What is required for land disturbance of less than 1 acre within 1/2 mile of a water body in the SC coastal zone?

For land disturbances less than 1 acre within 1/2 mile of a water body in the South Carolina coastal zone, obtaining NPDES (National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System) coverage is typically required to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations regarding water quality and sediment control.

The NPDES program is designed to regulate discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States, including stormwater runoff from construction activities. Even for smaller areas of disturbance, proximity to bodies of water increases the risk of sediment and pollutants entering those waters, thus necessitating this coverage.

This requirement underscores the importance of protecting water quality and preventing sedimentation, which can harm aquatic ecosystems. Consequently, both the federal and state regulations mandate that a permit must be obtained before beginning any land-disturbing activities in these sensitive areas, regardless of the size of the area disturbed.