A proposed landfill expansion in Horry County would fill more than 100 acres of wetlands, raising serious concerns about water quality, flooding and long-term environmental harm. Thanks to your advocacy in January, DES will hold a public hearing on April 2 before any decisions are made.

Take Action

We encourage you to attend the public hearing on April 2nd at 6:00 PM at the Carolina Forest Recreation Center in Multipurpose Rooms A&B (2254 Carolina Forest Blvd, Myrtle Beach).

Oral statements will be heard at the meeting. Whether or not you plan to speak, we strongly encourage everyone to also submit written comments as they carry significant weight in the official record.
‍
Comments can be mailed to:

SCDES-BOW
2600 Bull Street
Columbia, SC 29201
ATTN: Michele Culbreath

Comments can also be emailed to:
michele.culbreath@des.sc.gov

Why This Matters

The proposed expansion would:

• Allow 102.4 acres of wetland fill, eliminating natural filtration systems and protective buffers;
• Impact Steritt Swamp, an ecologically important habitat corridor connecting the Lewis Ocean Bay Heritage Preserve and wetlands along the Waccamaw River;
• Increase the risk of groundwater contamination, as landfill sites in wetlands and low lying floodplains have a higher rate of contaminant leaching; and
• Exacerbate water quality issues from increased stormwater runoff and flooding.

‍

Wetlands play a critical role in protecting downstream water quality. Once filled or degraded, these functions are extremely difficult – if not impossible – to fully restore.

Talking Points

DES especially needs to hear from:

• People who live near the site;
• Those who recreate, fish, hunt or paddle in nearby waterways; and
• Community members who are concerned about flooding, drinking water or habitat loss.

Comments should focus on how the proposed expansion would affect water quality, wetlands, flooding and the uses these waters are meant to support. In your comment, you may wish to:

• Raise concerns about wetland loss, runoff and downstream impacts;
• Demand that DES denies any amendments to the restrictive covenants, which require the wetlands to remain in a natural condition forever;
• Explain how these impacts could harm fishing, wildlife habitat, recreation or other ways people and nature rely on these waters; and/or
• Urge DES to consider alternatives, such as greater investment in construction and demolition debris recycling, a goal already identified in Horry County’s Solid Waste Management Plan, or exploring expansion options in areas that are less environmentally sensitive. Maximum study and analysis should be given to alternative means or techniques.

Public input plays a critical role in how DES evaluates projects – and this is exactly the kind of decision that deserves a full room and a robust public record. Please join us at the hearing and/or submit a written comment if you're able.