South Carolina Department of Environmental Services

About Us
The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is a team of environmental subject matter experts whose work impacts every South Carolinian, every day**.** We use science and data to drive our decisions and actions. Our work supports a resilient and sustainable South Carolina, and our efforts safeguard our air, land, water and coasts for generations to come.

Who We Are
SCDES is a South Carolina state cabinet agency established by state law on July 1, 2024, with specific roles and responsibilities for overseeing the protection and preservation of South Carolina’s environment and natural resources. We're more than scientists, environmental experts, permitting engineers and inspectors. We are collaborators, educators, advisors and public servants, who ensure all South Carolinians have a healthy environment. SCDES will focus on efficient and better delivery of services with a commitment to Science, Service and Sustainability.

SCDES is comprised of five environmental bureaus:

• Bureau of Water
• Bureau of Air Quality
• Bureau of Land and Waste Management
• Bureau of Coastal Management
• Bureau of Regional and Laboratory Services

As part of the restructuring, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resource’s hydrology and aquatic nuisance species programs are now part of SCDES’s Bureau of Water.

These five environmental bureaus are assisted by several important support teams including Human Resources, Finance and Operations, IT, Communications, Collaborative Partnerships and Strategic Initiatives, Legislative Affairs, General Counsel, Constituent Services and others.

SCDES has offices throughout the state where more than 1,200 team members provide environmental oversight and essential services that protect all communities across the state. The agency is headquartered in Columbia.