Some of my primary job functions are:

• Review Waste Management Plans, or comprehensive engineering designs for the construction and operation of a facility, and determine permit conditions for compliance with the state regulations pertaining to agricultural facilities (R61-43 "Standards for the Permitting of Agricultural Animal Facilities") and federal EPA regulations.
• Review current and new animal waste management and treatment technologies being developed for implementation in South Carolina.
• Assist in writing new regulations for animal agriculture in South Carolina and assist in their development through the legislative process.
• Develop guidance materials for agricultural facility permitting and provide information to applicants, engineers, the public and other departmental staff.
• Conduct and/or attend conferences, hearings, and meetings with agricultural representatives, department staff and the public.
• Assist Clemson University in the development and implementation of the Manure Managers Certification Program. For more information on this program, please visit our website: http://hubcap.clemson.edu/scafrs/Peedee/certifi/CAMM.html
• Provide site assessments for new agricultural facilities.
• Provide technical assistance to the regional inspectors.
• Perform technical reviews and site evaluations of old waste treatment lagoons pending closure.
• Assist with public notices for agricultural facilities.
  

The most interesting aspect of my job is the many different people I meet and interact with in my role with the state agency. I work closely with farmers to assist them in complying with all the state and federal environmental regulations. I have been given the opportunity to participate in many conferences and training seminars with some of the best professionals and experts in this field of work. I also spend significant time on the road, speaking at conferences and meetings about South Carolina's agricultural waste program. This gives me an opportunity to meet many different individuals in the public and the business arenas and proposals for new facilities.

I do on-site evaluations at the proposed location and often I see these systems built from the ground up. With animal agriculture moving from the traditional family farm to corporate farms in South Carolina, we see many new technologies being implemented on these "factory farms." One waste technology that is becoming more widely used in South Carolina is the above-ground steel waste storage tank or the "Slurry Store." Many swine farms are using this technology as an alternative to the traditional lagoon or waste storage pond. These new steel tanks are more environment friendly, since they do not pose the potential for manure seepage that traditional lagoons/storage ponds typically pose to the environment. Whether a farm uses a traditional lagoon, a waste storage pond or a new treatment technology, I am responsible for reviewing and approving all engineering specifications and plans for the design of these structures. We also evaluate the sites to determine if groundwater monitoring wells should be required. If the designs comply with the specific requirements of our regulations and standards, we will approve the proposal and monitor its progress through construction and final implementation.

Another very popular waste management system component is the mechanical solids separator. These systems provide the farmer with a method of removing a percentage of the solids from the waste stream before the waste is conveyed to the treatment or storage structure. This will prolong the life of the treatment/storage structure and provide a more efficient use of solids. Rather than accumulating solids at the bottom of the treatment/storage structure and being faced with an enormous volume of solids to remove every 10-20 years, this technology allows the farmer to routinely remove and use this material on the farm.

Once the waste effluent or liquid has reached the waste treatment/storage structure, the waste is utilized on cropland throughout the annual crop rotations. Various types of irrigation systems are used to pump the effluent to the field. Traveling gun irrigation systems and stationary big guns seem to be the most popular. Center pivot and solid set irrigation systems are also utilized. We review all the design specifications on these systems to ensure that the design is sound and evaluate specific areas for possible failure or waste release. Waste is applied to cropland or pasture at agronomic rates and the actual application or delivery rates may be adjusted to reduce risk of runoff. Each waste application site or crop field is reviewed and evaluated for its suitability to receive waste. We consider the soil types, depth to groundwater, crops or cover, location in watershed, nutrient sensitivity of adjacent water resources, soil tests, slope, planting and harvest rotation, hydraulic loading limits, nutrient uptake ability, and method of application. Once the field or application site is determined to be suitable and the facility installed, sites are monitored annually with soils tests and site reviews. Groundwater monitoring wells may be required at very sensitive sites used for land application.

Another waste stream from these farms is the mortality or dead animals that can be very large at some farms and must be dealt with in a responsible manner. Many farms today use dead animal composting for this purpose. Composters are constructed and managed by the operator on-site and the finished compost product is then utilized on-site. Another popular method of dead animal disposal is incineration. Farmers may purchase package incinerators to use on-site for burning their animal mortality. In some areas of the state, rendering is an excellent way to recycle this mortality waste stream. Farms located near rendering plants will deposit dead animals each day in a dead box or dumpster and the rendering plant comes to the farm daily and removes the mortality. Some farms may use burial pits for dead animal disposal, but the sites for burial are evaluated by the DHEC very closely, and not all farms have suitable conditions for this method of disposal. Dead animals can also be taken to landfills, but this seems to be very inconvenient and sometimes too expensive.

Once all the technical plans and the site have been reviewed, we can then make a determination on the permit issuance. DHEC allows for public input during this process. As our population is increasing and many people are moving into South Carolina's rural areas, we are experiencing some growing pains. Many suburbs are spilling into the agricultural or rural areas causing increased public concern over these types of facilities. About one in every ten permits issued for agricultural facilities are appealed by a neighbor or nearby resident concerned over this type of facility being built near their homes. Therefore, another portion of my time is spent in the courtroom serving as a witness in the defense of my permit decisions.

Through my job with the state of South Carolina, I have been given the opportunity to do many new and exciting things in my career. I have the opportunity to contribute to protecting South Carolina’s environment while seeking solutions that are fair to practical and fair to all parties. I feel that the Biosystems Engineering degree prepared me well for my job responsibilities and experiences in the workforce.

For more information on the SC DHEC Agricultural Program, please visit our website at http://www.state.sc.us/dhec/eqc/water/html/agpage.html