Landfill Determination Process 

Phase 1

Phase 1 of the permitting process is referred to as the landfill determinations process. Through the landfill determinations process, DHEC approves the location of the landfill and its maximum allowable footprint. DHEC determines whether the application is consistent with the Demonstration of Need Regulation (R.61-107.17), the County and State Solid Waste Management Plans, and applicable buffers. The applicant is also required to submit a letter showing that the project is consistent with local zoning and land use ordinances. The following is a timeline for Phase 1 of the permitting process:  

March 18, 2019 – HCSWA submitted an initial request to expand both the Class 2 and Class 3 Landfills. This submittal began Phase 1 of the permitting process. 

April 14 - 16, 2019 – HCSWA placed public notices of the proposed expansion in The Sun News newspaper. HCSWA also sent notification letters by certified mail to all adjacent property owners of the landfill. 

May 22, 2019 – DHEC placed its Draft Determinations of need and consistency for the proposed expansion on public notice for a 30-day comment period. The public notice was published in The Sun News newspaper and letters were mailed to all adjacent landowners.   

July 3, 2019 – DHEC extended the 30-day comment period to August 2, 2019. 

August 16, 2019 – DHEC issued its Final Decision regarding the determinations of need and consistency for the proposed expansion. Notice of the Final Decision was published in The Sun News and letters were sent to everyone who submitted comments in response to the notice of draft determinations. 

Phase 2 

Phase 2 is the technical review of the project. In Phase 2, the applicant submits a technical application that details how they plan to meet the location, operational, and design requirements found in the landfill regulation (R.61-107.19, Part IV). The main design requirements for a Class 2 Landfill are that the landfill maintain at least 2 feet of separation to groundwater after settlement of the landfill and that the facility has a stormwater system that can handle the flow from a 25-year, 24-hour storm event. Class 2 Landfills are also required to provide a groundwater monitoring well network. The monitoring well network is sampled twice a year and the reports are submitted to and reviewed by DHEC. The following is a timeline associated with Phase 2 of the permitting process: 

December 16, 2019 – HCSWA submitted a technical application for the proposed expansion of the Class 2 Landfill. 

December 27, 2019 – HCSWA placed a public notice of the proposed expansion in The Sun News newspaper. 

February 28, 2020 – HCSWA submitted a revised application to address DHEC’s comments on the original technical application. 

May 7, 2020 – DHEC places a draft permit for the proposed expansion on public notice for a 30-day comment period. The public notice was published in The Sun News newspaper and mailed to all adjacent landowners and others who requested to be notified.