Another Sand Mine is Coming To Dorchester – Sign the Public Hearing Petition

Sand Mine

DHEC has a new application for another sand mine and has made noting to the adjacent properties. The Moore Mine (Application for a Mine Operating Permit I-002398) is an 89.9-acre mine planed to a depth of 30 feet, with an included +-15 acres flagged as wetlands, located at the end of Moore Road, between Salem and Powder Horn Roads. The mine operations plan on pumping out water during mining into the wetlands draining to Halfway Gut Creek. Reclamation information indicates the mine pits (39.3 acres) will remain and be allowed to fill with water for future lakes or ponds. The site maps include possible “future home sites.” This mine will add even more sand truck traffic to Zion, Salem, Powder Horn, and Sandridge Roads.

You can review the DHEC permit information here (https://epermweb.dhec.sc.gov/ncore/external/publicnotice/info/-209032074109656397/details). You can post comments on the “Add Comments” tab of the DHEC site. However in order for the local community to express concerns in a public hearing, the statute requires the submission of a petition signed by a minimum of ten people.

I have created a downloadable or printable form to petition for a public hearing. Simply download or print the form (just select the download arrow or the printer icon below) and fill in the requested information on the form below. Then scan it with your computer, or take a picture with your phone of the completed form and email it to dprovenzanosc@gmail.com no later than Noon August 11, 2023. I need to compile the names and send them and the signed forms to DHEC by 5pm on that date.

Pineland Sand Mine Application Gets Approved

Sand Mine

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) provided notice of approval of the Application and Reclamation Plan for a Mine Operating Permit and Issuance of Mine Operating Permit I-002279 to Sandridge Road Holdings, LLC for the Pineland Mine in Dorchester County, South Carolina,

DHEC received the permit application for the proposed Pineland Mine in September of 2019.  DHEC’s Bureau of Land and Waste Management (BLWM) placed the mine operating permit application on public notice in February 27, 2020 and held a virtual public hearing to receive comments on the mine operating permit application on July 23, 2020.  DHEC received comments and concerns between February 27, 2020 and August 7, 2020 and provided a Summary Response to Comments.  

You can find all of the details including the Mine Operating Permit, Summary Response to Comments, and other information relevant to Pineland Mine can be viewed on DHEC’s website at:  https://scdhec.gov/environment/environmental-sites-projects-permits-interest/pineland-mine

Some of the public comments or concerns expressed, including defined operating hours and the ability to hold the mine responsible for disruption of nearby well disturbed by mining operations, have been incorporated in to the permit.

After consideration of all information presented, review of all public comments received, as well as additional information provided by the applicant, the BLWM approved the requested application for a Mine Operating Permit.

If you are an affected party, you have the right to request a final review of this permit decision.  This request must be made in writing to the Clerk of the DHEC Board.  Procedures for requesting this review are enclosed and more information can be viewed on DHEC’s website at:  https://scdhec.gov/about-dhec/sc-board-health-and-environmental-control/guide-board-review

Any questions or for further DHEC assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the project manager, Mason Brandes, at 803-898-1369 or by e-mail at brandemd@dhec.sc.gov 

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