River Bend Quarry - Spartanburg County

River Bend Aggregates, LLC has applied for environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to mine granite at a site located on Hammett Grove Road in Spartanburg County, approximately 2.7 miles northwest and within the town limits of Pacolet, SC. The Pacolet River Heritage Preserve is located southwest of the proposed mine permit area and the Pacolet River. A proposed reclamation plan to restore the site to grassland and a lake/pond has been submitted with the application.  

This webpage has been developed by DHEC as a community resource and will be updated as new information is made available. Please bring this webpage to the attention of others you know who may be interested.

Mining

DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) received an application for a mine operating permit for the proposed River Bend Quarry on October 13, 2023. The BLWM provided notice of the application in the Spartanburg Herald-Journal newspaper and began accepting comments on December 7, 2023. Additionally, the public notice was mailed to adjacent landowners, local and state government/regulatory agencies, and other interested parties. 

The mine permit application, reclamation plan, maps, and other related documents are available below. 

A final decision on the mine permit application will not be made until after review and consideration of all comments received through January 26, 2024.

Questions about the proposed River Bend Quarry and the BLWM’s mine permitting process may be directed to:

Sarah Harris
Phone: (803) 898-3887
Email: harrissl@dhec.sc.gov

Air Quality

An air quality construction permit is required for any entity that plans to construct, alter, or add to a source of air pollution, including the installation of any air pollution control device. The permit must be issued before any construction-related activities occur at the site. If issued, the permit allows for the installation, modification, and start of operation of equipment.  

On November 2, 2023, River Bend Aggregates, LLC applied to DHEC’s Bureau of Air Quality (BAQ) for an air quality construction permit for the proposed aggregate mine and processing plant near Pacolet, SC.

The BAQ has completed a technical review of the application. The technical review included reviewing emission calculations, performing a regulatory review, conducting an ambient air quality analysis, and verifying that the proposed project can meet all applicable air quality regulations if constructed and operated as proposed in the air permit application. Once the technical review was completed, a draft air construction permit containing all applicable emission limitations and requirements was placed on public notice on December 7, 2023.

The public notice, along with the draft construction permit (containing all applicable emission limitations and requirements), draft statement of basis, and permit application are available below. 

All comments received through January 26, 2024, will be considered before a final decision is made on the draft air permit. 

Questions about the draft air permit and the BAQ’s permitting process may be directed to:

Mareesa Singleton
Phone: (803) 898-4113
Email: singlemj@dhec.sc.gov

Public Meeting and Public Hearing

DHEC held a combination public meeting and public hearing on the proposed River Bend Quarry on January 11, 2024, at the Bejamin E. Mays Family Center in Pacolet, SC. The public meeting was held from 6:00 – 7:00 PM, with the public hearing held immediately thereafter. 

The public meeting was informal and provided an opportunity for participants to have a discussion with DHEC staff about the proposed quarry and environmental permitting process prior to giving comments at the public hearing. The meeting included DHEC presentations about the mine permit application and draft air permit. Staff from DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management, Bureau of Air Quality, Bureau of Water, and Bureau of Environment Health Services were at the meeting to address questions and concerns. 

For additional information about DHEC public meetings and public hearings, please refer to:

Filing a Request for Final Review

DHEC’s decision(s) become final fifteen (15) calendar days after notice of the decision(s) 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 in DHEC’s Guide to Board Review. 

Impact of Public Comments in DHEC’s Permitting Process 

DHEC values all comments made during the public comment period. Local community members provide a unique perspective and are valuable resources in addressing community concerns in the permitting process.  Becoming better informed is an important first step in providing effective public comments that may influence specific terms and conditions that must be followed by the owner/operator if a permit is issued.

Effective comments are those that provide accurate, specific details about the site of a proposed project, inaccuracies in the permit application, errors in DHEC’s technical review or draft permit, and any other information demonstrating that a proposed project cannot operate in compliance with environmental regulations.   

It is important to know that DHEC cannot make a permit decision based on a vote or how many comments are received. There are also some common issues/comments related to mining operations that DHEC does not have the regulatory or legal authority to consider when making a permit decision, for example:   

  • Truck traffic, access to public roads, weight limits, and traffic patterns are governed by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (DOT) and the local county. 
  • Industrial development and operating hours are governed by the local county through zoning and land use planning. 

Beginning a conversation early about these and other quality of life issues is an effective way for communities to work together with local government officials, their legislative delegation, mining representatives, and other interested parties to find solutions and reach common goals. 

Stay Connected - Community Engagement and Resources

DHEC is committed to providing meaningful opportunities 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:

  • Calling or connecting with DHEC staff to discuss the proposed Saluda Quarry one-on-one.
  • Submitting a written comment or question.
  • Receiving additional information by email or mail.
  • Visiting this webpage for information and updates.
  • Stay informed about local mining issues in your community.

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

DHEC encourages residents to ask questions and share information with us. Staying engaged in our process helps us to learn more about your community. 

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

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