The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources admitted today to a violation of the Clean Water Act while constructing a road to be used for silvaculture activities Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve in Horry County.
“DNR personnel performed work that exceeded what is allowed under the silvaculture exemption provided in the Clean Water Act,” SCDNR Director John Frampton said during a Charleston new conference. “This additional work resulted in the unauthorized filling of six acres of wetlands.
“Our staff was under the assumption that they were following Best Management Practices under the silvacultural exemption of the Clean Water Act – this assumption was in error.”
In a news release about the incident, the agency issued a public apology and vowed not assign blame to others.
“The agency made a mistake and does not seek to maneuver out of any shortcomings,” the press release reads. “DNR regrets any burden on the Corps of Engineers and thanks the Charleston District Regulatory Staff for bringing this matter forward.”
SCDNR has title to more than 250,000 acres of land in South Carolina, which the agency said requires “a considerable effort in land and management.”
“The agency undertakes the management of these lands with a dedicated and motivated staff that is human, and sometimes does things with good intentions, but in this case without proper coordination up the chain of command,” the press release reads.
The agency said it is committed to working with the Corps of Engineers on the necessary permitting to address the issue, which will include “a complete and careful remediation of the wetlands impacts SCDNR caused ….”
There also will be mitigation and restoration efforts either at Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve or another nearby DNR titled property.
“SCDNR will work closely with the Corps of Engineers to determine how, where and how much mitigation and restoration will be needed,” the agency said in the release.
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