South Carolina Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: Comprehensive Guidance Guide

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South Carolina Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide:
Comprehensive Guidance Document
NOAA Marine Debris Program
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
U.S. Department of Commerce
March 2018
Photo: Andy Stein, WeatherNation, Denver, CO
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Original Publication: November 2016
Revision: December 2017
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Table of Contents
List of Acronyms ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Definitions ................................................................................................................................................ 6
1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.1. Purpose ...................................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.2. Scope of Guide ......................................................................................................................................................... 12
1.3. Guide Maintenance ................................................................................................................................................ 13
2. Incident Waterway Debris in South Carolina ............................................................................... 14
2.1. Foreseeable Waterway Debris Incidents in South Carolina ................................................................ 14
2.2. Prominent Debris Types ..................................................................................................................................... 16
3. South Carolina Incident Waterway Debris Response Flowchart ...................................... 19
4. Roles and Responsibilities .......................................................................................................... 21
4.1. Local Agency Responsibilities .......................................................................................................................... 21
4.2. State Agency Responsibilities ........................................................................................................................... 22
4.3. Federal Agency Responsibilities ...................................................................................................................... 28
4.4. Private Landowners ............................................................................................................................................. 34
4.5. Volunteer and Non-Governmental Organizations.................................................................................... 34
4.6. Agency Jurisdiction Map ..................................................................................................................................... 34
5. Permitting and Compliance Requirements in South Carolina ........................................... 36
5.1. State Agency Requirements ............................................................................................................................... 36
5.2. Federal Agency Requirements ......................................................................................................................... 37
5.3. Permitting and Compliance for Waterway Debris Removal in South Carolina One-Pager ..... 43
6. South Carolina Waterway Debris Response Needs ................................................................... 45
6.1. Response Gaps in South Carolina .................................................................................................................... 45
6.1.1 Communication and Planning ............................................................................................................... 45
6.1.2 Policy ............................................................................................................................................................... 46
6.1.3 Funding ........................................................................................................................................................... 46
6.2. Recommended Actions ........................................................................................................................................ 47
6.2.1. Communication and Planning .............................................................................................................. 47
6.2.2. Policy .............................................................................................................................................................. 48
6.2.3 Funding ........................................................................................................................................................... 48
6.3. Additional Resources ........................................................................................................................................... 48
7. References ........................................................................................................................................................ 49
8. Appendices ....................................................................................................................................................... 52
A. South Carolina Coastal Municipalities and Counties with Abandoned Vessel Ordinances ........ 52
B. South Carolina Federal and State Agency Jurisdictions ............................................................................ 53
C. South Carolina Legislation Applicable to Waterway Debris Response .............................................. 54
D. Agency Response Capabilities ............................................................................................................................. 55
E. Organization Contact Information ..................................................................................................................... 58
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List of Acronyms
ACE Ashepoo Combahee Edisto
ACP Area Contingency Plan
ADV Abandoned and Derelict Vessel
APHIS Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
BMP Best Management Practice
BSEE Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
CBRA Coastal Barrier Resources Act
CBRN Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear-Contaminated Debris
CBRS John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System
C&D Construction and Demolition Debris
CERCLA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
(Superfund)
COTP Captain of the Port (of USCG)
DHEC South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
DHS Department of Homeland Security
DNR South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
DoD U.S. Department of Defense
ECP Emergency Conservation Program (of FSA)
EFH Essential Fish Habitat
EOC Emergency Operations Center
EOP Emergency Operations Plan
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ERS Emergency Response Section (of DHEC)
ESA Endangered Species Act
ESF Emergency Support Function
ESI Environmental Sensitivity Index
ESO Ecological Services Office (of USFWS)
EWP Emergency Watershed Protection
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
FOSC Federal On-Scene Coordinator
FSA Farm Service Agency
GIS Geographic Information Systems
HHM Household Hazardous Material
HHW Household Hazardous Waste
JFO Joint Field Office
LIDAR Light Detection and Ranging
MRD Maritime Research Division (of SCIAA)
NCP National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan
NEPA National Environmental Policy Act
NERR National Estuarine Research Reserve
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NMFS NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (also known as NOAA Fisheries)
NOAA National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NPS National Park Service
NRC National Response Center
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
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NRT Navigation Response Team (of NOAA)
NWR National Wildlife Refuge (of USFWS)
OCRM Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (of DHEC)
OCS Outer Continental Shelf
ORR Office of Response and Restoration (of NOAA)
PDA Preliminary Damage Assessment
RCRA Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
ROV Remotely Operated Vehicle
RP Responsible Party
SC South Carolina
SCCZMA South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act
SCCZMP South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Plan
SCDOT South Carolina Department of Transportation
SCEMD South Carolina Emergency Management Division
SCIAA South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology
SERT State Emergency Response Team
SFAA South Carolina State Fiscal Accountability Authority
SHPO State Historic Preservation Office
SOSC State On-Scene Coordinator
SSC Scientific Support Coordinator
SUPSALV U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and Diving
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USC University of South Carolina
USCG U.S. Coast Guard
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
WMA Wildlife Management Area
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Definitions
Abandoned Vessel Any watercraft that has been moored, stranded, wrecked, sinking, or sunk,
and has been left unattended for longer than forty-five days. A watercraft is not abandoned if it is
legally moored or is on private property (S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-10(1)).
Area Contingency Plan (ACP) Reference document prepared by an Area Committee for the use
of all agencies engaged in responding to environmental emergencies in a defined geographic area.
The purpose of the ACP is to define the roles, responsibilities, resources, and procedures necessary
to address oil and hazardous substance incidents. For South Carolina, the ACP is developed by U.S.
Coast Guard District 7, Sector Charleston (U.S. Coast Guard [USCG], 2011).
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear-Contaminated Debris (CBRN) Debris
contaminated by chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear materials (Federal Emergency
Management Agency [FEMA], 2016).
Coastal countySee definition for Coastal zone.
Coastal waters –The navigable waters of the United States subject to the ebb and flood of the tide
and which are saline waters, shoreward to their mean high-water mark (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-
10(f)).
Coastal wetlandsIncludes marshes, mudflats, and shallows and means those areas periodically
inundated by saline waters whether or not the saline waters reach the area naturally or through
artificial water courses and those areas that are normally characterized by the prevalence of saline
water vegetation capable of growth and reproduction (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-10(g)).
Coastal zone (ACP coastal zone) U.S. Coast Guard area of responsibility for response under the
National Contingency Plan, with geographic boundaries defined in the U.S. Coast Guard Sector
Charleston Area Contingency Plan (USCG, 2011).
Coastal zone (under South Carolina Coastal Management Program) – South Carolina’s coastal
zone includes all coastal waters and submerged lands seaward to the state's jurisdictional limits
and all lands and waters in the counties of the state which contain any one or more of the critical
areas. These counties are Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Horry, Jasper, and
Georgetown (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-10(b)).
Construction and Demolition debris (C&D) Components of buildings and structures, such as
lumber and wood, gypsum wallboard, glass, metal, roofing material, tile, carpeting and other floor
coverings, window coverings, pipe, concrete, asphalt, equipment, furnishings, and fixtures (FEMA,
2016).
Critical Area Coastal waters, tidelands, beaches, and/or beach/dune system which is the area
from the mean high-water mark to the setback line as determined. South Carolina Department of
Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) has direct permitting authority over critical areas (S.C.
Code Ann. § 48-39-10(j)).
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Electronic waste (e-waste) – Electronics that contain hazardous materials, such as computer
monitors, televisions, cell phones, and batteries. These products may contain minerals and
chemicals that require specific disposal methods (FEMA, 2016).
Eligible applicant (FEMA definition)Entities who may receive public assistance reimbursement
funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency under the Stafford Act. Eligible
applicants include state and local governments, federally recognized Indian tribal governments, and
certain private non-profits that serve a public function and have the legal responsibility to remove
the debris (FEMA, 2016).
Eligible debris (FEMA definition) Debris that is a direct result of a Presidential major disaster
declaration, in the designated disaster area, and whose removal is in the public interest (i.e.,
eliminating the immediate threat of significant damage to improved public or private property or
ensuring economic recovery of the affected community to the benefit of the community at large).
Debris includes, but is not limited to, vegetative debris, construction and demolition debris, sand,
mud, silt, gravel, rocks, boulders, and vehicle and vessel wreckage. Debris removal from waterways
that is necessary to eliminate the immediate threat to life, public health and safety, or improved
property is considered eligible (FEMA, 2016).
Emergency (state definition) – Any unusual incident resulting from natural or unnatural causes
which endanger the health, safety, or resources of the residents of the state, including damages or
erosion to any beach or shore resulting from a hurricane, storm, or other such violent disturbance.
(S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-10(u)).
Emergency (FEMA definition) Any occasion or instance for which, in the determination of the
President, federal assistance is needed to supplement state and local efforts and capabilities to save
lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a
catastrophe in any part of the United States (42 U.S.C. § 5122(1)).
Emergency (NOAA Fisheries definition) A situation involving an act of God, disasters,
casualties, national defense or security emergencies, etc., and includes response activities that must
be taken to prevent imminent loss of human life or property (National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration [NOAA], n.d.-a).
Emergency (USACE definition) A situation which would result in an unacceptable hazard to life,
a significant loss of property, or an immediate, unforeseen, and significant economic hardship if
corrective action requiring a permit is not undertaken within a time period less than the normal
time needed to process the application under standard procedures (33 C.F.R. § 325.2(e)(4)).
Emergency Support Function (ESF) Mechanism for grouping functions most frequently used to
provide federal support to states and federal-to-federal support, both for declared disasters and
emergencies under the Stafford Act and for non-Stafford Act incidents. The state of South Carolina
also adopts the federal ESFs and assigns corresponding state agencies to each ESF in the South
Carolina Emergency Operations Plan as prepared by South Carolina Emergency Management
Division (South Carolina Emergency Management Division [SCEMD], 2016). Incident waterway
debris removal operations typically fall within ESF-3, Public Works and Engineering and ESF-10, Oil
and Hazardous Materials Response.
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Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) MapMaps produced by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration that are a compilation of information about coastal shoreline
sensitivity, biological resources, and human use resources. This information is used in planning to
create cleanup strategies before an accident occurs so that authorities are prepared to act in the
event of such a spill (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2016a).
Federally maintained waterways and channelsA waterway that has been authorized by
Congress and which U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates and maintains for general (including
commercial and recreational) navigation (FEMA, 2016).
Hazard to navigation (USCG definition)An obstruction, usually sunken, that presents sufficient
danger to navigation so as to require expeditious, affirmative action such as marking, removal, or
re-definition of a designated waterway to provide for navigational safety (33 C.F.R. § 64.06).
Hazardous wasteRegulated under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and
contains properties that make it potentially harmful to human health or the environment. A RCRA
hazardous waste is a waste that appears on one of the four hazardous waste lists or exhibits at least
one of the following four characteristics: ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, or toxicity (FEMA,
2016).
Household Hazardous Waste/Material (HHW/HHM)Hazardous products and materials that
are used and disposed of by residential consumers, including some paints, stains, varnishes,
solvents, pesticides, and other products containing volatile chemicals that catch fire, react, or
explode under certain circumstances or that are corrosive or toxic (FEMA, 2016).
Improved property (FEMA definition) – Any structure, facility, or equipment that was built,
constructed, or manufactured. Examples include buildings, levees, roads, and vehicles. Land used
for agricultural purposes is not improved property, nor are vacant lots, forests, heavily wooded
areas, and unused areas (44 C.F.R. § 206.221(d)).
Incident waterway debris See definition for Waterway debris.
Infectious waste Waste capable of causing infections in humans and can include animal waste,
human blood and blood products, medical waste, pathological waste, and discarded sharps
(needles, scalpels, or broken medical instruments) (FEMA, 2016).
Inland zone (ACP inland zone) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency area of responsibility for
response under the National Contingency Plan, with geographic boundaries defined in the U.S.
Coast Guard Sector Charleston Area Contingency Plan (USCG, 2011).
Litter LawA person, from a vehicle or otherwise, may not dump, throw, drop, deposit, discard, or
otherwise dispose of litter or other solid waste, as defined by Section 44-96-40(46) of the South
Carolina Code of Law, upon public or private property or waters in the state including, but not
limited to, a highway, park, beach, campground, forest land, recreational area, trailer park, road,
street, or alley (S.C. Code Ann. § 16-11-700).
Major disaster (FEMA definition) Any natural catastrophe (including any hurricane, tornado,
storm, high water, wind-driven water, tidal wave, tsunami, earthquake, volcanic eruption, landslide,
mudslide, snowstorm, or drought), or, regardless of cause, any fire, flood, or explosion, in any part
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of the United States, which in the determination of the President causes damage of sufficient
severity and magnitude to warrant major disaster assistance under this Act to supplement the
efforts and available resources of states, local governments, and disaster relief organizations in
alleviating the damage, loss, hardship, or suffering caused thereby (42 U.S.C. § 5122(2)).
Marine debris (NOAA definition)Any persistent solid material that is manufactured or
processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into
the marine environment or Great Lakes (33 U.S.C. § 1956(3)).
Marine district – The waters of the Atlantic Ocean within three nautical miles from the coast line of
the state (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-1-10(3)).
Mean high waterThe average of all the high water heights observed over the National Tidal
Datum Epoch (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2000). The mean high
water line is also used to designate the shoreline in coastal South Carolina (S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-
10(51)).
National Contingency Plan (NCP) Federal regulation (National Oil and Hazardous Substances
Pollution Contingency Plan) that defines the authorities and responsibilities of designated federal
agencies for responding to releases of oil, pollutants, and hazardous substances (U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency [EPA], 2016).
Navigable waters (state definition) – All waters belonging to the state which are navigable in fact
or were navigable in the past. The term includes rivers and streams in which the tide ebbs and
flows (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-620(26)).
Navigable waterways (federal definitions)Navigable waterways include both those waterways
which are federally maintained and those waterways which are not federally maintained. U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers defines navigable waters of the United States as those waters that are subject to
the ebb and flow of the tide and/or are presently used, or have been used in the past, or may be
susceptible for use to transport interstate or foreign commerce. A determination of navigability,
once made, applies laterally over the entire surface of the waterbody, and is not extinguished by
later actions or events which impede or destroy navigable capacity (33 C.F.R. § 329.4; 33 C.F.R. §
2.36). Because the Federal Emergency Management Agency only funds waterway debris removal
when another federal agency does not have authority to fund the activity, their definition for
navigable waterways (non-federally maintained) includes public waterways that are currently used
for commercial and recreational navigation traffic and are not federally maintained or under the
authority of a federal agency (FEMA, 2016).
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)The submerged lands, subsoil, and seabed, lying between the
seaward extent of the states' jurisdiction and the seaward extent of federal jurisdiction. The OCS is
subject to the jurisdiction and control of the federal government (Bureau of Ocean Energy
Management, n.d.).
Pollution (1) The presence in the environment of any substance, including, but not limited to,
sewage, industrial waste, other waste, air contaminant, or any combination thereof in such quantity
and of such characteristics and duration as may cause, or tend to cause the environment of the state
to be contaminated, unclean, noxious, odorous, impure or degraded, or which is, or tends to be
injurious to human health or welfare; or which damages property, plant, animal or marine life or
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use of property; or (2) the man-made or man-induced alteration of the chemical, physical,
biological, and radiological integrity of water (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-1-10(7)).
Putrescent debrisDebris that will decompose or rot, such as animal carcasses and other fleshy
organic matter (FEMA, 2016).
Recoverable waterway debrisGenerally any documented vessel, vehicle, recreational vehicle, or
shipping container traceable to an owner (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers [USACE], 2010).
Severe marine debris event (NOAA definition)An atypically large amount of marine debris
caused by a natural disaster, including a tsunami, flood, landslide, or hurricane, or other source (33
U.S.C. § 1956(6)).
Soil, Mud, and SandSoil, mud, and sand can be deposited after floods, landslides, winds, and
storm surges on improved public property and rights-of-way (FEMA, 2016).
Stafford Act The Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, as amended,
provides the authorities and funding for federal support to state and local entities in responding to
Presidential major disaster and emergency declarations (U.S. Department of Homeland Security
[DHS], 2013).
State Emergency Operations Center (EOC) – A facility located in West Columbia, in which all
members of the State Emergency Response Team coordinate the response to major disasters in
South Carolina (SCEMD, n.d.).
State-owned submerged lands See definition for Submerged lands.
State seaward boundary See definition for Marine district.
Submerged lands – Lands beneath or substantially beneath the territorial waters of the state or
which are submerged at mean low tide (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-620(44)). See definition for
Territorial waters.
Territorial waters – The navigable waters of the state, namely, all tidal waters within the
boundaries of the state up to, but not above, the line of mean low tide and seaward to a line three
geographical miles distant from the coastline of the state measured by reference to mean low tide
elevation as defined in the Geneva Convention, Article 11, and such other waters of the state as may
be included within the term "lands beneath navigable waters" as defined in the Federal Abandoned
Shipwreck Act of 1987 (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-620(47)).
Tidally influenced waters (Tidal waters)waters that rise and fall in a predictable and
measurable rhythm or cycle due to the gravitational pulls of the moon and sun (33 C.F.R. § 328.3).
Tidelands – All areas which are at or below mean high tide and coastal wetlands, mudflats, and
similar areas that are contiguous or adjacent to coastal waters and are an integral part of the
estuarine systems involved (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-10(g)).
Vegetative debris Whole trees, tree stumps, tree branches, tree trunks, and other leafy material.
May be recyclable or have salvage value (FEMA, 2016).
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Vehicles and Vessels (FEMA definition)Vehicles and vessels damaged, destroyed, displaced, or
lost as a result of a disaster. These vehicles and vessels may eventually be abandoned because of the
damage incurred or because the original owners have relocated. Vehicles and vessels may be
classified as debris if they block public access and critical facilities (FEMA, 2016).
Vessel – Every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane regulated by the federal
government, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water (S.C. Code Ann. §
50-21-10(25)).
Waterway debris (Incident waterway debris) Any solid material, including but not limited to
vegetative debris and debris exposed to oil, hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants, that
enters a waterway following an acute release incident and poses a threat to the natural or man-
made environment. This may include shoreline debris and debris in some inland, non-tidal
waterways.
White goodsDiscarded household appliances such as refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners,
heat pumps, ovens, ranges, washing machines, clothes dryers, and water heaters. May contain
ozone-depleting refrigerants, mercury, or compressor oils that must be removed before disposal.
May be recyclable or have salvage value (FEMA, 2016).
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1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The purpose of this document is to improve preparedness for response and recovery operations
following an acute waterway debris incident in coastal South Carolina. The term acute waterway
debris incident is used to generally describe an incident either natural or anthropogenic that
results in the release of large amounts of waterway debris. This document outlines existing
response structures at the local, state, and federal levels to facilitate a coordinated, well-managed,
and immediate response to waterway debris incidents impacting the state of South Carolina.
Individual organization roles and responsibilities are presented in text form as well as in a
consolidated one-page flowchart which functions as a decision tree for waterway debris response.
The document also includes an overview of permitting and compliance requirements that must be
met before waterway debris removal work begins. This information is also synthesized in a one-
page reference handout.
Because all incidents are different, in reality some aspects of waterway debris response are
subjective and not solely dependent on prevailing roles and authorities. This is especially true
following a major, catastrophic, or unprecedented incident. This guide seeks to capture the most
likely response structure and actions with the understanding that flexibility is an inherent
component of an effective response.
The South Carolina Marine Debris Emergency Response Guide: Comprehensive Guidance Document
(Guide) serves as a complete reference for South Carolina incident waterway debris response. The
accompanying Field Reference Guide only includes the most pertinent information for quick
reference in the field and during emergency response operations.
1.2 Scope of Guide
The Guide addresses potential acute waterway debris incidents affecting South Carolina’s coastline.
For purposes of this document, the term waterway debris (or incident waterway debris) is used in
lieu of the term marine debris. In 33 U.S.C. § 1956(3), marine debris is defined as any persistent
solid material that is manufactured or processed and directly or indirectly, intentionally or
unintentionally, disposed of or abandoned into the marine environment or Great Lakes. Although
vegetative debris is not included in the legal definition for marine debris, South Carolina
stakeholders have identified it as a common debris stream of concern following disasters in the
state. To account for both marine debris and vegetative debris in this document, the term
waterway debris is used and includes any solid material, including but not limited to vegetative
debris and debris exposed to or that has the potential to release oil, hazardous substances,
pollutants or contaminants, that enters a waterway following an acute incident and poses a threat
to the natural or man-made environment. This may include shoreline and wetland debris and
debris in some inland, non-tidal waterways. This Guide specifically addresses waterway debris
resulting from acute episodic incidents, such as disaster debris, and may not apply to chronic
waterway debris issues.
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1.3 Guide Maintenance
This Guide is a living document and is subject to change as additional information becomes
available and updates are needed. The Guide will be maintained by the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Marine Debris Division in coordination with federal, state,
and local stakeholders. Contact information will be verified annually, and the Guide will undergo a
formal review every three years. The Comprehensive Guidance Document and subsequent versions
will be posted on NOAA’s Marine Debris Division website at https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/
(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2016b).
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2. Incident Waterway Debris in South Carolina
2.1 Foreseeable Waterway Debris Incidents in South Carolina
South Carolina is ranked the 10th fastest growing state in the nation, with especially rapid growth
along the coast. With jurisdiction over 1,080 square miles of coastal and inland water, the state is
particularly vulnerable to the impacts of incident waterway debris (South Carolina Emergency
Management Division [SCEMD], 2013).
Eight of the 46 counties in South Carolina make up the coastal zone. This area is home to over 27%
of the state’s population (SCEMD, 2016) and serves as the destination for over 18 million annual
visitors (South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, 2014). In Horry and
Georgetown counties, tourism is the largest driver of economic growth, supporting 75,000 jobs
(SCEMD, 2013). The coastal zone also supports several environmentally-sensitive natural areas
including National Forests, National Wildlife Refuges, National Estuarine Research Reserves, and
Wildlife Management Areas.
South Carolina’s geographic location and low elevation along the coast make it susceptible to many
weather-related hazards. Since 1954, the state has experienced 25 federally declared disasters
including 17 major disaster declarations (Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA], n.d.).
The most recent major disaster was a severe flooding event on October 2015 which resulted in 1.5
billion dollars in damage and a large amount of debris clogging streams and endangering human
health (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2016d). Severe storms account
for the most financial losses in South Carolina, and though less frequent, hurricanes and
earthquakes have the potential to be the most financially disastrous (SCEMD, 2013).
Figure 1 shows the relationship between probability (likelihood) and consequence (potential social,
economic, and infrastructural loss or damage) for natural and anthropogenic hazards in South
Carolina (SCEMD, 2016). The yellow highlighted hazards are those with the potential to release
debris into waterways, wetlands, and/or shorelines. In South Carolina, hazards that occur
frequently and cause significant damage (top right quadrant of Figure 1) are those which the state
spends the most time planning for. Most hazards that generate waterway debris fall within this
category.
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Figure 1. Relationship between probability and consequence (potential loss) for natural and
anthropogenic hazards in South Carolina. Hazards highlighted in yellow are those with potential to
generate waterway debris. Image obtained from the South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan
(SCEMD, 2016).
As part of the South Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan (SCEMD, 2013), both probability and
consequence of hazards are analyzed quantitatively and combined to provide a total “All-Hazard
Score” for each county. The All-Hazard Score is then added to a social vulnerability score to
determine “Place Vulnerability” (Figure 2). Counties that have an elevated Place Vulnerability have
a high hazard risk and pose a greater challenge for emergency managers. Charleston County has the
highest Place Vulnerability score overall. Charleston County is vulnerable to all hazards and is also
located in the highest earthquake hazard area on the East Coast. Detailed hazard risk analyses and
impacts at the local level can be found in the South Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan and in county
mitigation strategies (SCEMD, 2013).
Tornado
HazMat Spill/Release
Winter Weather
Hurricane/
Tropical Storm
Severe Thunderstorm
Tsunami
Dam Failure
Earthquake
Nuclear Facility Release
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Figure 2. Place Vulnerability based on annual probability of hazards. Place Vulnerability is
determined by adding the total Hazard Score to a calculated social vulnerability score. Image
obtained from the South Carolina Hazard Mitigation Plan (SCEMD, 2013).
2.2 Prominent Debris Types
Some agency authorities are dependent on both the location and type of debris. Therefore, response
to debris in South Carolina waterways may vary depending on the debris type to be removed.
Primary debris types generated after a disaster as defined by the Federal Emergency Management
Agency (FEMA, 2016) include the following:
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear-Contaminated (CBRN)
Construction and Demolition (C&D)
Electronic waste (e-waste)
Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous Waste/Material (HHW/HHM)
Infectious Waste
Putrescent Debris
Soil, Mud, and Sand
Vegetative Debris
Vehicles and Vessels
White Goods
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A description of each debris type is included in the Definitions section of this document. It is
difficult to predict the exact mix of waterway debris that will be generated after a disaster since
different types of hazard incidents generally result in different debris types. Table 1 includes an
overview of typical debris streams for several natural hazards. Although Table 1 only covers
natural hazards, man-made hazards such as an accident during waterway commerce are also
concerns. Anthropogenic hazards are highly variable in both quantity and type of waterway debris
released.
Table 1. Typical debris streams for different types of hazard incidents. Data adapted from Federal
Emergency Management Agency (2007).
The type and quantity of waterway debris generated after a disaster is highly dependent on land
use and existing infrastructure along South Carolina waterways. For example, protected
undeveloped areas near Ashepoo Combahee Edisto (ACE) Basin National Wildlife Refuge are likely
to generate vegetative debris, while developed properties in Charleston are likely to generate C&D
debris. A land cover map for South Carolina is depicted in Figure 3 and illustrates the distribution
of land use types in the state, including developed lands. Increased development in the floodplain
will increase the likelihood of waterway debris following a natural hazard event.
Typical Debris Streams
Vegetative
Construction and
Demolition (C&D)
Hazardous Waste
Household Hazardous
Waste (HHW)
White Goods
Soil, Mud, and Sand
Vehicles and Vessels
Putrescent
Personal Property,
Household Items
Natural Hazards
Floods
XXXXXXXXX
Hurricanes/Tropical Storms
XXXXXXXXX
Tornadoes/Wind Storms
XXXXX XXX
Winter/Ice Storms
X X
Earthquakes
XX X X X X
Tsunamis
XXXXXXXXX
Natural Hazards
18
Figure 3. Land cover map for the coastal region of South Carolina (National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2016e).
Charleston
19
3. South Carolina Incident Waterway Debris Response Flowchart
The South Carolina Incident Waterway Debris Response Flowchart” included in this section
provides a visual one-page representation of agency roles and responsibilities. The flowchart
functions as a decision tree for waterway debris response with color-coded endpoints. Yellow
endpoints represent response to waterway debris that is exposed to or has the potential to release
oil, hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants. Blue endpoints represent response to
waterway debris that is not exposed to and does not have the potential to release oil, hazardous
substances, pollutants or contaminants. Endpoints within the green shaded area indicate that
response may occur under Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act
(Stafford Act) authorities and/or funding.
For detailed information regarding individual organization roles, responsibilities, and authorities,
see Section 4.
20
South Carolina Incident Waterway Debris Response Flowchart
Yes No
Debris in federally
maintained
waterway
USACE may remove
debris or oversee
removal by RP. If a
hazard to
navigation, USCG
will mark debris or
remove in some
cases.
Is waterway debris exposed to or does it have the
potential to release oil or hazardous substances?
Pollution threat, debris in public
waters or lands
Report to NRC 1-800-424-8802
and DHEC ERS 1-888-481-0125
Response managed at lowest
jurisdictional level capable of
handling the removal:
Local State Federal
If state-led response, DHEC
leads response
If federal assistance required,
USCG or EPA oversees response
by RP. Generally, response led
by USCG in ACP Coastal Zone
and by EPA in ACP Inland Zone.
Under NCP, USCG/EPA may
respond without a request
from local, state, or tribal
governments
Debris in public waters or lands, no pollution
threat
Response managed at lowest jurisdictional
level capable of handling the removal: Local
State
Some counties may have contracts in
place for debris removal
Local and/or DNR Law Enforcement agencies
may lead investigation to identify RP for ADVs
ADVs can be reported through DHEC’s
MyCoast app
If a state declared disaster, SC SFAA Office of
State Engineer leads coordination under ESF-3
NGOs and private organizations may have
volunteer groups able to assist with debris
removal
SCDOT will remove debris obstructing
bridges or associated SCDOT maintained
infrastructure
Note: Most submerged lands waterward of
the mean high water line beneath navigable
fresh water or tidally-influenced waters are
property of the state. DNR and DHEC regulate
many of the activities that utilize these lands.
Debris in federal waters or on
federal lands
Federal lands: Federal lands on
South Carolina’s coast are owned
by NPS, USFWS, and DoD who are
responsible for debris removal on
their lands. These agencies may
coordinate with local or state
governments to remove debris.
Federal waters: No federal agency
actively removes waterway debris
in federal waters unless it is a
pollution threat or in a USACE
federally maintained waterway or
channel
START
Yes No
ADV Abandoned and Derelict Vessel
ACP Area Contingency Plan
DHEC SC Department of Health and Environmental
Control
DoD U.S. Department of Defense
DNR SC Department of Natural Resources
EPA U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
ERS DHEC’s Emergency Response Section
ESF Emergency Support Function
EWP Emergency Watershed Protection
FEMA Federal Emergency Management Agency
NCP National Oil & Hazardous Substance
Contingency Plan
NGO Non-Governmental Organization
NPS National Park Service
NRC National Response Center
Debris in federally maintained
waterway (pollution threat)
Report to NRC 1-800-424-
8802
Removal authorized under
NCP.
USCG oversees response by
RP. If vessel with no RP, USCG
removes pollution threat
(battery, oil) and generally
leaves vessel in place. USACE
may remove vessel.
Debris on private property
Refer to homeowner insurance
policy. If a Stafford Act or NRCS
State Conservationist Declaration,
check FEMA Public Assistance and
NRCS EWP eligibility in Section 4.
Is waterway debris on private property?
No Yes
No Yes
Flowchart Key
Response to waterway debris that is exposed
to or has the potential to release oil, hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants
Response to waterway debris that is not
exposed to and does not have the potential to
release oil, hazardous substances, pollutants,
or contaminants
Waterway Debris/Incident Waterway Debris
Any solid material, including but not limited to vegetative debris and debris exposed to or that has
the potential to release oil, hazardous substances, pollutants or contaminants, that enters a
waterway following an acute incident and poses a threat to the natural or man-made environment.
This may include shoreline and wetland debris and debris in some inland, non-tidal waterways.
Acronyms
NRCS Natural Resources Conservation Service
RP Responsible Party (Owner, Operator, Lessee)
SCDOT SC Department of Transportation
SCEMD SC Emergency Management Division
SFAA SC State Fiscal Accountability Authority
USACE U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
USCG U.S. Coast Guard
USFWS U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Is waterway debris exposed to or
does it have the potential to release
oil or hazardous substances?
Yes No
Is waterway debris in a USACE federally maintained
waterway or channel, or immediately adjacent thereto?
Is waterway debris in federal
waters (beyond 3 n. mi.) or on
federal lands?
Potential funding during declared
disasters
In the event of a Stafford Act or NRCS
State Conservationist declared disaster,
some costs associated with debris
removal from public waters or lands (non
federal) may be reimbursed by FEMA or
NRCS, if eligible. Check FEMA Public
Assistance and NRCS EWP requirements
and eligibility criteria in Section 4.3
Section 4.3.
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4. Roles and Responsibilities
In South Carolina response to an acute waterway debris incident is generally managed at the lowest
jurisdictional level capable of handling the response and removal (SCEMD, 2016). Each county in
South Carolina is responsible for emergency management within its jurisdictional boundaries and
will conduct emergency operations according to established plans and procedures. Should a
disaster or emergency be beyond the capabilities of local government, requests for state and/or
federal assistance are made to the State Emergency Operations Center (EOC).
Local, state, and federal agency roles and responsibilities as they relate to waterway debris
response are outlined in the following sections followed by responsibilities of private landowners,
volunteer, and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
For a visual one-page representation of agency roles and responsibilities, see “South Carolina
Incident Waterway Debris Response Flowchart” in Section 3. For a map defining agency
jurisdictional authorities, see Section 4.6. Additionally, response capabilities and corresponding
agency contact information can be found in Appendix D and E, respectively.
4.1 Local Agency Responsibilities
May act as first responders to reports of waterway debris incidents which impact South
Carolina’s eight coastal counties and their municipalities
County emergency management agencies are the lead local agencies for emergency
planning, preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery
o Following a Stafford Act declaration, local emergency management agency offices
serve as the first point for contact with the South Carolina Emergency Management
Division (SCEMD)
o Develops a county emergency operations plan (EOP) as required by South Carolina
regulation (S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-420(a)), which outlines the roles and
responsibilities of the county emergency management organization
o Provides resource coordination and support to on-scene incident commanders
during response and recovery, including the ability to request external resources
from SCEMD
o Establishes and conducts emergency preparedness exercises and training programs
Following a Stafford Act declaration, may serve as eligible applicant and receive public
assistance reimbursement funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
(FEMA) to perform or contract waterway debris removal
o As an applicant, responsible for determining ownership of recoverable waterway
debris, providing a staging area for temporary storage of recoverable waterway
debris, and demonstrating the pre-disaster condition and capacity of waterways
Following any disaster that causes a sudden watershed impairment that threatens lives or
property, may apply to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) State
Conservationist for Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program assistance to perform
or contract waterway debris removal. See “South Carolina Incident Waterway Debris
Response Flowchart” in Section 3 for EWP eligibility criteria.
Required to have a comprehensive beach management plan that contains a post-disaster
plan including plans for cleanup (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-350)
22
Local law enforcement officers may lead investigation to identify the owner of a vessel that
appears to be abandoned. Officers may issue citations or tickets for vessels that appear to
be abandoned and in some cases may remove abandoned or derelict vessels.
Select local authorities:
South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan (SCEMD, 2016), which includes a list of enabling
legislation
Custody and notice of unclaimed stranded goods (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-10)
Duties of state, county, and municipal governments for mutual assistance in emergencies
(S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-450(2))
Local comprehensive beach management plan (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-350)
Plan developed in cooperation with local governments (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-100)
4.2 State Agency Responsibilities
Select state authorities:
Duties of state, county, and municipal governments for mutual assistance in emergencies
(S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-450(1))
South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan (SCEMD, 2016), which includes a list of
references and authorities
South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 44-96)
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
Ensures compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act
Reviews proposed debris removal activities to evaluate potential impacts to historic
properties
Advises South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) Office of
Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM) regarding potential impacts of permitted
activities on historical and archaeological sites within the eight-county coastal zone per the
State's Coastal Zone Management Plan (SCCZMP)
For additional information on SHPO compliance requirements, see Section 5
Select SHPO authorities:
National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C § 470 et seq.
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
Serves as a support agency for ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering and lead agency for
ESF-10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response as outlined in the state’s Emergency
Operations Plan (SCEMD, 2016)
Designates a State On-Scene Coordinator (SOSC) who is responsible for determining DHEC’s
level and method of response (USCG, 2011)
Coordinates with local municipalities for water and sewer service restoration, debris
management, potable water supply, and engineering requirements as soon as possible after
a disaster (SCEMD, 2016)
23
Emergency Response Section (ERS)
Serves as lead agency for the coordination of ESF-10 administrative, management, planning,
preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery activities to include developing,
coordinating, and maintaining the ESF-10 Standard Operating Procedures which detail both
radiological and non-radiological responsibilities
Maintains a toll-free 24-hour emergency response line for reporting chemical spills, oil
spills, or fish kills
o For contact information, see Appendix E
Office of Environmental Quality Control
Provides overall guidance concerning water supply matters and provides guidance for solid
waste disposal
Provides technical assistance concerning the disposal of waste materials, including
household hazardous waste, agricultural waste, and debris containing or consisting of
animal carcasses
Provides and/or coordinates technical assistance on hazards known to be present in the
disaster area including decontamination and long-term remediation
Provides technical assistance for hazardous material recognition, identification, and
decontamination
Provides expertise on environmental effects of oil discharges, or releases of hazardous
substances, pollutants, or contaminants and environmental pollution control techniques
Coordinates decontamination activities with appropriate local, state, and federal agencies
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM)
Serves as the state coastal management agency and is responsible for implementing the
state’s Coastal Management Program, including the direct regulation of impacts to coastal
resources within the critical areas of the state including coastal waters, tidelands, beaches
and beach dune systems and indirect certification authority over federal actions and state
permit decisions within the eight coastal counties
Reviews all state and federal permit applications for activities within the eight-county
coastal zone for consistency with the State's Coastal Zone Management Plan (SCCZMP). For
additional information on SCCZMP permits and compliance requirements, see Section 5.
Established an abandoned and derelict vessel (ADV) working group with federal, state, and
local partners to leverage the removal of ADVs from coastal waterways
o May require removal of vessels deemed abandoned by OCRM that are located within
the critical area
o Upon notification by OCRM, the owner of the abandoned vessel or structure will
have 30 days from date of notification to remove it from the critical area at his or
her expense
o Abandoned boats, barges, or other watercraft whose ownership cannot be
established may be removed from the critical area by any person, at their expense,
and in accordance with S.C. Code Ann. § 50-23-290
Works with communities and partners across the state to support recycling and waste
management, reduce debris in coastal and marine environments, and lead outreach and
education initiatives targeting marine debris
Manages MyCoast (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control
[DHEC], n.d.): South Carolina web application for citizens to easily report ADVs and coastal
hazard events within South Carolina
24
Select DHEC authorities:
Coastal Tidelands and Wetlands Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-10 et seq.)
Pollution Control Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-1 et seq.)
South Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 44-56 et seq.)
Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-14-10 et seq.)
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (DNR)
Has jurisdiction over all marine resources within the salt waters of the state, including the
territorial waters
Regulates certain activities that may utilize lands submerged under navigable waters. While
DNR regulates the activity itself, it does not regulate the use of submerged lands.
Serves as a support agency for ESF-10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response
o Provides technical advice and assistance on wildlife and environmentally sensitive
areas of the state
o Provides all-terrain vehicles, boats, and four-wheel drive vehicles to aid in the
investigation of spills and releases
o Provides aircraft for air surveillance and transportation of essential personnel and
environmental samples
Land, Water and Conservation Division
Serves as a support agency for both ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering and ESF-10 Oil
and Hazardous Materials Response
Provides engineering inspectors and water testing capability
Provides funding and guidance to South Carolina’s 46 soil and water conservation districts
to facilitate the protection and enhancement of the state’s soil and water resources
Coordinates habitat protection efforts such as the State Scenic Rivers Program, which
manages and conserves designated river systems through individual management plans
Law Enforcement Division
Responsible for the enforcement of state and federal laws that govern recreational and
commercial fishing, recreational boating, and other natural resources conservation
concerns
Jurisdiction covers the coastal marine shoreline and waters out to 200 miles (SC DNR, n.d.)
Maintains a 24-hour toll-free number for reports of a conservation law violation
o For contact information, see Appendix E
Identifies and tags vessels that are or may become abandoned or derelict
Issues citations or tickets for vessels that are deemed abandoned or illegally moored
May lead or assist in investigation to identify the owner of a vessel that appears to be
abandoned
Conducts pre- and post-storm river sweeps along the coast of South Carolina. During pre-
storm sweeps, focus is on vessels that are anchored.
Marine Resources Division
Conducts monitoring and research on the state’s marine resources and makes
recommendations for the management of those resources through the Marine Resources
Research Institute
25
Manages the Ashepoo Combahee Edisto (ACE) Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve
(NERR) through a partnership with NOAA. May remove waterway debris located within the
Reserve. For a map of NERRs in South Carolina, see Section 4.6
Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division
Responsible for the development, operation, and maintenance of the state’s Wildlife
Management Area (WMA) Program, which provides managed habitat for the protection,
enhancement, and utilization of a wide variety of wildlife species
o Manages approximately 1.5 million acres of DNR owned or leased WMAs
o May remove waterway debris located within the WMAs
o For a map of WMAs in South Carolina, see Section 4.6
Select DNR authorities:
Department of Natural Resources to provide additional personnel (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-
60)
South Carolina Boating and Safety Act of 1999t (S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21et seq.)
General duties and powers (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-9-290)
Jurisdiction of Department of Natural Resources (S.C. Code Ann. § 50-5-20)
Penalties (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-170)
Statewide authority of enforcement officers (S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-340)
Tom Yawkey Wildlife Center Trust Fund (S.C. Code Ann. § 50-3-1010)
South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
Serves as support agency for ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering and ESF-10 Oil and
Hazardous Materials Response
Provides communication, heavy equipment, personnel, and transportation support during
ESF-10 activation
Responds to statewide emergencies and provides assistance to emergency response teams
Responsible for the maintenance and repair of bridges and other coastal transportation
infrastructure. Will remove or coordinate the removal of waterway debris that is
obstructing a bridge or other SCDOT maintained infrastructure.
Select SCDOT authorities:
Department of Transportation (S.C. Code Ann. § 57-3 et seq.)
South Carolina Emergency Management Division (SCEMD)
Coordinates statewide emergency management program as lead state agency for
emergency preparedness, mitigation, response, and recovery
Prepares and implements the state EOP and assists political subdivisions in preparing and
maintaining local emergency operations plans
Maintains state Hazard Mitigation Plan (SCEMD, 2013)
Organizes the State Emergency Response Team (SERT) to provide a viable response and
manage recovery resources and assets
Prepares to assist counties based on identified needs through the use of state assets and by
intra- and inter-state mutual aid agreements
Conducts comprehensive assessments of threats to the state and updates existing
emergency operations and hazard mitigation plans
Facilitates the process for requesting a Presidential major disaster declaration
26
After a Presidential major disaster declaration, integrates efforts with FEMA’s Joint Field
Office (JFO)
o Facilitates recovery from the impact of a hurricane by requesting FEMA perform a
joint Preliminary Damage Assessment (PDA) as soon as practical after impact.
o Plans and conducts applicants’ briefings in all affected counties to inform potential
applicants of available federal funding and how to apply for and use federal funds
for recovery
o Acts as the conduit for federal funds
o Coordinates with regulatory agencies to expedite acquisition of environmental
compliance documents needed by applicants
o Deploys to field offices to lend technical assistance and meet with regulatory
agencies, contractors and/or applicants to correct debris problems that may affect
funding
o Provides guidelines for debris operations under programs such as FEMA’s public
assistance program
Provides debris management technical assistance to local governments including pre-event
planning, debris operations assistance, and aiding in closure of public assistance grants
Reviews debris management plans for compliance with FEMA pilot program guidelines,
debris removal contracts, and private property ordinances prior to or after an event
Select SCEMD authorities:
South Carolina Emergency Management Division (S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-420)
South Carolina Emergency Operations Plan (SCEMD, 2016) which includes a list of enabling
legislation
South Carolina State Fiscal Accountability Authority (SFAA)
Division of Procurement Services
Office of State Engineer
Serves as the lead state agency for ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering
Identifies, trains, and assigns personnel to staff ESF-3 in the state EOC
Coordinates with ESF-3 support agencies and local municipalities to identify water and
sewer service restoration, debris management, clearance, removal including disposal of
contaminated and uncontaminated debris from public property, potable water supply, and
engineering requirements
Coordinates assistance (to include vessel removal, significant marine debris removal, and
hydrographic survey) to affect the rapid recovery and reconstitution of critical waterways,
channels, and ports (SCEMD, 2016)
Develops and maintains list of design professionals and construction contractors associated
with public works and engineering functions
Select SFAA authorities:
Creation of the Office of State Engineer (S.C. Code Ann. § 11-35-830)
South Carolina State Ports Authority
Owns and operates public marine terminals at two port facilities in South Carolina including
the Port of Charleston and the Port of Georgetown
Serves as a support agency for ESF-10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response (SCEMD,
2016)
27
Coordinates resources, provides storage space, and supports large oil and hazardous
material release response in the port area
May request assistance from NOAA’s Navigation Response Team (NRT) to survey ports and
near-shore waterways to identify dangerous objects or changes in water depth following a
disaster
Jurisdiction within the state extends over the waters and shores of authorized harbors or
seaports and over that part of all tributary streams flowing into such harbors or seaports in
which the tide ebbs and flows and extends to the outer edge of the outer bar
Select State Ports Authority authorities:
Jurisdiction and powers of Authority over harbor and bay of Charleston (S.C. Code Ann.
§ 54-3-810)
Ports Authority management (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-3-101 et seq.)
Powers of Authority as to erection or removal of wharves, docks and other structures
(S.C. Code Ann. § 54-3-610)
Purposes and powers generally (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-3-110 et seq.)
Submission of plan by State Ports Authority (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-110)
University of South Carolina (USC)
Belle W. Baruch Institute for Marine and Coastal Sciences
Manages the North Inlet-Winyah Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve (NERR) through
a partnership with NOAA
Coordinates clean-up efforts within the North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR
May work in coordination with federal and local partners to remove debris and/or
abandoned vessels from North Inlet-Winyah Bay NERR
Implements the System-Wide Monitoring Program which provides standardized,
quantitative data on how Reserve conditions change in both the short and long term
For a map of NERRs sites in South Carolina, see Section 4.6
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA)
Maritime Research Division
Advises the State Historic Preservation Office, other state, federal and public agencies, and
private individuals on archaeological site protection, preservation, conservation, and
compliance related activities. For additional information on compliance requirements, see
Section 5.
Maintains a research database of state underwater archaeology sites
Oversees and implements the Underwater Antiquities Act
Select USC authorities:
South Carolina Institute of Archeology and Anthropology (S.C. Code Ann. § 60-13-210 et
seq.)
Underwater Antiquities Act of 1991 (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-610 et seq.)
28
4.3 Federal Agency Responsibilities
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS)
Veterinary Services program provides for removal and burial of diseased animal carcasses
Manages Plant Protection and Quarantine program to reduce the risk of introduction and
spread of invasive species through planning, surveillance, quick detection, and containment
Select APHIS authorities:
Animal Health Protection Act (7 U.S.C § 8301 et seq.)
Plant Protection Act (7 U.S.C § 7701 et seq.)
Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE)
Manages a Marine Trash and Debris Program to eliminate debris associated with oil and gas
operations on the Outer Continental Shelf (OCS)
Regulates marine trash and debris for oil and gas operations and renewable energy
development on the OCS
Enforces requirement that items be clearly marked to identify the owner and items lost
overboard be recorded, reported, and retrieved if possible
Requires annual training of offshore oil and gas workers to reduce marine debris
Farm Service Agency (FSA)
Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) helps farmers repair damage to farmland caused
by natural disasters, such as:
o Debris removal from farmland
o Grading, shaping, or leveling damaged land
Up to 75% of the cost to implement emergency conservation practices can be provided to
farmers. Qualified limited resource producers may earn up to 90% cost-share.
Locally-elected FSA County Committee is authorized to implement ECP and determine if
land is eligible for ECP
Farmers should inquire with their local FSA county office regarding ECP enrollment
periods, which are established by FSA county committees
Select FSA authorities:
Agricultural Credit Act of l978 (92 Stat. 420-434), as amended by the Disaster
Assistance Act of l989, Section 502 and 7CFR, 701, Subpart B
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Region IV
Under the Stafford Act, provides reimbursement funding for eligible debris removal from
navigable waterways (non-federally maintained) or wetlands during Presidential major
disaster declarations when another federal agency does not have authority to fund the
activity
o Provides funding to eligible applicants at a typical cost share of 75% FEMA, 12.5%
state, and 12.5% eligible applicant
o Issues mission assignments to other federal agencies for technical assistance,
federal operations support, or to perform or contract debris removal when local and
state capabilities are exceeded
Makes eligibility determinations for debris removal on a case-by-case discretionary basis in
coordination with the eligible applicant, state, and other federal agencies
29
o Debris removal must be necessary to eliminate the immediate threat to life, public
health and safety, or improved property (FEMA, 2016)
o For navigable waterways, debris removal is limited to a max depth of 2 feet below
the low tide draft of the largest vessel that utilized the waterway prior to the
incident. Any debris below this zone is not eligible unless it is necessary in order to
remove debris extending upward into an eligible zone (FEMA, 2016).
o For non-navigable waterways, including natural waterways, debris removal is only
eligible to the extent that it is necessary to eliminate an immediate threat including
the following: if the debris obstructs, or could obstruct, intake structures; if the
debris could cause damage to structures; or if the debris is causing, or could cause,
flooding to property during the occurrence of a 5-year flood (a flood that has a 20%
chance of occurring in any given year) (FEMA, 2016)
Employs debris specialists that can be mobilized to assist eligible applicants with debris
management
May reimburse costs for use of side scan sonar that identifies eligible submerged debris and
sunken vessels
Provides geospatial support as well as hosts data, paper maps, and live data collection with
interactive mapping through a shared group on ArcGIS Online
Select FEMA authorities:
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C § 5121 et seq.)
o Debris Removal (42 U.S.C. § 5173)
o Essential Assistance (42 U.S.C. § 5170b)
o Federal Emergency Assistance (42 U.S.C. § 5192)
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or NOAA Fisheries)
Office of Habitat Conservation and Office of Protected Resources
Reviews proposed debris removal activities that involve a federal agency (directly or
through funding and/or issuance of a federal permit) for compliance with Magnuson-
Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act and Endangered Species Act (ESA)
For additional information on NOAA Fisheries compliance requirements, see Section 5
National Ocean Service
Office of Coast Survey
Mobilizes Navigation Response Teams (NRT) to survey ports and near-shore waterways for
sunken debris, changes in water depth, and hazards to navigation following a disaster
Office of National Geodetic Survey
Acquires and rapidly disseminates a variety of spatially-referenced remote-sensing datasets
to support national emergency response. Imagery is obtained using high resolution digital
cameras, film-based aerial camera systems, LIDAR, and thermal and hyperspectral imagers.
Office of Response and Restoration, Emergency Response Division
Serves as Scientific Support Coordinator (SSC) to coordinate application of NOAA assets and
services during emergencies to help the Federal On-Scene Coordinator (FOSC) make timely
operational decisions
30
In the event of an oil spill, the SSC will provide technical support, chemical hazard analyses,
assessments of the sensitivity of biological and human-use resources, and recommend best
actions moving forward.
Office of Response and Restoration, Marine Debris Division
Funds marine debris assessment and removal projects, through grants or congressional
supplemental funding
May prepare for and respond to severe marine debris events
Facilitates inter-agency coordination of planning and execution of responses to marine
debris events
Provides scientific support for debris response planning and operations, including baseline
information, debris behavior, debris impact, debris survey and detection protocols, removal
best management practices (BMPs), disposal guidance, and information management
Develops external communications such as talking points appropriate for the public,
informational graphics, intuitive interactive web content, and educational videos to ensure
the public and partner agencies understand and act on sound science and information
critical to response and recovery operations
Select NOAA authorities:
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C § 1451 et seq.)
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.)
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.)
Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 U.S.C. § 1951 et seq.)
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C § 1361 et seq.)
National Park Service (NPS)
Manages nine national areas in the state of South Carolina, including two coastal sites:
Charles Pinckney National Historic Site and Fort Sumter National Monument
May conduct incident waterway debris assessment and cleanup within their jurisdiction in
coordination with county, state, and other federal partners
For a map of areas managed by NPS in South Carolina, see Section 4.6
Select NPS authorities:
National Park Service and Related Programs (54 U.S.C § 100101)
Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS)
When funding is available, provides emergency financial and technical assistance for debris
removal from eligible waters through its Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) program
o Help communities address watershed impairments that pose imminent threats to
lives and property as a result of natural disasters
o Typical cost share of 75% NRCS and 25% project sponsor in the form of cash or in-
kind services used to implement the EWP recovery measures
o Public and private landowners are eligible for assistance, but they must be
represented by a project sponsor that is a political subdivision of the state or a
Tribal Council
See “South Carolina Incident Waterway Debris Response Flowchart” in Section 3 for EWP
eligibility criteria
31
Select NRCS authorities:
Emergency Watershed Protection Program (7 C.F.R. § 624)
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Charleston District
Maintains pre-event contracts for activities within the Charleston District area of
responsibility and has the ability to access contract vehicles maintained by other USACE
districts
May request assistance from NOAA’s NRT to survey ports and near-shore waterways
Emergency Operations
Serves as lead federal agency under ESF-3 Public Works and Engineering
Following a Stafford Act declaration, may lead eligible debris removal from navigable
waterways (non-federally maintained) and wetlands if FEMA mission assigns another
federal agency to perform or contract debris removal and surveying
Navigation
Serves as lead federal agency for conducting surveys within the federally authorized
channel for changes in water depth and hazards to navigation for commercial, recreational,
and military use.
Responsible for operation, maintenance, and debris removal from federally maintained
waterways and channels within Charleston District. For a map of USACE federally
authorized and maintained waterways and channels in South Carolina, see Section 4.6.
May use side-scan, multi, or single beam sonar to identify sunken debris
May remove abandoned vessels that obstruct federally maintained navigable channels if an
owner or responsible party (RP) cannot be identified
Regulatory Program
Charleston District issues permits for debris removal within waterways and wetlands
throughout the state. For additional information on USACE permitting and compliance
requirements, see Section 5.
Charleston District has three regulatory service areas in South Carolina (Figure 4) with
Conway Office and Charleston Office serving the coastal area
Select USACE authorities:
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as Clean Water Act) as amended by
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.)
o Permits for dredged or fill material (Section 404, 33 U.S.C. § 1344)
Permits for Structures or Work in or Affecting Navigable Waters of the United States (33
C.F.R. § 322)
Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. § 401 et seq.)
o Prohibits the unauthorized obstruction or alteration of any navigable water of the
United States (Section 10, 33 U.S.C. § 403)
o Authorize USACE to remove sunken vessels or other obstructions from navigable
waterways under emergency conditions (Sections 15, 19 and 20, 33 U.S.C. § 409,
414, 415) in coordination with USCG Sector Charleston
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C § 5121 et seq.)
Water Resources Development Act (33 U.S.C § 426m)
32
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), District 7 Sector Charleston
In most cases, removal of incident waterway debris by USCG is not authorized unless
contaminated debris is causing a health or environmental threat
Responds to oil and hazardous material releases or threats of release in waterways within
the coastal zone as defined in the USCG Sector Charleston Area Contingency Plan (ACP;
USCG, 2011)
o Removal actions generally limited to removing oil and other hazardous substances
while leaving vessels in place. If a vessel appears abandoned, an attempt will be
made to contact the owner. Oil will be extracted and the vessel will remain in place
unless it is so contaminated that it is declared a hazard to the environment, in which
case, the USCG will seek approval from the Commandant to take temporary
custodianship of the vessel and fund removal with cooperation from local and state
counterparts (USCG, 1996).
o Responds to pollution threats in federally maintained waterways in coordination
with USACE
Serves as lead federal agency (FOSC) under ESF-10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response
in the ACP coastal zone
o Directs response in accordance with the National Contingency Plan (NCP)
o Coordinates with state, tribal, and territorial governments and oversees response by
a responsible party (RP)
o Unlike response under a Stafford Act declaration, USCG may respond without a
request from local, state, or tribal governments under the NCP. During Stafford Act
declarations, USCG retains the authority to take action under the NCP.
Maintains a year-round, 24-hour telephone watch through the National Response Center
(NRC) for reporting of oil and hazardous material releases
o For contact information, see Appendix E
Establishes a safety zone around hazards to navigation and broadcasts maritime safety
warnings including the Broadcast Notice to Mariners and the Local Notice to Mariners to
warn of debris obstructing watercourse or creating hazards to navigation within federally
maintained waterways. USCG also notifies USACE of any hazards to navigation within
federally maintained waterways.
Following a Stafford Act declaration, may lead removal of contaminated waterway debris
under a FEMA mission assignment to perform or contract the work
May request assistance from NOAA’s NRT to survey ports and near-shore waterways
The Captain of the Port (COTP) sets conditions used to alert the maritime community and
affects changes in port operations necessary to prepare for tropical cyclone activity. This
may include restricting or closing all port traffic.
For a map of USCG sector boundaries and the ACP coastal-inland zone boundary in South
Carolina, see Section 4.6
Select USCG authorities:
Abandoned Barge Act of 1992 (46 U.S.C. § 4701-4705)
Abandoned Vessels, Commandant Instruction (M16465.43)
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42
U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.)
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as Clean Water Act) as amended by
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.)
Marking of structures, sunken vessels and other obstructions (33 C.F.R. § 64)
33
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40 C.F.R. § 300)
Ports and Waterways Safety Act (33 U.S.C. §1221 et seq.)
Saving life and property (14 C.F.R. § 88)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Region IV
Responds to oil and hazardous substance releases or threats of release in waterways within
the inland zone as defined in the USCG Sector Charleston ACP. For a map of the ACP coastal-
inland zone boundary, see Section 4.6.
Serves as lead federal agency (FOSC) under ESF-10 Oil and Hazardous Materials Response
in the ACP inland zone and in incidents affecting both inland and coastal zones
o Directs response in accordance with the NCP
o Coordinates with state, tribal, and territorial governments and oversees response by
RP
o Unlike response under a Stafford Act declaration, EPA may respond without a
request from local, state, or tribal governments under the NCP. During Stafford Act
declarations, EPA retains the authority to take action under the NCP.
Following a Stafford Act declaration, may lead removal of contaminated waterway debris
under a FEMA mission assignment to perform or contract the work
Select EPA authorities:
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) (42
U.S.C. § 9601 et seq.)
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as Clean Water Act) as amended by
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.)
National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution Contingency Plan (40 C.F.R. § 300)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Ecological Services Program
Reviews proposed debris removal activities that involve a federal agency (directly or
through funding and/or issuance of a federal permit) for compliance with Endangered
Species Act (ESA) and Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA)
For additional information on USFWS compliance requirements, see Section 5
National Wildlife Refuges (NWR)
Manages seven National Wildlife Refuges in South Carolina
Coordinates and manages waterway debris assessment and cleanup in NWRs
Coordinates with federal, state, and local partners to remove incident waterway debris
within their jurisdiction
Provides BMPs to protect listed threatened or endangered land and freshwater species,
certain marine species, and their critical habitat
For a map of NWRs in South Carolina, see Section 4.6
Select USFWS authorities:
Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. § 3501 et seq.)
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.)
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. § 661 et seq.)
34
U.S. Navy
Supervisor of Salvage and Diving (SUPSALV)
Manages and provides technical assistance for salvage, deep search and recovery, towing,
and oil spill response operations
Accesses and coordinates the U.S. Navy’s hydrographic survey assets and capabilities
Maintains an array of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs), oil spill response, and salvage
equipment
Exercises and manages regional standing emergency salvage contracts to quickly draw
upon the required resources of the commercial salvage industry (U.S. National Response
Team, 2014)
4.4 Private Landowners
After a Stafford Act declaration, debris removal from private property or privately-owned
waterways and banks is generally the responsibility of the property owner and not eligible
for FEMA funding unless its removal is necessary to mitigate a health and safety hazard and
is in the public interest (FEMA, 2016; SCEMD, 2013)
May report acute waterway release incidents to local emergency management office to
begin a coordinated, proper response
State agencies will not remove debris from private property without a properly executed
"Right-of-Entry" agreement
4.5 Volunteer and Non-Governmental Organizations
Certain private, non-profit organizations are eligible for public assistance reimbursement
through the Stafford Act Public Assistance Program (SCEMD, 2013)
Volunteers may provide cleanup and debris removal services as part of state ESF-18
Donated Goods and Volunteer Services (SCEMD, 2013)
Non-governmental organizations may provide debris removal assistance through funded
projects and programs
In the past, the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium has received funding through the
NOAA Marine Debris Program competitive grant process to remove ADVs from coastal
waters in South Carolina in coordination with DHEC OCRM and local counterparts
4.6 Agency Jurisdiction Map
The “Agency Jurisdiction Map” on the following page displays coastal South Carolina’s relevant state
and federal agency jurisdictions and boundaries. After an acute waterway debris incident, the
agency responsible for removing debris will vary depending on where the debris is located. This
map includes information that stakeholders identified as important in determining how incident
waterway debris response is handled in the state.
For a visual one-page representation of agency roles and responsibilities, see Section 3.
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36
5. Permitting and Compliance Requirements in South Carolina
Before waterway debris removal can begin, organizations leading removal activities must meet
certain permitting and compliance requirements. While the agency or individual conducting the
debris removal work is responsible for obtaining necessary permits such as a USACE permit it is
the responsibility of the lead federal agency to ensure compliance with the National Environmental
Policy Act (NEPA) and to consult with tribal and resource agencies including South Carolina
Department of Archives and History’s State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), the South Carolina
Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)’s Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource
Management (OCRM), USFWS, and NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS).
During response under a Stafford Act declaration, FEMA provides funding to applicants for debris
removal and is therefore considered the lead federal agency responsible for tribal and resource
agency coordination. SCEMD serves as a liaison between FEMA and local governments during
declared events. If waterway debris removal is conducted without a Presidential major disaster
declaration and there are no federal agencies involved in removal activities, USACE is considered
the lead federal agency as the permitting agency (if a permit is required).
A brief description of individual agency requirements and authorities is outlined below and is
summarized in the “Permitting and Compliance for Waterway Debris Removal in South Carolina
handout in Section 5.3. Organization contact information can be found in Appendix E.
5.1 State Agency Requirements
South Carolina Department of Archives and History
State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO)
Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act requires federal agencies to consider
an undertaking’s potential to affect any district, site, building, structure, or object included
in or eligible for the National Register of Historic Places (“historic properties”).
If a waterway debris removal project in South Carolina involves a federal agency (directly
or through funding and/or issuance of a federal permit), it is the responsibility of the lead
federal agency to coordinate with the SHPO prior to beginning debris removal work to
determine whether activities will affect historic properties
If debris removal involves an underwater archaeological site or water quality issue, will
defer to SCIAA for guidance, however all requests for consultation must still go through
SHPO
Advises DHEC OCRM regarding potential impacts of permitted activities on historical and
archaeological sites within the eight-county coastal zone per the State's Coastal Zone
Management Plan (SCCZMP)
Select SHPO authorities:
National Historic Preservation Act, 16 U.S.C § 470 et seq.
Protection of historic properties (36 CFR Part 800)
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC)
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management (OCRM)
An OCRM permit may be required for debris removal projects that have the potential to
alter the critical area
37
If a project also requires a permit through USACE, the applicant can apply through the state
and federal review will be concurrent with the state review to expedite the process
Reviews all state and federal permit applications for activities within the eight-county
coastal zone for consistency with the State's Coastal Zone Management Plan (SCCZMP) as
required by the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Act (SCCZMA)
Reviews federal funding assistance applications submitted by state and local government
entities for consistency with the SCCZMP
If a waterway debris removal project in South Carolina involves a federal agency (directly
or through funding and/or issuance of a federal permit), it is the responsibility of the lead
federal agency to coordinate with OCRM prior to beginning debris removal work to
determine whether activities are fully consistent with the enforceable policies of the
SCCZMA
Select DHEC authorities:
Coastal Tidelands and Wetlands Act (S.C. Code Ann. §48-39-10 et seq.)
University of South Carolina (USC)
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (SCIAA)
Maritime Research Division
If a debris removal project requires compliance with the Underwater Antiquities Act,
submissions must be submitted through SHPO and SCIAA will be contacted internally
Advises the SHPO on compliance-related debris removal activities
Select USC authorities:
South Carolina Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology (S.C. Code Ann. § 60-13-210 et
seq.)
Underwater Antiquities Act of 1991 (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-610 et seq.)
5.2 Federal Agency Requirements
National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)
Requires federal agencies to follow a specific planning process to ensure environmental
consequences of a federally funded action have been considered (42 U.S.C. § 4321-4370f)
If a waterway debris removal project involves a federal agency (directly or through funding
and/or issuance of a federal permit), it is the responsibility of the lead federal agency to
ensure NEPA compliance
o FEMA is provided with statutory exclusions under Section 316 of the Stafford Act,
which exempts debris removal from NEPA review process
o Therefore, the NEPA review process is not required when FEMA is providing
funding for waterway debris removal under a Stafford Act declaration. However,
compliance with all other federal, state, and local environmental laws and
regulations is still required even when a project is statutorily excluded from NEPA
review.
For waterway debris removal operations, the impact of removal must be evaluated to
minimize environmental and ecological damage to the maximum practical extent. In some
cases, debris removal may be more environmentally damaging than leaving the debris in
place.
38
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS or NOAA Fisheries)
If a waterway debris removal project in South Carolina involves a federal agency (directly
or through funding and/or issuance of a federal permit), it is the responsibility of the lead
federal agency to coordinate with NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office prior to
beginning debris removal work to ensure compliance with the Endangered Species Act
(ESA) and Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act
o ESA directs all federal agencies to ensure the actions they take, including those they
fund or authorize, do not adversely affect listed threatened or endangered species
or critical habitat. Generally, NOAA Fisheries manages marine and anadromous
species while USFWS manages land and freshwater species. If a federal agency
determines their activities or actions will affect listed species or designated critical
habitat—even if the effects are expected to be beneficialthey must consult with
NOAA Fisheries or USFWS. See NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office’s
endangered species web page for an up to date South Carolina ESA-listed marine
species list (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA], 2016c). See
USFWS’s endangered species web page for an up to date South Carolina ESA-listed
land and freshwater species list (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [USFWS], 2016b).
o Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act directs all federal
agencies to ensure the actions they take, including those they fund or authorize, do
not adversely affect Essential Fish Habitat (EFH). If a federal agency determines
their activities or actions may adversely affect EFH, they must consult with NOAA
Fisheries. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council is responsible for
identifying EFH for federally managed species in South Carolina (South Atlantic
Fishery Management Council, 2016).
NOAA Fisheries defines an emergency as a situation involving an act of God, disasters,
casualties, national defense or security emergencies, etc., and includes response activities
that must be taken to prevent imminent loss of human life or property (NOAA, n.d.-a).
o Consultation during emergencies can be expedited so federal agencies can complete
their critical missions in a timely manner while still providing protections to listed
species and EFH
o During emergency waterway debris removal operations, NOAA Fisheries Southeast
Regional Office utilizes the same process for initiating contact for both ESA and EFH
consultations. Steps to complete the emergency response consultation process are
outlined in NOAA (n.d.-a).
Additional information on ESA and EFH consultation during non-emergencies can be found
in National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] (n.d.-b) and National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] (n.d.-c), respectively
Select NOAA authorities:
Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C § 1451 et seq.)
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.)
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (16 U.S.C. § 1801 et seq.)
Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (33 U.S.C. § 1951 et seq.)
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 (16 U.S.C § 1361 et seq.)
39
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Charleston District
Regulatory Program
USACE permit is required for debris removal within or over all Section 10 navigable
waterways and wetlands (33 U.S.C. 403) or for debris removal within waterways and
wetlands if the activity involves dredging, the discharge of dredge or fill material, or
involves structures or work impacting the navigability of a waterway. One or multiple
permits may be needed depending on the scope of work to be conducted.
Charleston District Regulatory Program has jurisdiction over the entire state and is
geographically aligned into three service offices that cover each region of the state,
with Conway and Charleston areas covering the coastal zone (Figure 4)
Permits that may be required include:
o Nationwide Permit 3: Maintenance. Authorizes repair, rehabilitation, or
replacement structures or fills destroyed or damaged by storms, floods, fires, or
other discrete events. This permit may be issued for removal or maintenance of
culverts, sediments, or debris accumulated around outfalls, bridges, etc. in wetland
areas.
o Nationwide Permit 22: Removal of Vessels. Authorizes temporary structures or
minor discharges of dredged or fill material required for the removal of wrecked,
abandoned, or disabled vessels or the removal of man-made obstructions to
navigation
o Nationwide Permit 37: Emergency Watershed Protection and Rehabilitation.
Issued for work conducted under NRCS’s EWP program
o Nationwide Permit 38: Cleanup of Hazardous and Toxic Waste. Issued for the
containment, stabilization, or removal of hazardous or toxic waste materials that are
performed, ordered, or sponsored by a government agency with legal or regulatory
authority. Activities undertaken entirely on a Comprehensive Environmental
Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) site are not required to obtain
permits.
If a project requires a permit through DHEC OCRM, the applicant can apply through DHEC
and federal review will be concurrent with the state review to expedite the process
In emergency situations, permitting procedures may be expedited and resource agency
coordination (or completion of coordination/consultation) occurs “after the fact” as
opposed to before a permit is issued. This may result in additional work by the applicant
once the emergency and immediate threat has been mitigated.
o USACE defines an emergency as a situation which would result in an unacceptable
hazard to life, a significant loss of property, or an immediate, unforeseen, and
significant economic hardship if corrective action requiring a permit is not
undertaken within a time period less than the normal time needed to process the
application under standard procedures (33 C.F.R. § 325.2(e)(4))
o Under 33 C.F.R. § 325.2 (e)(4), emergency permitting procedures may be authorized
for activities not qualifying for a nationwide permit
Select USACE authorities:
Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as Clean Water Act) as amended by
the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (33 U.S.C. § 1251 et seq.)
o Permits for dredged or fill material (Section 404, 33 U.S.C. § 1344)
Permits for Structures or Work in or Affecting Navigable Waters of the United States (33
C.F.R. § 322)
40
Rivers and Harbors Appropriation Act of 1899 (33 U.S.C. § 401 et seq.)
o Prohibits the unauthorized obstruction or alteration of any navigable water of the
United States (Section 10, 33 U.S.C. § 403)
o Authorize USACE to remove sunken vessels or other obstructions from navigable
waterways under emergency conditions (Sections 15, 19 and 20, 33 U.S.C. § 409,
414, 415) in coordination with USCG Sector Charleston
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C § 5121 et seq.)
Water Resources Development Act (33 U.S.C § 426m)
41
Figure 4. Map of USACE Charleston District regulatory service areas in South Carolina (USACE, n.d.).
42
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
Ecological Services Program
If a waterway debris removal project in South Carolina involves a federal agency (directly
or through funding and/or issuance of a federal permit), it is the responsibility of the lead
federal agency to coordinate with the USFWS Ecological Services Office (ESO) in Charleston
prior to beginning debris removal work to ensure compliance with ESA and the Coastal
Barrier Resources Act (CBRA).
o ESA directs all federal agencies to ensure the actions they take, including those they
fund or authorize, do not adversely affect listed threatened or endangered species
or critical habitat. Generally, USFWS manages land and freshwater species and
certain marine species such as manatee, while NOAA Fisheries manages marine and
anadromous species. If a federal agency determines their activities or actions may
affect listed species or designated critical habitateven if the effects are expected to
be beneficialthey must consult with USFWS or NOAA Fisheries. See USFWS’s
endangered species web page for an up to date South Carolina ESA-listed land and
freshwater species list (USFWS, 2016b). See NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional
Office’s endangered species web page for an up to date South Carolina ESA-listed
marine species list (NOAA, 2016c)
o CBRA makes designated coastal barriers ineligible for most federal expenditures
and financial assistance and was developed as a way to minimize development of
coastal barriers and damage to property, fish, wildlife, and other natural resources.
The John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) is a collection of
specific units of land and associated aquatic habitats that serve as barriers
protecting the Atlantic, Gulf, and Great Lakes coasts. After a Stafford Act declaration,
costs for debris removal and emergency protective measures in designated CBRS
units may be eligible for reimbursement under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program
provided the actions eliminate an immediate threat to lives, public health and safety,
or protect improved property. A map of CBRS units in South Carolina can be
accessed from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (2016a)
For projects that do not involve federal permits or funding, USFWS consultation is not
required, but is recommended. Harassing or harming (“taking”) an endangered or
threatened species or significantly modifying their habitat is still prohibited under ESA
regardless of federal nexus involvement.
Reviews may be expedited in emergencies, and USFWS staff may embed in response teams
Each debris removal project is reviewed individually unless USFWS prepares a
programmatic consultation. Under a programmatic consultation, all parties agree on
certain conservation measures that must be implemented. If a waterway debris removal
project arises that does not fit the programmatic measures, then it must be reviewed
individually.
Generally, USFWS will provide BMPs that provide necessary protections while allowing
projects to go forward
If the proposed waterway debris removal project will not impact listed threatened or
endangered species, or if the federal consulting agency agrees to implement USFWS’s
recommendations, the consultation process is completed at the "informal" stage. However,
if debris removal operations will adversely affect a listed species or critical habitat, the
federal consulting agency must initiate a "formal" consultation, a process which typically
ends with the issuance of a biological opinion by USFWS (or NOAA Fisheries, if the ESA-
listed species affected is under NOAA Fisheries’ purview).
43
Select USFWS authorities:
Coastal Barrier Resources Act (16 U.S.C. § 3501 et seq.)
Endangered Species Act (16 U.S.C. § 1531 et seq.)
Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act (16 U.S.C. § 661 et seq.)
5.3 Permitting and Compliance for Waterway Debris Removal in South Carolina
One-Pager
The Permitting and Compliance for Waterway Debris Removal in South Carolina” one-pager on the
following page synthesizes permitting and compliance requirements that must be met before
waterway debris removal operations begin. The top portion of the one-pager outlines the process
to follow to stay in compliance, while the bottom portion highlights specific state and federal
agency requirements with general contact information.
For detailed information regarding individual state and federal agency requirements, see Sections
5.1 and 5.2, respectively.
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45
6. South Carolina Waterway Debris Response Needs
Waterway debris response gaps identified by stakeholders are outlined below, along with
associated recommendations. These identified gaps will serve as future points of discussion and
action for the South Carolina waterway debris response community. Potential opportunities for
addressing response needs include table-top activities to exercise this Guide, response exercises
that incorporate debris scenarios, and coordination meetings associated with this document’s
formal review.
6.1 Response Gaps in South Carolina
The following gaps in response have been reported by stakeholder organizations engaged in
waterway debris response in South Carolina.
6.1.1 Communication and Planning
Generally, federal, state, and/or local debris plans do not specifically address waterway
debris.
Adjacent municipalities do not have consistent ordinances, coordinated tracking of debris,
or consistent communications regarding waterway debris response.
o For a map of municipalities and counties with abandoned vessel ordinances, see
Appendix A.
Some counties and local industries are not included in state or federally hosted exercises
and planning meetings.
It is unclear where the state versus local responsibility lies for removal of debris on
shorelines.
There is a need to for information about surrounding areas (i.e. what neighboring
communities have) for awareness regarding what could become waterway debris after a
disaster.
There is a need for timely communication to the appropriate response agency regarding
debris location and need for removal.
There is a need to incorporate lessons learned into future actions and plans.
There is currently no centralized, integrated ADV identification and tracking system for
South Carolina.
Staff and/or equipment may not be available after a disaster if previously displaced or
evacuated.
There is no statewide program in place for the removal of debris prior to an event to
prevent it from becoming disaster debris.
46
6.1.2 Policy
There is a need to ensure that debris removal contractors are only working in permitted
areas.
The U.S. Coast Guard abandoned vessel destruction process is lengthy.
The steps to obtain a clear title for the removal or salvage of vessels are complicated.
When working under a FEMA mission assignment, federal agencies may only remove debris
from designated areas.
Agencies may not be allowed to enter private property and/or remove debris from private
property without proper permission/right to entry agreements in place.
After an acute waterway debris incident that does not result in a Presidential major disaster
declaration, there are limited funding sources for debris removal in state waters.
There is no state agency in South Carolina responsible for removing debris from state
waters during an acute waterway debris incident if it does not directly cause a threat to
human health or safety.
Requirements for an incident to qualify as an “emergency” differ among federal agencies
responsible for permitting and environmental compliance, which can lead to confusion and
delayed response.
The amount of seasonal, transient boaters and the lack of clarity regarding
mooring/anchoring restrictions makes it difficult to track vessels from potentially derelict
to abandoned.
6.1.3 Funding
Because federal projects are funded annually, funds may already be depleted at the time of
an acute waterway debris incident.
U.S. Coast Guard funding sources are limited to removing pollution threats and thus
generally not able to be used for removing debris.
Vessel removals are not eligible for pre-disaster mitigation funding through SCEMD. There
is also a lack of clarity as to what types of debris are eligible.
Generally, agencies lack resources for identification, investigation, administrative
enforcement, and removal of debris.
There is a lack of recurring funding for abandoned vessel removal.
There is a lag time between submitting an application and dispersal of funds during the
administrative process of seeking funding for debris removal in non-emergency situations.
47
The NRCS Emergency Watershed Protection program is limited in scope and has a waiting
list, so funding for waterway debris is not guaranteed even if eligible.
There is a lack of information regarding non-federal sources of funding for debris removal.
6.2 Recommended Actions
The following recommendations have been compiled based on stakeholder input to improve
preparedness for response and recovery operations following an acute waterway debris incident in
South Carolina. Recommended actions include planning, policy, and funding actions to address
gaps in response as well as communication and outreach actions to meet pre-event planning needs.
6.2.1 Communication and Planning
Encourage communication between SCEMD, counties, and municipalities to incorporate
local entities into incident waterway debris response planning
Reach out to NGOs and private organizations who do beach sweeps or have established
volunteer resources
Encourage collaboration between state and local entities to survey and map debris location
and type in the coastal zone
Encourage the state to host waterway debris-centric exercises in coordination with counties
and municipalities
Discuss the possibility of linking DHEC’s MyCoast app (DHEC, n.d.) with South Carolina’s
WebEOC, a web-based information management system for incident command staff to
access emergency or event-related information
Revisit lessons learned and experiences from Hurricane Hugo to incorporate into current
debris management guides
Coordinate with Council of Governments for outreach and integration into meetings and
discussions
Increase collaboration between state and local governments to determine areas of
responsibility and create a responsibility map
When capabilities exceed local resources, agencies such as USACE and USFWS may pull staff
from other locations for support
Support the integration and implementation of this Guide into existing exercises, plans, and
emergency operations documents
Work with counties to incorporate waterway debris response and removal information into
local debris management plans
48
Encourage local governments to establish pre-event standing emergency waterway debris
removal contracts
Establish an agreed upon consistent set of terminology and definitions among federal, state,
and local government waterway debris response agencies. This includes inter-agency
discussions regarding what constitutes an emergency among federal agencies responsible
for permitting and environmental compliance.
6.2.2 Policy
Expand mooring areas with enforced regulations
Consider offering incentives (i.e. tax deductions) for vessel donations to prevent future
abandonment
Consider hiring staff to monitor debris removal contractors and ensure compliance in
designated work areas
Support consistent enforcement of boating regulations to prevent abandonment of vessels
Encourage state and local emergency managers to perform outreach and education to boat
owners and local marinas to help prevent incident waterway debris
Establish a procedure for reporting acute waterway debris incidents in South Carolina and a
mechanism for disseminating this information to local authorities and the public. Formats
discussed include a phone tree or web-based application.
6.2.3 Funding
Encourage coordination between county representatives and Council of Governments to
advocate for increased funding for incident waterway debris removal
Demonstrate the negative impacts of ADVs to legislators to advocate for removal funding
Establish partnerships with private organizations and NGOs to assist with fund raising and
contracting for debris removal in emergency situations
Identify and establish a standing source(s) of funds for operation and maintenance of public
waterways in South Carolina to supplement existing programs and limited funding sources
6.3 Additional Resources
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2014). Best management practices for removal
of debris from wetlands and other intertidal areas. Retrieved from
http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/MDP_Debris_Removal_Intertidal_Areas.p
df
49
7. References
Bureau of Ocean Energy Management. (n.d.). Outer continental shelf. Retrieved from
http://www.boem.gov/Outer-Continental-Shelf/
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2007). FEMA 325: Public assistance debris management
guide. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved from
http://www.fema.gov/pdf/government/grant/pa/demagde.pdf
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2016). Public assistance program and policy guide FP
104-009-2. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office. Retrieved from
http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/1456167739485-
75a028890345c6921d8d6ae473fbc8b3/PA_Program_and_Policy_Guide_2-21-
2016_Fixes.pdf
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (n.d.). Disaster declarations. Retrieved from
https://www.fema.gov/disasters
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2000). Tidal datums and their
applications. Silver Spring, MD: U.S. Department of Commerce. Retrieved from
http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/publications/tidal_datums_and_their_applications.pdf
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2016a). Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI)
maps. Retrieved from http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/maps-and-spatial-
data/environmental-sensitivity-index-esi-maps.html
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2016b). Marine debris program. Retrieved
from https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2016c). NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional
Office Protected Resources Division. Retrieved from
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/index.html
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2016d). Service Assessment: The historic South
Carolina floods of October 1-5, 2015. Retrieved from
http://www.nws.noaa.gov/os/assessments/pdfs/SCFlooding_072216_Signed_Final.pdf
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (2016e). [Web mapping tool presents spatial
land cover data used in the water quality section of the wetland benefits coastal county
snapshot]. Wetland benefits snapshot map. Retrieved from
http://www.arcgis.com/home/item.html?id=f19a213e1a2248ec9f6d3863908bdce9
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.-a). NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional
Office emergency consultation. Retrieved from
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/section_7/emergency_consultation/index.
html
50
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.-b). NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional
Office ESA section 7: Interagency consultation. Retrieved from
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/protected_resources/section_7/index.html
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. (n.d.-c). NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office
essential fish habitat. Retrieved from
http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/habitat_conservation/efh/index.html
South Atlantic Fishery Management Council. (2016). Mapping and GIS data. Retrieved from
http://www.safmc.net/ecosystem-management/mapping-and-gis-data
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (2016a.). Municipalities &
counties with abandoned vessel ordinances map
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (2016b.). SC federal and state
agency jurisdictions-Abandoned vessels and marine debris
South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control. (n.d.). MyCoast: South Carolina.
Retrieved from https://mycoast.org/sc
South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. (n.d.). Law enforcement fact sheet. Retrieved from
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/divisions/law.html
South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism. (2014). Estimated visitation to South
Carolina by county.
https://embed.widencdn.net/pdf/plus/scprt/t9hmy9m7ea/County%20Level%20Visitatio
n%20Estimates.pdf?u=sgt8lu
South Carolina Emergency Management Division. (2013). South Carolina hazard mitigation plan.
Retrieved from
http://www.scemd.org/files/Mitigation/State_Hazard_Mitigation_Plan/1_SHMP_FINAL_20
13.pdf
South Carolina Emergency Management Division. (2016). South Carolina emergency operations plan.
Retrieved from http://www.scemd.org/planandprepare/plans/emergency-operations-plan
South Carolina Emergency Management Division. (n.d.). State emergency operations center.
Retrieved from http://www.scemd.org/who-we-are/state-emergency-operations-center
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (2010). Debris removal from waterways field operations guide.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. (n.d.). Charleston District regulatory service areas. Retrieved from
http://www.sac.usace.army.mil/Portals/43/docs/regulatory/OfficeMapA.jpg
U.S. Coast Guard. (1996). Commandant Instruction M16465.43, Abandoned vessels. Retrieved from
https://www.uscg.mil/directives/cim/16000-16999/CIM_16465_43.pdf
U.S. Coast Guard. (2011). Charleston Area Contingency Plan. Sector Charleston: U.S. Coast Guard
District 7. Retrieved from
51
http://ocean.floridamarine.org/acp/chacp/Documents/ACP/Charleston_ACP_Jan_2011_Re
vision.pdf
U.S. Department of Homeland Security. (2013). National Response Framework, second edition.
Retrieved from http://www.fema.gov/media-library-data/20130726-1914-25045-
1246/final_national_response_framework_20130501.pdf
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2016). National Oil and Hazardous Substances Pollution
Contingency Plan (NCP) overview. Retrieved from http://www2.epa.gov/emergency-
response/national-oil-and-hazardous-substances-pollution-contingency-plan-ncp-overview
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2016a). Coastal Barrier Resources System official CBRS maps.
Retrieved from http://www.fws.gov/ecological-services/habitat-
conservation/cbra/Maps/index.html
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (2016b). Endangered species. Retrieved from
https://www.fws.gov/endangered/
U.S. National Response Team. (2014). Abandoned vessel authorities and best practices guidance.
Washington, DC: U.S. National Response Team. Retrieved from
https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/adv-document/abandoned-vessel-authorities-and-best-
practices-guidance
52
8. Appendices
APPENDIX A
South Carolina Coastal Municipalities and Counties with Abandoned Vessel
Ordinances
Figure A1. Municipalities and counties in coastal South Carolina with abandoned vessel ordinances
(South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control [DHEC], 2016a).
53
APPENDIX B
South Carolina Federal and State Agency Jurisdictions
Abandoned Vessels and Marine Debris
Figure B1. South Carolina federal and state agency jurisdictions for abandoned vessels and marine
debris (South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control [DHEC], 2016b).
54
APPENDIX C
South Carolina Legislation Applicable to Waterway Debris Response
Coastal Tidelands and Wetlands Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-39-10 et seq.)
Custody and notice of unclaimed stranded goods (S.C. Code Ann. § 54-7-10)
Duties of state, county, and municipal governments for mutual assistance in emergencies
(S.C. Code Ann. § 25-1-450(1))
Equipment and operation of watercraft (S.C. Code Ann. § 50-21-1 et seq.)
Pollution Control Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 48-1 et seq.)
Powers of Authority as to erection or removal of wharves, docks and other structures
(S.C. Code Ann. § 54-3-610)
South Carolina Hazardous Waste Management Act (S.C. Code Ann. § 44-56)
South Carolina Solid Waste Policy and Management Act (SC Code Ann. § 44-96)
Stormwater Management and Sediment Reduction Act (S.C. Code Ann. §48-14-10 et seq.)
55
APPENDIX D
Agency Response Capabilities
Yes - In-house Capability FEMA
Region
IV1
NOAA2
USACE
Charleston
District
USCG Sector
Charleston NRCS
EPA
Region
IV
USFWS
SC
DHEC
OCRM
SCIAA -
MRD
SC DNR Law
Enforcement
Division
Beaufor
t County
Public
Works
Contract - Contracted capability
Technology
Aerial photography and video Yes Contract
Contra
ct
Yes
IT support during response (server/storage space for data and information
sharing)
Yes
Yes
Magnetometers Yes7
Contract
Yes
Remote Sensing Yes Contract
Yes
Sediment Profilers Yes
Multi-beam sonar Yes Yes7
Yes
Side-scan sonar Yes Yes7
Yes
Single-beam sonar Yes Yes7
Yes
Manpower/Expertise
Communication/public information expertise (dedicated
spokesperson/Public Information Officer)
Yes Yes Yes
Yes
Yes Yes
Compliance and permitting expertise Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Data/information management capabilities
Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Debris modeling expertise (volume, transport, hindcasting, etc.)
Yes
Contract
Dedicated waterway/marine debris staff (responders, response team,
regional coordination, etc.)
Yes
Dive support (scientific, technical, commercial etc.) Yes3 Yes Contract
Contract
Yes Yes
Environmental expertise (location of sensitive areas, endangered species
present, etc.)
Yes Yes4 Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Field GPS units
Contract Yes Yes Yes Yes
Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and plotting of imagery Yes Yes Yes8
Contract Yes Yes Yes
Hazardous substance and/or oiled debris expertise
Yes
Yes
Incident Command System (ICS) trained staff Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Maritime Transportation Recovery Unit (MTSRU) expertise
Post-storm damage assessment teams
Yes
Yes
Yes
Protected species/Environmental Sensitivity Index (ESI) expert in the field Yes
Yes
Yes
Technical expertise for removal operations (techniques, best management
practices, etc.)
Yes Yes Yes9 Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes
Vector Control
Volunteer manpower
Yes
Yes
Yes Yes
Volunteer coordinator
Yes Yes
Waterway management authority (law enforcement officers)
Yes
56
Yes - In-house Capability FEMA
Region
IV1
NOAA2
USACE
Charleston
District
USCG Sector
Charleston NRCS
EPA
Region
IV
USFWS
SC
DHEC
OCRM
SCIAA -
MRD
SC DNR Law
Enforcement
Division
Beaufort
County
Public
Works
Contract - Contracted capability
Equipment
Aircraft Yes
Yes
Contract
Yes
Barge/Self-loading barge Contract
Contract
Boom Contract Contract10
Contract
Crane/Knuckleboom crane Contract
Contract
Environmental clamshell dredge
Contract
Excavator Contract
Contract
General transportation/vehicles
Contract
Yes Yes Yes Yes
Heavy/Earth-moving machinery
Contract
Yes
Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV)
Yes
Yes
7
Yes
Sampling Equipment
Yes
Yes
Contract
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)/Surveillance drones Yes Yes
Vessels Yes Yes7 Yes
Contract Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Other specialized equipment that cannot be readily procured immediately
following a debris incident
Contract Yes
Contract
Logistics
Contract authority and oversight capabilities Yes Yes Yes11 Yes16 Yes
Yes
Communication equipment (i.e. two-way radio)
Yes
Yes Yes Yes
Docks for wet storage of vessels Yes12
Yes
Facility suitable for establishing an Emergency Operations Center (EOC) Yes Yes Yes
Funding for waterway debris removal Yes5 Yes7 Yes13 Yes17 Yes
Laboratory space
Yes
Yes
Medical emergency response
Pre-approved removal contractors
Yes
Pre-designated landfill/disposal sites (to include vegetative and animal
carcasses)
Pre-event contracts and staged agreements in place Yes Yes14
Yes
Research program established to analyze long-term trends, impacts, etc.
Yes
Yes
Staging/Off-Loading: Land with water access to stage, offload debris (has not
been evaluated for suitability or officially pre-designated)
Staging/Off-Loading: Pre-designated staging, off-loading and special handling
areas (already evaluated for suitability) Yes
Staging area for dry storage of vessels Yes Yes Yes15
Yes
Other logistical support, including fuel, housing, food, etc. Yes6
Contract
57
Each agency self-reported capabilities which could be of use during waterway debris response. Agencies were asked to indicate whether capabilities
were in-house or were contracted through a third party. Footnotes refer to additional information provided for a particular capability.
1FEMA Capabilities contingent upon a Presidential major disaster declaration. FEMA capable of mission-assigning other federal support to increase
capabilities. FEMA has interactive live collection and mapping capabilities and a template wet debris collector map for Region IV.
2NOAA - Some capabilities require contract support for staffing
3NOAA - Dive capabilities do not include sites with oil or hazardous pollutants
4NOAA – Coordinates marine mammal and sea turtle stranding response and reviews proposed debris removal activities for compliance with ESA and
Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act
5NOAA – Funding through grant program and possible Congressional supplemental funding
6NOAA – Weather and marine forecasts through National Weather Service in Newport, NC
7USACE – Funding in place for federal projects only
8USACE – Has a GIS cadre for response
9USACE – Has planning response teams
10USCG Small amounts of boom on hand but capable of using pre-event contracts for larger pollution events
11USCG Contract authority and oversight capabilities for USCG contracts only
12USCG Docks for wet storage of vessels has limited space and suitable for larger vessels only
13USCG Funding for pollution incidents only
14USCG – Pre-event contracts and staged agreements in place for pollution incidents only
15USCG Staging area for dry storage of vessels has limited space
16NRCS Contact authority for EWP contracts only
17NRCS Funding for authorized EWP contracts only
58
APPENDIX E
Organization Contact Information
Table E1. Local Agencies/Organizations
Agency
Division
Topic
Point of Contact
Phone
Email
Coastal Counties
(SC Coastal Zone
Management Act
definition)
Beaufort County
Emergency Management - 843-255-4000 -
Public Works
David Wilhelm, Public Works
Director
- dwilhelm@bcgov.net
Pamela Cobb, Disaster
Recovery Coordinator
843-255-2721 pcobb@bcgov.net
Angel Bowers - abowers@bcgov.net
Berkeley County Emergency Preparedness - 843-719-4817 -
Charleston County
Emergency Preparedness
-
843-746-3800
-
County Sheriff's Office Lt. Dan Maddock 843-412-7173 dmaddock@charlestoncounty.org
Mount Pleasant Police
Department
Ssgt. Sean Hethington -
shethington@tompsc.com
Colleton County
Emergency Preparedness
-
843-549-5632
-
Dorchester County Emergency Services - 843-832-0341 -
Georgetown County
Emergency Management
-
843-545-3273
-
Horry County Emergency Management - 843-915-5150 -
Jasper County
Emergency Services
-
843-726-7797
-
SC Aquarium - Conservation Albert George, Director 843-579-8563 ageorge@scaquarium.org
SC Sea Grant
Consortium - -
Susannah Sheldon, Program
Manager 843-953-2078 susannah.sheldon@scseagrant.org
59
Table E2. State Agencies
Agency Division Topic Point of Contact Phone Email
SC Department of
Archives and History
State Historic
Preservation Office
National Historic Preservation Act
Compliance, Section 106 John Sylvest, Project Review Coordinator 803-896-6129 jsylvest@scdah.sc.gov
SC Department of
Health and
Environmental
Control
Office of Environmental
Quality Control Emergency Response Section To Report Chemical and Oil Spills 1-800-481-0125 -
Office of Ocean and
Coastal Resource
Management
Compliance and Enforcement Section Sean Briggs, Manager 843-953-0128 briggssm@dhec.dc.gov
Coastal Services Division Daniel Burger, Director 843-953-0251 burgerdj@dhec.sc.gov
Will Salters, Project Manager, Planning 843-953-0258 salterwg@dhec.sc.gov
Wetland Permitting and Certification Blair Williams, Manager 843-953-0232 williabn@dhec.sc.gov
SC Department of
Natural Resources
Land, Water and
Conservation Division
Divisional Information - 803-734-9100 -
Law Enforcement
Division
Conservation Law Violation
24-hour Hotline
1-800-922-5431
-
Region IV, Charleston Office
Cpt. Gentry Thames
843-953-9320
thamesg@dnr.sc.gov
Marine Resources
Division
ACE Basin National Estuarine Research
Reserve
Phil Maier, Director 843-953-9001 maierp@dnr.sc.gov
Wildlife and Freshwater
Fisheries Division Divisional Information - 803-734-3886 -
SC Department of
Transportation Engineering Section State Bridge Maintenance Lee Floyd, Engineer - floydrl@scdot.org
SC Emergency
Management
Division
Planning Section Planning
Robert Burton, All Hazards Planning
Manager
803-737-8587 rburton@emd.sc.gov
Operations Section Operations Support Melissa Potter, Chief of Logistics - mpotter@emd.sc.gov
Guy Gierhart, Logistics Manager - ggierhart@emd.sc.gov
Operations Mike Russell, Chief of Operations - mrussell@emd.sc.gov
Recovery and Mitigation
Section
Hazard Mitigation
Allen Fountain, State Hazard Mitigation
Officer
- afountain@emd.sc.gov
Megan Wood, Mitigation Planner - mwood@emd.sc.gov
Ryan Guerry, Hazard Mitigation Program
Manager - rguerry@emd.sc.gov
Charlotte Foster, PDM Specialist - cfoster@emd.sc.gov
Public Assistance Brittany Kelly, Public Assistance Officer - bkelly@emd.sc.gov
Recovery Programs
Elizabeth Ryan, Chief of Recovery and
Mitigation
- eryan@emd.sc.gov
Sarah Pickhardt, Recovery Programs
Manager
- spickhardt@emd.sc.gov
60
Table E2. State Agencies Continued
Agency
Division
Topic
Point of Contact
Phone
Email
SC State Fiscal
Accountability
Authority
Division of
Procurement
Services
Office of State Engineer
John White, State Engineer
803-737-0786
jswhite@mmo.sc.gov
Stan Gailey, Architect 803-737-0774 sgailey@mmo.sc.gov
Perry Derrick, Structural Engineer
803-737-0518
pderrick@mmo.sc.gov
Lyth Clark, Mechanical/Fire
Protection Engineer
803-737-0767 lclark@mmo.sc.gov
ESF-3 Direct Line - 803-737-8503 -
SC Ports Authority - Switchboard - 843-723-8651 -
University of
South Carolina
Belle W. Baruch
Institute for
Marine and Coastal
Sciences
North Inlet-Winyah Bay National
Estuarine Research Reserve
Wendy Allen, Reserve Manager 843-904-9026 wendy@belle.baruch.sc.edu
Jennifer Plunket, Stewardship
Coordinator 843-904-9033 jen@belle.baruch.sc.edu
SC Institute of
Archaeology and
Anthropology
Maritime Research Division
Nathan Fulmer, Underwater
Archaeologist
843-762-6105 fulmern@mailbox.sc.edu
Technological, Logistical and Equipment
Capabilities
Jim Spirek, State Underwater
Archaeologist
803-576-6566 SpirekJ@mailbox.sc.edu
61
Table E3. Federal Agencies
Agency
Division
Topic
Point of Contact
Phone
Email
Bureau of Safety
and Environmental
Enforcement
(BSEE)
Marine Trash
and Debris
Program
Planning and coordination James Sinclair, Marine Ecologist 504-736-2789 james.sinclair@bsee.gov
Federal Emergency
Management
Agency (FEMA)
Region IV
Funding following Presidential
disaster declaration
Contact local Emergency
Management Agency
- -
GIS mapping and plotting of imagery
David Lawson, Region IV GIS
Coordinator
770-220-5504 david.lawson@fema.dhs.gov
Technical expertise for removal
operations and environmental,
compliance and permitting expertise
Valerie Rhoads, Public
Assistance Branch Chief
770-220-5618 valerie.rhoads@fema.dhs.gov
Stephanie Madson, Region IV
Environmental Officer
770-220-5387
stephanie.madson@fema.dhs.gov
National Oceanic
and Atmospheric
Administration
(NOAA)
National Marine
Fisheries Service
(NMFS) or NOAA
Fisheries
Emergency EFH Consultation
Ken Riley
252-728-8750
ken.riley@noaa.gov
Emergency ESA Consultation General Contact 727-824-5312
nmfs.ser.emergency.consult@noaa.gov
NOS, ORR,
Emergency
Response
Division
Potential to release oil or hazardous
material
Bradford Benggio, USCG District
7 Scientific Support Coordinator
(SSC)
305-530-7931 bradford.benggio@noaa.gov
NOS, ORR,
Marine Debris
Division
Response capabilities and
coordination
Sarah Latshaw, Southeast
Regional Coordinator, Marine
Debris Program
843-7401154
(O), 843-697-
7416 (C)
sarah.latshaw@noaa.gov
NOS, Office of
Coast Survey
Navigation Response Teams
Kyle Ward, Southeast Regional
Navigation Manager
843-740-1153 kyle.ward@noaa.gov
National Park
Service (NPS)
National Sites
Fort Sumter National Monument
-
843-881-5516
-
Charles Pinckney National Historic
Site
- 843-883-3123 -
Southeast Region Ocean Programs
Catherine (Anna) Toline, Marine
Scientist - Oceans Program
Coordinator
843-518-1939 catherine_toline@nps.gov
Natural Resource
Conservation
Service (NRCS)
- Emergency Watershed Protection
(EWP) Program Information
Stephen T. Henry, Assistant
State Conservation Engineer 803-765-5350 stephen.henry@sc.usda.gov
62
Table E3. Federal Agencies Continued
Agency
Division
Topic
Point of Contact
Phone
Email
U.S. Army Corps
of Engineers
(USACE),
Charleston
District
Regulatory Compliance and permitting expertise
Tommy Fennel, Chief Northeast
Branch
843-365-1727 tommy.e.fennel@usace.army.mil
Robin Socha 843-329-8167 robin.c.socha@usace.army.mil
Courtney Stevens 843-329-8027 courtney.m.stevens@usace.army.mil
Navigation
Federally maintained waterway or
channel
Scott Glass 843-329-8144 scott.a.glass@usace.army.mil
Emergency
Management
Response capabilities Michael Hind, Chief 843-329-8106 michael.b.hind@usace.army.mil
Emergency Management Division EOC
-
-
cesac-eoc2@usace.army.mil
U.S. Coast
Guard (USCG)
District 7, Sector
Charleston
Potential to release oil or hazardous
material
National Response Center (NRC)
1-800-424-
8802
-
Response capabilities
Dan Ferrell, CWO 843-740-7087 daniel.c.ferrell@uscg.mil
Trevor Moser, MSTC
-
trevor.c.moser@uscg.mil
LT Jeffrey Prebeck, Chief Incident
Management 843-740-3182 jeffrey.m.prebeck@uscg.mil
LT John Downing, Chief
Waterways Management 843-740-3184 john.z.downing@uscg.mil
U.S.
Environmental
Protection
Agency (EPA)
Region IV
Potential to release oil or hazardous
substance
National Response Center (NRC) 800-424-8802 -
Planning and coordination
Terry Stilman, ESF-10 On Scene
Coordinator - stillman.terry@epa.gov
Gary Andrew, RRT IV and ESF-10
Coordinator 678-733-1621 andrew.gary@epa.gov
Capability contact EPA Region IV Duty Officer 404-562-8700 -
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service
(USFWS)
National Wildlife
Refuges
SC Lowcountry Refuge Complex
-
843-928-3264
-
Savannah Coastal Office - 843-784-2468 -
Ecological Services
Program
Compliance and permitting expertise
Mark Caldwell, Deputy Field
Supervisor
843-727-4707
x 215
mark_caldwell@fws.gov
Public Affairs
Jennifer Koches, Public Affairs
Specialist
843-727-4707
x 214
jennifer_koches@fws.gov
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Wilbur L. Ross, Jr.
United States Secretary of Commerce
RDML Tim Gallaudet, Ph.D., USN Ret.
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and
Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere
W. Russell Callender, Ph.D.
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services
and Coastal Zone Management

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