Regulatory Authority for Program
SC Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) has the authority to regulate mining under Title 48 of the South Carolina Mining Act (Act). Chapter 89 of the South Carolina Code of Regulations governs how SCDES implements the provisions of the Act.
The purpose of the Act and Regulations are to provide that:
The Emergency Planning & Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA) requires facilities storing any substance for which a material safety data sheet (MSDS) is required by OSHA and in quantities exceeding the Threshold Planning Quantity (specified for Extremely Hazardous Substance or 10,000 pounds for all other substances) to report these substances to the state, Local Emergency Planning Committees (LEPC's) and fire departments. The SC State Emergency Response Commission requires an annual submission of a Tier II report due March 1 from qualifying facilities.
According to the EPA, asbestos is a naturally occurring mineral fiber in rock and soil. Because of its fiber strength and heat resistance, asbestos has been used in a variety of building construction materials for insulation and as a fire retardant.
