Edge Road Mine

Soilutions, LLC has requested environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to construct and operate a sand mine on a 33-acre site located off Edge Road in Horry County, approximately 5.5 miles south of Wampee, South Carolina. This site is referred to as the Edge Road Mine.

After careful consideration of all comments and information received from concerned citizens and local, state, and federal agencies, along with supplemental information provided by the applicant, DHEC has determined that the Edge Road Mine can comply with the South Carolina Mining Act and applicable mining regulations. Having made this determination and being in receipt of the required financial assurance (bond), DHEC has approved the mine application and is issuing Mine Operating Permit I-002375 for the Edge Road 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 Certification and National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) General Permit are also available below.

DHEC appreciates the interest, engagement, and comments received from all our stakeholders during the environmental permitting process for the Edge Road Mine. 

Mining 

DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received an application for a mine operating permit for the Edge Road Mine on April 7, 2021. The BLWM provided public notice of the application and began accepting comments on the proposed mine in February 2022.  In response to comments received, DHEC held a public hearing on June 30, 2022, for comments to be heard by DHEC staff and recorded by a court reporter. 

Documents used in the BLWM permitting process are available below:

Prior to making a final permit decision, the BLWM completed its review and consideration of all information and public comments received in writing, as well as those shared during the DHEC public hearing held on June 30, 2022.  Supplemental information provided by the applicant was also reviewed prior to making a final permit decision.  

DHEC’s final decision documents are available below:

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

Kaylin Joye 
Phone: (803) 898-1367 
Email: joyeke@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 Mine permitting program prior to a final decision being made on either a permit or general permit. 
OCRM completed its review and issued a Certification for Coastal Zone Consistency on May 15, 2023.

  • Coastal Zone Consistency Certification

Questions about the CZC certification and the OCRM 's certification process may be directed to: 

Chris Stout 
Phone: (843) 953-0691 
Email: stoutcm@dhec.sc.gov

Water Quality

DHEC’s Bureau of Water (BOW) 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 conjunction with the application for an individual mining permit, the applicant is also required to obtain coverage under the NPDES General Permit SCG730000 “General Permit for Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities.” This permit coverage addresses the water quality issues for both stormwater and wastewater that will be discharged through the outfalls from the Edge Road Mine.

This permit requires the installation of Best Management Practices for sediment and erosion control, reporting, and inspections to ensure the operation maintains compliance.

The Edge Road Mine was granted coverage under the NPDES General Permit on June 8, 2023.  

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

DHEC is committed to providing meaningful ways to hear the questions and concerns of community members and share information on our permitting processes. DHEC offers multiple ways to connect with our staff during the permitting process and beyond, including:

  • Speaking to someone by phone.
  • Submitting a written comment or question.
  • Receiving additional information.
  • Visiting our webpage to learn more.

Questions about community engagement in the BLWM’s permitting process may be directed to:

Donna Moye
Phone: (803) 898-1382 
Email: moyedd@dhec.sc.gov

Hybrid Public Hearing

In response to comments received, DHEC held a public hearing to accept oral comments on the individual mine operating permit application for the Edge Road Mine on June 30, 2022, at 6:30 pm, for comments to be heard by DHEC staff and recorded by a court reporter. The hearing was a hybrid format with both an in-person and virtual option to allow broader access by interested persons. The in-person component was held at the J. Bryan Floyd Community Center located at 1030 Possum Trot Road in North Myrtle Beach, SC. DHEC also extended the period to accept written comments through July 15, 2022.

The public hearing presentation, recording, and transcript are available below:  

What to Expect After the Public Comment Period Closes 

Written comments on the proposed mine application will be accepted through close of business on July 15, 2022. 

Once the public comment period closes, DHEC reviews and considers all comments received and determines if any modifications should be made to the mine operating permit application. Additional information may also be requested from the applicant, if needed. DHEC then makes a decision to approve or deny a mine operating permit. DHEC’s final decision is made available to everyone on DHEC’s mailing list and posted on our webpage for the proposed project if one has been created. If the mine operating permit is approved, a summary response to all comments received will also be made available.   

If you would like to be on our mailing list, please complete the registration form. 

Filing a Request for Final Review

DHEC’s decision becomes the final agency decision fifteen (15) calendar days after notice of the decision has been mailed to the applicant, permittee, licensee, and affected persons who have requested in writing to be notified, unless a written request for final review accompanied by a filing fee in the amount of $100 is filed with DHEC by the applicant, permittee, licensee or affected person.

Additional information on requesting a final review by DHEC’s Board can be found on DHEC’s webpage Guide to Board Review.