PS_Due_Diligence_Requirements.pdf

Due Diligence Requirements for Grant Eligibility

When the South Carolina Department of Commerce (SCDOC) requests due diligence studies or other site related work be completed, this document outlines the minimum baseline requirements. Any deviation from these descriptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by SCDOC in order to be eligible for grant funding.

The SCDOC is to be provided an unrestricted license to use all site engineering and due diligence funded, partially or fully, by them. Files should be provided in PDF and DWG.

DOCUMENTATION PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Environmental Site Assessment

A Phase I Environmental Site Assessment (ESA), conducted in accordance with ASTM Standard E1527-21 must be completed by a qualified Environmental Professional that meets all US Environmental Protection Agency standards in effect at the time the assessment was conducted. The report must specify if “Recognized Environmental Conditions” (REC’s) were found, and definitively state if further action is necessary.

If any environmental conditions or concerns were identified by the Phase I ESA or other studies, the actions conducted as follow-up and results must be specified.

Wetlands Delineation

A Professional Wetland Scientist should delineate all streams, bodies of water, wetlands, and other features on the site in accordance with the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) 1987 Wetlands Delineation Manual and the applicable Regional Supplement to the USACE Wetlands Delineation Manual. The delineation should identify features that may be considered waters of the United States (WOTUS) by the USACE. The deliverable should provide an opinion as to whether the features delineated would be considered jurisdictional or non-jurisdictional under the most current guidance used by USACE at the time of the delineation.

DOCUMENTATION PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Jurisdictional Determination letter from the U.S.

Army Corps of Engineers

A jurisdictional determination request package/report containing all applicable data required by the USACE should be prepared and submitted.

Engineer to determine the most appropriate type of Jurisdictional Determination to request: Approved, Preliminary, or Delineation Concurrence.

Please coordinate with Director of Product Development Program at SCDOC to prioritize the request with the USACE Charleston District Office.

Threatened and Endangered Species Habitat Assessment

Documentation including report(s) and map(s) indicating the likelihood and location of habitat presence and documented occurrences of federal and state threatened and endangered plant and animal species. Documentation should be based on existing database records and field recognizance surveys.

Documentation must include a preliminary effect determination of each species by the consultant. Effects determinations should be sent to USFWS for their review and concurrence, or recommendations for additional survey and assessment. For species with a finding other than “no effect”, recommendations for meeting applicable regulatory approvals regarding the species is required.

The report must contain an official species list obtained from US Fish and Wildlife Service Information for Planning and Consultation and determination keys for species as applicable. The assessment should also include technical assistance from SC Department of Natural Resources via the Natural Heritage Database to ensure protected state species are accounted for.

Archaeological and Historical Investigation

Documentation including report(s) and map(s) indicating the presence and location of archaeological findings, historical sites, or structures. The report must be completed by a qualified professional that meets the Secretary of Interior Standards for archaeology and/or architectural history/history and follow the protocol outlined in a Memorandum of Understanding between SCDOC and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History (SCDAH).

For a list of qualified professionals please see the SCDAH website under the Historic Preservation tab, a list of professionals can be found there.

Geotechnical Assessment

Geotechnical Exploration should document the soil characteristics include a minimum of one boring or sounding per 25 developable acres, but no less than five borings or soundings on total acreage. Borings must be at least 25 feet in depth unless refusal occurs. The report should provide ground water depth and soil bearing capacity. Additionally, the report should also indicate the Seismic Site Class per the current International Building Code (IBC).

DOCUMENTATION PROGRAM GUIDELINES

Master Conceptual Plan

Master Conceptual Plan should document the total and developable acreage, illustrate the location of ingress/egress, site access roads, rail (if applicable), easements, utilities (existing and proposed), and proposed lot locations and sizes (total and developable acreage), as well as the largest potential facility footprint. The Master Conceptual Plan should take into consideration and illustrate the location of development limitations, such as wetlands, floodplains, flood zones, archaeological sites, and permanent easements. Wetland impacts should be avoided and/or minimized and retaining walls should not be considered.

Survey

ALTA/NSPS Survey utilizing 2021 standard covering the entire acreage of the property that illustrates the current conditions of the property, depicting property boundary, existing easements and/or encroachments, etc. A SC Minimum Standard Class A Boundary survey will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For ALTA/NSPS Surveys, the Minimum Standard Detail Requirements published by the National Society of Professional Surveyors should be followed. Survey to include optional item(s) 1, 2, 3, 4, 6(a), 6(b), 7 8, 9, 11(a)(observed evidence only), 13, 14, 16, 17, and 19.