The S.C. Environmental Law Project (SCELP) filed an appeal of a S.C. Administrative Law Court judge’s decision late last year to allow the WestEdge Foundation to cap a landfill to block the flow of toxic runoff into the wetlands along Hagood Avenue. SCELP filed the appeal on behalf of the Friends of Gadsden Creek. The debate on how best to protect the creek and reduce area flooding centers on whether a ditch along Hagood is the creek or a man-made drainage channel. | Photo by Herb Frazier

MORNING NEWSBREAK  |  About 60 gallons of diesel fuel spilled Sunday afternoon into a stormwater ditch on Johns Island after vandalism of a construction vehicle at the site of a Charleston Water System (CWS) sewer project.

“Our contractor cleaned up a portion of the spill, immediately called in a professional environmental remediation company and notified SC DHEC [Department of Health and Environmental Control] and the EPA’s National Response Center,” said CWS Public Information Administrator Mike Saia. “It may take several days for them to recapture all remnants of the fuel.”

The fuel spilled into a stormwater ditch that runs behind the homes on Colonel Harrison Drive and leads toward the Stone River. Saia added the spilled fuel was contained before it reached the river and would not impact shellfish or wildlife in the river.

The spill was the third instance of vandalism to contractor equipment in recent weeks, according to CWS, and is being investigated by the Charleston County Sheriff’s Office. 

In other recent headlines:

CP NEWS: Voting now open for Charleston City Paper’s Best of Charleston 2024. It’s that time of year again — time for Charleston City Paper readers to vote in the Best of Charleston 2024 on their favorite restaurants, bars, nail salons, tattoo artists, insurance providers and so much more.

CP FOOD: Charleston Wine + Food celebrates 2nd Street Fest. For the second year running, upper King Street is going to be transformed into a fun, happening street market during this year’s Charleston Wine + Food festival.

Gas prices climb again after last week’s drop. Gas prices in South Carolina have continued to climb over the past week with the state’s average going up 8.4 cents per gallon to a total of $3.01 per gallon on average.

S.C. coast is sinking, study shows. Parts of Charleston are sinking faster than any city on the East Coast, according to a new study from Virginia Tech and the U.S. Geological Survey. South Carolina on average lost more than a half-inch of height from 2007 to 2020, but rates varied widely up and down the coast.

Charleston to roll out safety improvements to King Street. The City of Charleston is rolling out the King Street Safety Initiative March 7 to address problems known to impact that section of downtown, including intensifying alcohol enforcement with police, increasing police presence with mounted and bike patrols and conducting peak hour fire marshal inspections.

Charleston officials working on accessibility on the peninsula. City of Charleston officials are looking to bring better accessibility into the city while maintaining the character of historic properties, including accommodations to restrooms to add guardrails and better parking options for community members.

Charleston Co. seeking qualified community members to be part of committee. The Charleston County School District is looking for two community members to serve on the district’s Audit and Finance Committee during what the district is calling “an extremely difficult budgeting year.”

Trident to build new ER on Johns Island. Trident Health is planning a new emergency room on Johns Island ahead of its first official hospital to provide “critical need” for urgent care in the area.
Renovated West Ashley library sets opening date. The Charleston County Public Library is reopening the newly renovated West Ashley Library March 18 with a ribbon cutting ceremony set for 9 a.m.


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