI Plantation Egeria Mine

Dorchester Logistics, Inc. has requested to modify environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) for a sand/clay mine located off Beidler Forest Road approximately 5.8 miles east of Harleyville, S.C. in Dorchester County. 

After careful consideration of all comments and information received from concerned citizens and local, state, and federal agencies, DHEC has determined that the DLI Plantation Egeria Mine can comply with the South Carolina Mining Act and applicable water and mining regulations. Having made this determination, and being in receipt of the required financial assurance, DHEC has approved the proposed modification and modified Mine Operating Permit I-002170 for the DLI Plantation Egeria Mine on December 2, 2021. 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 Egeria Mine. For additional information on DHEC’s community engagement efforts for this site, see the Community Engagement & Resources section below.  

Mining 

DHEC's Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received a request to modify Mine Operating Permit I-002170 for the DLI Plantation Egeria Mine on October 7, 2020.  The BLWM placed the modification to the mine operating permit on public notice and began accepting comments in November 2020.  A public hearing was requested December 4, 2020, and acknowledged on December 9, 2020.  A virtual public hearing was held on June 3, 2021. Written comments on the requested modification were accepted through June 15, 2021. 

Documents used in the BLWM permitting process are available below: 

The BLWM completed review of all information and public comments received in writing, as well as those shared during the DHEC public hearing, prior to making a final permit decision.  Additional information provided by the applicant was also reviewed. DHEC's final decision documents include: 

Questions about BLWM's mine permitting process may be directed to: 

Wendy Hamilton 
Phone: (803) 898-1368 
Email: hamiltws@dhec.sc.gov 

Coastal Zone Consistency 

DHEC determines Coastal Zone Consistency (CZC) certification of state permits that operate in the coastal zone of South Carolina. If a proposed project meets CZC requirements based on the enforceable policies within the SC Coastal Zone Management Program, a CZC certification is issued through DHEC's Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM). OCRM's CZC determination must be provided to DHEC's Mine Permitting Program prior to a final decision on the mine operating permit.  

On October 21, 2021, DHEC’s OCRM provided notification to the Mine Permitting Program stating it has determined that the Egeria 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. 

DHEC's Bureau of Water (BOW) issued initial coverage for the DLI Plantation Egeria Mine under its NPDES General Permit for Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities on April 29, 2008 and approved an ownership change in September 2016 and a modification request associated with an expansion to 24 acres in January 2018. On May 4, 2021, DHEC's BOW received an updated Notice of Intent (NOI) form for this latest proposed expansion. On November 3, 2021, DHEC's BOW approved the minor modification to SCG731020 permit.

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 & Resources

Community Engagement is an important component of the environmental permitting process that provides DHEC with valuable input from nearby communities and allows us to hear comments, concerns and questions before a final permit decision is made. The input that DHEC staff receives from community members can result in additional review, research and consideration of issues unique to a specific site or facility by DHEC staff. For communities that are impacted by a regulated facility our Community Engagement activities often continue after our formal public comment period closes. 

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 environmental 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 bring other concerns to the attention of DHEC and the applicant. 

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 sometimes results in changes to permit conditions and operational practices if a permit is issued. 

Virtual Public Hearing – June 3, 2021 at 6:30 pm 

DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) held a virtual public hearing on June 3, 2021, at 6:30 pm, to accept comments on the proposed modification of the DLI Plantation Egeria Mine located in Dorchester County.   

DHEC staff provided a presentation about the proposed modification and received public comments for the record. The presentation and a recording of the hearing are available below:

What to Expect After the Public Comment Period

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

Stay Connected

DHEC is committed to providing meaningful ways to hear the questions and concerns of community members and share information on our permitting processes.  

DHEC is offering multiple ways to connect with our staff prior to and including the virtual public hearing.  Please let us know if you are interested or have questions about connecting with our staff via one or more of these options in the coming weeks:   

  • Speaking to someone by phone.  
  • Submitting a comment or question in writing by mail, fax, or email. 
  • Receiving additional information by mail, fax, or email. 
  • Requesting that someone visit your home.
  • Visiting our webpage to learn more.

Additionally, we hope the following information will provide a better understanding of  quarry operations and how you can be involved in DHEC’s decision-making processes: 

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 Ongoing Environmental Projects webpage. 

Additional DHEC Contacts 

To speak with local DHEC staff, please contact:

DHEC Lowcountry Environmental Affairs Office
Phone: (843) 953-0150