South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control

We promote and protect the health of the public and the environment.

• Pre-Application Process
• Certification Process
• Regulations
• Nationwide Permits
• Public Notices
• Contact

Nationwide Permits

Nationwide permits (NWPs) are general permits issued by the Corps of Engineers on a nationwide basis to authorize minor activities with little delay or paperwork. These NWPs are issued for a category of activities when those activities are similar in nature and cause only minimal individual and cumulative environmental impacts or the general permit would result in avoiding unnecessary duplication of regulatory control exercised by another regulatory agency provided it has been determined that the environmental consequences of the action are individually and cumulatively minimal. State Water Quality Certification pursuant to Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, or waiver thereof, is required prior to issuance or reissuance of the nationwide permits which may result in a discharge into waters of the United States. A determination that the NWPs are consistent with the South Carolina Coastal Zone Management Program is also required prior to issuance or reissuance of the nationwide permits.

A February 16, 2011 Federal Register Notice announced the proposed reissuance of the nationwide permits (NWPs).   In a February 21, 2012 Federal Register Notice, the Corps published the final reissuance of the NWPs.

DHEC issued its final 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification for the NWP on April 23, 2012.

2012 Information on Nationwide Permits

• DHEC’s Proposed 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Action
• DHEC’s Final 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Action
• DHEC’s General NWP Conditions
• DHEC's Specific NWP Conditions

2007 Information on Nationwide Permits

• DHEC’s Proposed 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Action
• DHEC’s Final 401 Water Quality Certification and Coastal Zone Consistency Certification Action
• DHEC’s General NWP Conditions
• DHEC's Specific NWP Conditions
  
  

2002 Information on Nationwide Permits

• 2002 Notice of Proposed Decision concerning 401 Water Quality Certification &
  Coastal Zone Management Program Certification
• 2002 Staff Assessment of application for 401 Water Quality Certification &
  Consistency with the S.C. Coastal Zone Management Program
• 2002 Final Certification Certification in Accordance with Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, as amended.
  Certification in Accordance with the S.C. Coastal Zone Management Program
• 2002 Nationwide Permit 401 and CZC General Conditions
• 2002 Nationwide Permit 401 and CZC Specific Conditions
  

This site will be updated as additional information is available. Last update: 02/24/12