S.C. DOT Fined on U.S. 17A Widening Project

The Environmental Protection Agency announced several fines Monday related to violations of the Clean Water Act, including alleged violations by the S.C. Department of Transportation in a Berkeley County project.

According the the EPA, the state will have to pay $21,000 for a violation related to the widening of Hwy. 17A. Work is nearing completion on the project from Carnes Crossroad to Moncks Corner.

The SCDOT was one of 13 entities in the Southeast cited for alleged stormwater-related violations of the Clean Water Act. The list also includes the North Carolina Department of Transportation. 

In a statement, EPA Regional Administrator Gwen Keyes Fleming said the fines are an important step in protecting quality of life.

"By addressing the violations noted in our inspections, these entities will prevent millions of pounds of pollution from entering the environment," she said. 

Polluted stormwater runoff is discharged, often untreated, directly into local water bodies, according to the EPA.

GSR Jedburg was also cited for violations at its Strathmore PD in Summerville, with a $19,000 civil penalty.