Salem Sand - Henry Tract Mine (Florence County)

Blue Water Industries LLC has applied for environmental permits from the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) to mine sand at a site located at 331 East Highway 378 Hanna, approximately ¾ of a mile east of Salem, in Florence County (TMS #00418-02-006). 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 Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine on August 11, 2023. The BLWM provided notice of the application in the Florence Morning News newspaper and began accepting comments on August 31, 2023. Additionally, the public notice was mailed to adjacent landowners, local and state government/regulatory agencies, and other interested parties. The public notice was also posted on DHEC’s ePermitting webpage here. 

The mine permit application, reclamation plan, maps, and other related documents are available below. These documents, as well as others used in the BLWM technical review/permitting process, are also available online here through the end of the public comment period.

During the initial public comment period, the BLWM received a request for a public meeting and public hearing on the proposed Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine. DHEC acknowledged this request on October 12, 2023. Notice of the public meeting and public hearing was provided in the Florence Morning News newspaper on November 2, 2023. Notice was also provided to adjacent landowners, local and state government/regulatory agencies, and other interested parties. With this notice, the public comment period on the mine permit application has been extended through December 22, 2023.

Written comments on the mine permit application may be submitted electronically through December 22, 2023.  

For those who prefer to submit written comments on the mine permit application via email or U.S. Mail, please address to:

Colby G. Myers, Project Manager
DHEC │ Bureau of Land and Waste Management
2600 Bull Street │ Columbia, SC 29201
Email: myerscg@dhec.sc.gov

A final decision on the mine permit application will not be made until after review and consideration of all comments received through December 22, 2023.

Questions about the proposed Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine and the BLWM’s mine permitting process may be directed to:

Colby Myers
Phone: (803) 898-3079
Email: myerscg@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.

Coverage under NPDES General Permit SCG73000 “Discharges Associated with Nonmetal Mineral Mining Facilities” is required for the proposed Salem-Sand Henry Tract Mine in conjunction with a mine operating permit. This general permit coverage addresses water quality issues for both stormwater and wastewater discharged from the site. It also requires the installation of Best Management Practices for sediment and erosion control and reporting and inspection requirements.

On September 6, 2023, the BOW received a Notice of Intent from Blue Water Industries LLC requesting coverage under existing NPDES General Permit SCG73000 for the proposed Salem-Sand Henry Tract Mine. The BOW determined that the Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine met the requirements of the NPDES General Permit and issued coverage on October 5, 2023. 
Documents related to the BOW’s NPDES permitting process for the Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine are available below:

Questions about the NPDES general permit coverage and the BOW’s permitting process may be directed to:
Brett Caswell
Phone: (803) 898-4396
Email: caswelbm@dhec.sc.gov

Public Meeting and Public Hearing

DHEC held a public hearing on December 7, 2023, at 7:30 PM, to accept oral and written comments on the proposed Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine. A public meeting was held from 6:00 PM until 7:30 PM prior to the public hearing.

How to Submit Comments

Written comments on the proposed Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine will be accepted through the close of the public comment period on December 22, 2023. Comments may be submitted electronically here.

For those who prefer to submit comments via email or U.S. Mail, please address to:

Colby Myers, Project Manager
DHEC │ Bureau of Land and Waste Management
2600 Bull Street │ Columbia, SC 29201
Email: myerscg@dhec.sc.gov 

What to Expect After the Public Comment Period Closes 

Once the public comment period closes on December 22, 2023, DHEC will review and consider all comments received and determine if any modifications should be made to the mine permit application. Additional information may also be requested from the applicant, if needed. DHEC will then make a final decision to approve or deny a mine operating permit for the proposed Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine. 

Once a final decision is made, DHEC will provide notification to:

  • Everyone on our mailing list for the Salem Sand-Henry Tract Mine;
  • Everyone who attended the public meeting/hearing (provided legible contact information was given); and
  • Everyone who provided written comments during the public comment period. 

The final permit decision will also be posted on this webpage. Summary responses to all comments received will also be made available.

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

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