Freshwater Wetlands in South Carolina Wetlands Wetlands are

Freshwater Wetlands in South Carolina

Wetlands • Wetlands are delineated by the Corps based on the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual. • Soils, evidence of hydrology & vegetation used to define wetland boundaries.

Wetland Terms • Jurisdictional vs. Nonjurisdictional • Contiguous vs. Isolated • Regulated vs. Nonregulated

Functions of Wetlands • Habitat for many different species of plants and animals. • Provide relief from flooding. • Water quality improvement. • Open space and recreation. • Groundwater recharge

Coastal Counties

Current Identification Process for Wetlands • • Corps delineates wetlands and determines which are jurisdictional which are nonjurisdictional. Corps issues a letter to the property owner or agent. OCRM receives a copy of the letter. OCRM notifies agent/applicant by letter stating that they may need OCRM certification to impact any federally nonjurisdictional wetlands.

Review Process 48 -39 -80(B)(11) • • Initiated after submittal of an application for any state or federal permit or certification. Reviews are based upon the policies of the Coastal Zone Management program. A public notice is required Mitigation is required. – On-site mitigation is required when possible. – Off-site mitigation is allowed if on-site mitigation is not possible.

Wetlands are managed under the policies of the Coastal Zone Management Program - Resource Policies Chapter III ( >30 separate policies address freshwater wetland impacts) - Wetland Master Planning Policies, Chapter XII - Mitigation Policies Chapter XII

Review Time Frames • State permits – 30 days • Direct Federal Activities – 45 to 60 days • Federal license or permit - 180 days

What don’t we see in Coastal Zone • Single family lots not part of a larger common plan of development • Individual residential Septic tank permits • Ponds that are not mines and less than 1 acre and not within ½ mile

Wetlands Outside the Coastal Zone • Outside the 8 coastal counties there is no existing regulatory framework to manage the filling of nonjurisdictional (non-federally regulated) wetlands. • DHEC regulates the discharge of fill to jurisdictional wetlands in accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act. • Section 401 of the CWA provides states with authority to certify federal permits or licenses for activities that result in discharges to waters of the state including wetlands. • South Carolina’s 401 Certification program only gives DHEC the authority to regulate jurisdicational wetlands.

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