South Carolina to Create a New Department of Environmental Services

On May 19, Governor McMaster signed legislation (R70, S399) that will replace the current South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control with two separate, new agencies, one for health and one for environment. The new Department of Environmental Services will include divisions to monitor air quality, water, land and waste management, water usage, regional and laboratory services, and coastal management. The new departments will now fall under the governor rather than a governing board approved by the legislature. The split will take effect July 1, 2024.