Another Victory for SCELP in the S.C. Supreme Court!

Posted 08/25/10

In a decision that solidifies SC’s ability to protect salt marshes, the state Supreme Court Monday upheld sanctions against a man accused of illegally filling tidelands in North Myrtle Beach.

The Supreme Court’s ruling will force property owner Wayne Hill to restore the 1,500 square feet of salt marsh, which was filled in 2003, and pay a $1,000 state fine.

Hill built a retaining wall in the marsh and then filled the property to significantly increase the size of the land. The 145-foot-long wall, or bulkhead, extended 31 feet into the watery marsh in some places, even though state regulators had not given him permission to do that. Bulkheads are often built to keep water from eroding valuable coastal property, but only after state regulators grant permits. Click HERE to view a reprint of the full article.

A True Hero...

Posted 08/12/10

It is with heavy hearts that we at the South Carolina Environmental Law Project convey the sad news of the passing of an exceptionally gifted man, cherished by many - the founder and director of the South Carolina Environmental Law Project, Jimmy Chandler.

Jimmy lost his battle with cancer on August 7, 2010. His death leaves us all reeling yet reflective, on a life and career well lived. The impact he made on our state's environment is immeasurable. He was the trailblazer in environmental law in South Carolina and he left an amazing legacy that SCELP is proud and determined to carry on, in his honor.

Reporter Sammy Fretwell wrote a great piece about Jimmy in the State Newspaper recently. Please click HERE to view a reprint of that article.

SCELP Will Continue in the Absence of Founder, Jimmy Chandler

Posted 08/11/10

Many have been wondering what the future of the South Carolina Environmental Law Project (SCELP) would be now that Jimmy Chandler, founder and Director, has sadly passed away. The answer is simple - SCELP will continue on, in his honor. Sammy Fretwell from The State Newspaper wrote another great article on the future of SCELP and it's new Director, former Staff Attorney, Amy Armstrong. Please click HERE to view a reprint of that article.

2010 Summer Newsletter Available Online

Posted 06/28/10

The 2010 Summer Newsletter is now available online.

Inside you will find information on our recent accomplishments involving coastal wetland protections, nuclear waste storage, and Kiawah Island's Captain Sam's Spit. Click HERE to check out this latest newsletter from SCELP.

To read previous issues of our newsletter and all other posts, click on the Resources tab at the right of the screen, then select Downloads.

SCELP Success in Radioactive Waste Case

Posted 03/10/10

On March 10, 2010, the South Carolina Court of Appeals issued a decision in our appeal of Chem-Nuclear’s permit to continue to dispose of radioactive nuclear waste at its landfill in Barnwell. Click HERE to read the Opinion.

Currently, waste is stored in containers with holes in the bottom, allowing water to come into contact with nuclear waste and leach into the groundwater. The Court agreed with us that the permit has to meet technical requirements of the DHEC regulations, including the requirement for engineered barriers that will minimize the migration of water into and out of waste disposal units and that will prevent contact between the waste and the surrounding earth. The Administrative Law Court failed to rule on whether the permit met these regulatory requirements, and the Court of Appeals remanded the case back to the ALC to make specific legal conclusions on whether these requirements were met.

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Recent S. C. Supreme Court Decision Featured in The State Newspaper

Posted 02/02/10

The recent decision of the S. C. Supreme Court to overturn a previous ruling that severely affected fresh water wetlands in S. C. was featured in the February 2nd issue of The State Newspaper. Click HERE to read the article.

Major Victory in the S.C. Supreme Court!

Posted 02/01/10

The South Carolina Supreme Court has upheld the validity of the South Carolina Coastal Management Program and reaffirmed its applicability to all wetlands in the coastal zone. In a unanimous opinion issued February 1, 2010, the Supreme Court overturned a ruling of the Administrative Law Court and rejected a developer's challenge to the Program. To continue reading this article select "more" below or click HERE to read the opinion.

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Captain Sam's Spit Informational Videos

Posted 01/18/10

Check out these informative videos done by the Coastal Conservation League's Nancy Vinson. In these videos you can get details on the erroneous project, just how unstable the spit is and what exactly is at stake if the development moves forward. To view the first video please click HERE. For the second in the series please click HERE.

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The DHEC Board Reverses Decision on Sheet Pile Project in Kiawah

Posted 12/10/09

The DHEC board has denied a developer's application to drive 30' deep metal pilings into the narrow section of the Spit. This is part of the larger proposed project on Captain Sam's Spit that SCELP is fighting. At a hearing on December 10th 2009 the DHEC board reversed their staff decision, and denied the request for the permit by the developer.

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SCELP Stops Mega Dump Construction in Laurens County

Posted 11/24/09

SCELP assisted a citizens group in a successful attempt to halt the construction of a "Mega Dump" in Laurens County. SCELP asked that the construction permit be denied because there was no need for another landfill in the area. Thankfully, the Administrative Law Judge ruled that the company failed to show a true “demonstration of need” because the proposed site sits four miles from the Curry Lake facility and 11 miles from Greenville County's Twin Chimneys landfill. Republic Landfill, also in Greenville County, is 14 miles away. The area has more than enough capacity to handle all of the waste generated there. Read the EAGLE story HERE.