This action approves an award in the amount of $6,659,234 to the south carolina department of environmental services (SCDES)

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Region 4 awarded $6.66 million to the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) under the Hazardous Waste Management State Program Support program (CFDA 66.801) effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2030. This formula grant funds disaster recovery and debris management activities in response to Hurricane Helene, as authorized under the 2025 American Relief Act. SCDES will deliver comprehensive hazardous and solid waste management services, including acquisition of debris management equipment through subawards to affected counties, permitting of new disaster debris management sites, procurement of air curtain incinerators and related equipment, and development of debris management initiatives. The agency will also conduct approximately 33 educational outreach visits to impacted counties, acquire drone technology and disaster coordination equipment, obtain hazardous waste sampling materials, and participate in specialized training sessions.

The anticipated outcomes include collection of substantial hurricane debris, reinstatement of essential solid waste and recycling services, and enhancement of emergency response capabilities to protect public health and the environment. County-level sub-recipients will receive funding to support debris management activities, equipment purchases, and updates to solid waste management plans. The program is designed primarily to benefit South Carolina residents in counties directly affected by Hurricane Helene.

This grant will provide the state of south carolina with the necessary funding to address the expenses associated with hazardous and solid waste management due to the impacts of hurricane helene, as outlined in the 2025 american relief act. Activities:the activities to be performed include acquiring debris management equipment through subawards to affected counties and permits of new disaster debris management sites. Report the quantities of debris material gathered. Conduct approximately 33 visits to impacted counties for educational outreach. Acquire a drone along with the requisite equipment and licenses. Acquire new technology for SCDES' disaster coordination center. Acquire sampling materials required for hazardous waste testing. Participate in hazardous/solid waste training sessions. Develop a debris management initiative. Subrecipient:subawards to counties for debris MGT activities; to purchase debris-related equipment (air curtain incinerators, etc.); to revise SW MGT. Plans, etc. Outcomes:the anticipated deliverables and expected outcomes include the collection of substantial debris, the reinstatement of essential solid waste and recycling services, and the enhancement of emergency response, all aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment from hazardous and solid waste resulting from hurricane helene. The intended beneficiaries are residents of south carolina, particularly those in counties affected by hurricane helene.