&EPA
MUSC
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
OF SOUTH CAROLINA
Teachers'
E mvirommental
Education
Iiistitote
Charleston, SC
July 12-23, 1999
Program Activities following TEEI98
and
Outreach Activities with Public Officials from Allendale,
Columbia, Fairfax, Greer, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg
US Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV,
Medical University of South Carolina's
Environmental Biosciences Program,
and South Carolina State University
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This is a follow-up report of activities completed and scheduled since the 1998 Teachers Environ-
mental Education Institute (TEEI). Preparations for the 1999 TEEI are currently underway.
=> The 1998 TEEI Report was submitted to the EPA in August, 1998.
=> On September 2, 1998 a memorandum was mailed to all participants that thanked everyone for
their positive responses to the Institute and contained the following enclosures:
1. Presentations made by each group, or individual at the end of the session
2. A copy of our first "newsletter"
3. Information for the one-day "how-to" session on preparing and submitting proposals
for small grants
4. A group picture
=> Quaterly news letters were mailed in September and December 1998 (appendix A).
=> A letter was mailed to all TEEI 1998 participants on October 13, 1998 to find out if the teachers
had the opportunity to incorporate information from the Institute into their curriculum. If so,
they were asked to describe successes and obstacles during implementation. Three responses
have been received (appendix B) and an additional reminder was put in the December "TEEI
Update." The teacher who best incorporates their knowledge from the 1998 TEEI in their class-
room will receive an award and be invited to speak to TEEI 1999 participants.
=> A one-day "how to" workshop on preparing and submitting proposals for small grants was held
on October 24, 1998 in Charleston, SC (appendix C). The purpose of this workshop was to
provide teachers with detailed instructions and technical assistance on grant preparation. Mar-
garet Crowe and Alice Chastain walked nine TEEI 1998 teachers through the grant writing
process. The teachers were each given an electronic copy of an EPA grant application to take
with them, and submitt upon completetion.
=> Meetings were scheduled with city officials and EBP staff during the months of October and
November in Allendale, Fairfax, Columbia, Greer, Myrtle Beach, and Spartanburg. The purpose
of the meetings was to identify environmental concerns in each community, the existance of a
Comprehensive Plan and, its effectiveness. A series of meetings with city and EPA officials was
held on December 11, 1998 in Columbia, SC (appendix D). The purpose of these meetings was
to provide an opportunity for city officials to address environmental concerns to EPA officials
and to discuss how federal, state, and local representatives can work together to solve community
issues.
Report
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Appendix A
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Teachers' Environmental Education Institute
Update
Charleston, South Carolina
Volume 1, Issue 1
September 2, 1998
Success
Judging by participant's positive responses in sur-
veys, the inaugural Teachers' Environmental Educa-
tion Institute was a success worth repeating. "I was
very impressed," said Ms. Jewell Harper of the EPA.
Ms. Harper stressed the importance of educating
those in direct contact with tomorrow's students. "I
was struck by the enthusiasm of the teachers. Teachers
have access to the community and to the children. We
try to network support through local schools to the
community. The institute was a win/win for the
community."
Overall, glowing reviews by participants, presenters,
and observers pave the way for a more successful
institute next year.
TEEI1999
Next year's institute will include teachers from
South Carolina and Georgia. Because of the success
of this year's institute, we are hoping for increased
interest from teachers across both states. If you know
of any teachers who might be interested in attending
the 1999 Teachers' Environmental Education Institute,
please have them contact us for more information.
We look forward to seeing enthusiastic faces next
July ready to learn about environmental concerns that
cross state lines.
Submit Your Program
Are you using what you learned? Tell us how you
are using the information you received at the 1998
Teachers' Environmental Education Institute in your
classrooms, schools and communities.
We always like to see education in action, and we
hope to invite a few participants back next year to
share their projects and curriculum development with
a new group of teachers.
One-Day Grant Seminar
Millions of dollars go unclaimed every year. We are
not talking about the lottery, or a sweepstakes. We are
talking about money from federal grants. The money
comes from various governmental bodies that offer
grant opportunities.
Would you or someone you know be interested in
learning how to complete a grant application from
beginning to end in order to build a nature trail near
your school, or to fund other environmentally friendly
projects? With your support, we hope to hold a one-
day seminar in the Spring of 1999 to help some of the
unclaimed money go to schools like yours.
Further details about when the seminar will be held
will accompany the next TEEI newsletter.
Web Page
As part the development of an Environmental Haz-
ards Assessment Program web page, we hope to offer
a link to a page dedicated to the 1998 TEEI. Plans are
in the works this fall to begin construction of the web
pages. We will keep you posted as the sites become
available.
Teachers at the Teachers' Environmental Education Institute
learning different methods of composting.
Sponsored by US Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, Medical University of South Carolina's
Environmental Hazards Assessment Program, and South Carolina State University
This event is supported in part by US EPA Cooperative Agreement # EQ984354-98-0
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Teachers* Environmental Education Institute
Volume 1, Issue 2
December 7, 1998
ate
Charleston, South Carolina
TEEI1999
The 1999 Teachers' Environmental Education Institute will
be held from luly 12-23, 1999, in Charleston, S.C. Partici-
pating teachers from South Carolina and Georgia will attend
lectures, workshops, and field trips to help them better un-
derstand environmental issues.
If you know any teacher who might be interested in attend-
ing this year's Institute, please have them contact us, and we
will gladly send them an application.
One-Day Grant Writing Workshop
The Teachers' Grant Writing Workshop on October 24,
1998, brought together 1998 TEEI alumni to learn about ap-
plying for federal grants to their respective schools. Money
received from federal grants can be used to start greenhouses,
recycling programs, and a variety of other projects.
Alice Chastain and Margaret Crowe, both Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) representatives, explained the grant
reviewing process, how to develop a viable grant proposal,
and walked participants through the grant writing process.
Participants were given an electronic copy of an EPA grant
application to fill out for submission.
Good luck to all who submitted an application. Please let
us know if you receive approval of ycur grant application.
You can e-mail Charlene Marsh at marshc@musc.edu or con-
tact her by phone at (843) 727-6440.
Alice Chastain and Margaret Crowe guide teachers through grant writing.
Danish Teacher Exchange
Understanding the importance of preserving and protect-
ing the environment is not limited to small communities or
even entire nations. Environmental problems affect every
aspect of the world and teachers are some of the most impor-
tant champions of environmental issues.
Linda McCants, a 1998 TEEI graduate, recently gave her
class a greater understanding of how other countries deal with
environmental problems. She invited Anette Kristensen, a
seventh grade teacher from Aarup, Denmark, to speak to her
world geography class about life in Denmark.
Ms. Kristensen's presented information to the students about
the waste management and recycling programs in Denmark.
Ms. McCants' students will complete follow-up activities,
including a pen-pal letter exchange between schools, and will
select and summarize articles on environmental issues in Den-
mark using information on the internet. The summaries will
then be added to each student's portfolio.
This project is a good example of how teachers can incor-
porate environmental issues and projects into almost any cur-
riculum. Not only do students learn more about a distant
country, but also how that country deals with the environ-
mental responsibility of being a part of the global commu-
nity.
Submit Your Program
We are still waiting to hear from all of the dedicated 1998
TEEI alumni. We are very interested in how you are using
the information you received this summer. Have you started
a recycling program or a nature conservation project with
your students?
The teacher with the best project will present it to the 1999
TEEI. We look forward to hearing from you. Please contact
Charlene Marsh by phone at (843) 727-6440 or by e-mail at
marshc @ muse .edu.
Happy Holidays
We would like to extend to you and your students a happy
holiday season. We hope you can find new ways as you en-
joy the holidays to teach environmentally friendly practices.
Please remember to check in your local area for a Christmas
tree recycling program.
Sponsored by US Environmental Protection Agency, Region IV, Medical University of South Carolina's
Environmental Biosciences Program, and South Carolina State University:
This event is supported in part by US EPA Cooperative Agreement ft EQ984354-98-0
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Appendix B
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DEJAR Charlene et. al.,(
Good to hear trom you. I'm really enjoying'teaching Marine- Bio
logy this year- in spite of my inexperience in this area. I've
pursued leads,with various success (still no computer) but I didc
gst a video "Inky",, recycle workbooks and various info in the mail-
Coastal Carolina League,( Around Alone Race,( etc. I've had various
success with speakers- Jane Quatrocchi from the Coast Guards has
been excellent- she helped us get to the Coast Guard 3ase for a
tour and boatride. We also went to the recycling plant but
haven't yet set up our recycling program here at Burke High
School. However,( a Mr. David Rivers (I think you know him) never
did respond to my request to come and speak to my class!!!!!
We hope to be following the Around Alone Race,( especially Robin
Davies from Chas. and did try to talk to the sailors at the Marina
but they had moved to the Maritime Center by then. In the future,
we hope to visit a woman in Sullivan's Isle that takes care of
wounded marine life and coastal birds, and another visit to the
Marine Resources Laboratory this spring.
So thanks again for your work,( encouragement and materials and
resources. I've found them very helpful and look forward to even
more events,( speakers and general curriculum in this area.
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Administrative Office
TO:
Linda McCants
FROM:
Susan T\W(^y
RE:
Mini-grant application
DATE: September 21, 1998
Thank you for submitting a mini-grant application for an Environmental Awareness Club
project. School to Work funds in the amount of S250 can be used for supplies for special
education students to plant a garden. Please remember that all requisitions for purchase orders
must have the principal's signature before our office can process them.
Congratulations on your innovative teaching strategies. I look forward to working with
you this school year.
cc: Harold McClain
578 Ellis Avenue • Orangeburg, South Carolina 29115 • (803)534-5454 FAX (803) 533-7953
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Environmental Awareness Club
An Environmental Awareness Club has been organized at Robert E. Howard
Middle School. The purpose of this club is to inform its members of
environmental issues that may affect them and their community. Also,
students will organize school and community projects and participate in
community volunteer services that promotes keeping our environment clean
and safe for everyone.
The first club project for the 1998-1999 school year was participating in the
BeachSweep/River Sweep on Saturday, September 19, 1998. Club
members, Erica Carson, Brittni Dash, Angel Jamison, Krystal Johnson, and
April McMillan, along with Ms. McCants, assisted in cleaning up the area
around Pou's Landing located off the Cannon Bridge Road.
Future projects include: a school-wide recycling program, planting a school
garden, presentations on environmental issues and laws at PTSA and
Parenting Night meetings, and clean-up projects in the community.
If you are interested in becoming a member, please sign up with Ms.
McCants in H-l.
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HOWARD STUDENTS ARE RECYCLING
Seventh graders at Howard Middle School are recycling aluminum cans,
plastic bottles, and newspapers in Ms. McCants geography classes. This
project is one of several that focuses on environmental awareness through
the instruction of geography. Students are being taught to become earth
conscious through conservation.
Students have a recycling bin in the classroom where they may deposit
recyclable items used during lunch. Newspapers used in class for
instructional purposes are also collected. The aluminum cans are donated to
support much needed community projects. The bottles and newspapers are
delivered to a city recycling location. Students are also encouraged to
recycle at home. Class instructions and activities focus on the importance
of protecting the environment.
Throughout the year, data will be collected to determine the number of
students who are recycling at home. Present data supports a constant
increase in recycling by students at home. Students have made a
commitment to recycle, reuse, and reduce the amount of recyclable items
they use daily.
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Printed By: Charler.e Marsh Page: 1 10/19/98 8:47 AM
From: avabyersGbellsouth.net (10/18/98)
To: m2urshc@musc.edu
Mail*Link® SMTP none a yo bidness
Hey folks:
Why ya'll wanna be up in nry bidr.ess? Must have sometir.g to do with that
( TEEI) investment that you made in me last Summer. Guess I'll 1st you
in on the happenings.
My seventh grade "GIRL POWER" class is studying environmental issues as
thy relate to environmental protection. To date they have completed a
number of activities provided in tlie TEZI resources. Some of the
objectives covered to date include:
1. identify raw material used to make several products
2. distinguish between renewable and nonrenewable resources
3. identify steps in manufacturing tht can be bypassed when recycled
materials are used
4. evaluate product packaging to determine waste
5. collect data about their contribution to the waste stream
6. examined a variety of plastic products to determine type and
potential for recycling
7.discussed the inpact of consumption and waste upon the world's natural
resouces
8.developed and irrplemented this year's schoolwide recycling program
THEY GOT THE POWER!
We're having a very productive year and look foward to exploring orher
topics and issues. Thanks for your support.
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Date: Sun, 18 Oct 1998 09:27:14 -0100
From: cece jonnson
Reply-To: avabyers@bellsouth.net
Organization: morningside middle
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Appendix C
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Teachers' Grant
'Writing Workshop
MEDICAL UNIVERSITY
~F SOUTH CAROLINA
Charleston,
October 2 4,
SC
199 8
Agenda
10:00 a.m. Welcome and Overview
Glenn Fleming, MUSC/EBP
Rickey Hill, SCSU
Margaret Crowe, EPA
Charlene Marsh, MUSC/EBP
10:15 a.m. Water Sourcebook Curriculum Alice Chastain, EPA
Presentation
10:45 a.m. Grant Writing Workshop
Alice Chastain, EPA
12:15 p.m. Lunch
1:00 p.m. Question and Answer Session Alice Chastain, EPA
2:00 p.m. Technical Assistance/
Work Session
Alice Chastain, EPA
Glenn Fleming, MUSC/EBP
Bobbie Carlson, MUSC/Library
Charlene Marsh, MUSC/EBP
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Teachers use computers in the Medical University of South
Carolina's library to work on their grant applications.
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Alice Chastain works with participants filling out
their electronic grant applications.
Alice Chastain and Margaret Crowe give instruction at
the Grant-Writing Workshop.
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Appendix D
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Meetings with
City Officials
Myrtle Beach. SC - October 20. 1998
EBP personnel met with Mr. Tom Leath, City Administrator of Myrtle Beach. Mr.
Leath indicated that Myrtle Beach developed a Comprehensive Development
Plan 15 years ago, and it is currently being updated. The Plan has a section
that touches on environmental issues. There are no major developmental
problems from the US Air Force base closure. The only environmental issues
that exist on the base are asbestos and fuel which the federal government has
control over. The growth opposition faced by Myrtle Beach is traffic, blocking
view of ocean, recycling, and waste management. Myrtle Beach has a
population of 25,000 people year-round and 70,000 people on a daily average.
Storm water/ocean quality, garbage disposal, and drinking water are the
environmental issues in this area.
There is no heavy manufacturing. The biggest concern is water quality from
runoff storm water. There are 181 pipes that release water into the beach.
Prior to the Storm Law in 1987, this was a major problem.
Allendale. SC - October 27. 1998
EBP personnel met with Mayor Robbie Dix. Mayor Dix indicated that Allendale
does have a basic Land Use Plan that focuses on downtown development. A
major concern for the town is the struggle between economic growth and what
makes rural communities special. Allendale County has a population of fewer
than 12,000. Water quality is an issue because of the number of residents
using well water instead of town water.
The wastewater treatment plant has just been upgraded. EPA and DHEC
forced the upgrading, which is causing economic strain on senior citizens,
people on fixed incomes, and people who are employed in minimum wage
jobs. The fee for the upgrade will be spread over users.
There is an issue with the Savannah River Site. The entire area felt the impact
of downsizing at the plant. For the counties below the Savannah River Site,
there is a question about the load that the river can handle. They might have to
find an alternative to dumping sewer in the river.
The people in the community who are pro-economic development think that
Allendale should try to bring in labor-intensive industry to match the available
1
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workforce. There is incredible pressure to produce jobs in small communities,
while balancing economic development with environmental justice.
Mayor Dix raised concerns about the numerous old gas tanks buried
throughout the town. Beca jse of the tanks and the cleanup that DHEC
requires, it is impossible to develop or sell some of the available property to
willing buyers. The Mayor is also concerned about the possibility of a hog or
chicken farm in his town. The town is trying to limit environmental damage that
has occurred by limiting industry. "Keep it clean and pollution free" is the vision
that Mayor Dix is trying to uphold. His long-term plans include Allendale
becoming a possible retirement community.
Fairfax. SC - October 27. 1998
EBP personnel met with Mayor Riley. Mayor Riley indicated that there have
been several meetings held with EPA and DHEC officials. People who live
around Helena Chemical and US Steel sites want to be tested, and that has
not occurred. There are reports of high rates of cancer, diabetes, and
premature death. Dr. Robert Marino from DHEC assured residents that the
chemical levels are not high enough in the soil to cause any health concerns or
warrant human testing. DHEC and EPA have given no formal response in
reference to findings in Fairfax. It has been one year since Fairfax has heard
from DHEC and EPA.
There is a wetland between Helena Chemical and US Steel that was never
cleaned up. The wastewater from the two companies drains into the wetland.
The water from Helena's property drains toward Fa rfax. For a time, Helena
Chemical was manufacturing over 30 chemicals and dumping some of the
waste on their property. The source of the town's wall water is in that area. The
City was told later that EPA funds were no longer available.
An example of the danger is a lady who bought a brand new house for $52,000.
When she found out about the chemicals in the area she moved out. The
house was sold for $11,000 after three feet of dirt was removed from around
the house. She could not get anyone to test her children.
When asked what Mayor Riley wants from the EPA and DHEC his response
was that he wants them to "Be Real." The dirt was removed from around the
polluted sites, but trucks drive through town uncovered even though there was
an agreement to cover the trucks to prevent flying cust.
Spartanburg. SC - November 3. 1998
EBP personnel met with Mr. Roy Lane, City Administrator. Mr. Lane indicated
that Spartanburg does have a City Development Plan is being updated to align
with new state laws. Spartanburg tends to create redevelopment plans on a
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case by case basis. Spartanburg has dreams of being a part of the fast
commuter rail from Charlotte to Atlanta.
Environmental problems that exist in Spartanburg are negative perception of
industry by the community and the overall growth and development (i.e.,
transportation, air quality, suburban sprawl, abandoned/under used properties,
costs associated with demolition and redevelopment).
Regenesis group:
Old city landfill: The old landfill closed 20 years ago, and it is outside the
city limits. The city has no jurisdiction over it. The city must trust EPA
and DHEC in this matter. There are too many liability issues to jump in
and help. Brownfields has not been looked into in this area because
there are too many other locations more strategically placed.
Fertilizer plant: Wells and storm water runoff.
According to Mr. Lane, Environmental Justice (EJ) is not an issue right now. No
one in the mayor's office has been dealing with EJ. This is worked on in a
case by case manner.
Greer. SC - November 4. 1998
EBP personnel met with Mr. Ken Westmoreland, City Administrator of Greer,
SC. Mr. Westmoreland indicated that Greer has a Land Use Plan from the
1994 Planning Act.
The three major issues in Greer:
Elmore Superfund: E. Poinsette Street, 3 to 4 years of cleanup,
residential areas.
Aquatech: No cleanup as of yet, would like to incorporate into a 1000-
acre industrial park but have been discouraged by EPA lawyers because
of liability issues.
• Exide Battery site: Mainly lead contamination.
There are no formal environmental groups. There is some confrontation
between Greer citizens who have lived there a long time and new residents,
and industry associated with the tremendous growth of the area. Citizens are
concerned with traffic, air quality, zoning and green areas.
3
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Greer also has an inefficient recycling program because) there is not a good
market for plastics, lack of advertisements, and lack of educational materials.
Greer owns its own water, sewer and electric systems. [There is no one
dealing with urban sprawl anc the issue of being on 29 and 85 between
Spartanburg and Greenville. For 20 years, Greer started 25 houses per year.
But in the last two years, Greer has had 35 new starts per month. In the future,
they would like to have a land bank. No one has don= anything to address
suburban sprawl.
Greer is part of the Greenville Spartanburg Hospital systems, although it does
have a small hospital in town. As far as Mr. Westmoreland knows, there are
environmental health programs in the community.
Myrtle Beach - November 10. 1998
EBP personnel scheduled three meetings on this dat=. The first meeting was
with Mayor Mark McBride. Mayor McBride's environmental concerns were storm
water runoff from old septic tanks overflowing, commercial recycling, and the
overall water supply.
The Mayor indicated that there is no specific chapter in;the Comprehensive
Plan for environmental issues.
The second meeting was wth Mr. Ronald Andrews, Executive Director, and
Pam Arnett, Education Specialist, Horry County Solid Waste Authority, Inc.
Issues raised in this meetinc included a need for a storm plan because
development is impacting where landfills are. The major issue though is the
time to get started.
The Solid Waste Plan for the next 20 years (municipal solid waste, i.e., garbage
landfills) includes disposal, solid waste, and recycling
PeeDee counties have come together to form Solid Waste Landfill Authority
(1992) - greater tonnage lowers net cost to run.
Environmental concerns:
Residents do not want expansion of landfills because it hurts property
value.
Locations not good, too many wetlands.
Solid waste has bad reputation.
4
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Community (panic factor).
Mr. Andrews indicated a reemphasis is needed for education and outreach,
source reduction, better shopping habits, and recycling.
There are approximately 180,000 tons of garbage -- 40,000 from tourists.
Transportation is the main cost because landfills cannot be within 1,000 feet of
residents.
The third meeting was with Mr. Jack Walker, Director of the Planning
Department, and Mr. David Fuller, Senior Planner, City of Myrtle Beach.
It was indicated that there is a Comprehensive Plan that has a lot of
environmental issues to comply with the 1994 Legislation. The Plan covers
issues concerning storm water management, depletion of wetlands water
quality, air quality, open land conservation for habitats, forestry plan process for
private and public sector to protect native landscape, using GIS information for
future planning, public health, and flooding hazards and earthquakes.
The city and county have different perspectives on urban sprawl regarding city
and transient growth that affects air and quality of water as well as
environmentally encouraging less sprawl by looking at different ways for future
growth (i.e., streets, smaller houses, and lifestyles).
Some challenges that the Air Force faces are to demolish the buildings for
redevelopment and to retain and cleanup pollution on the property.
Columbia. SC - December 10. 1998
Following the meetings with individual City Officials and Administrators,
meetings were scheduled to discuss the communities' concerns as well as a
means to resolve issues with EPA and EBP personnel. EPA attendees
included Jewell Harper, Rosalind Brown, and Caron Falconer, Rickey Hill from
South Carolina State University, Quentin Pair from the US Department of
Justice, and David Rivers and Charlene Marsh from the Medical University of
South Carolina's Environmental Biosciences Program. Mr. Peter McCord,
President of Greater Greer Development Corporation, Mr. Ken Westmoreland,
City Administrator of Greer, SC, and Mr. Marvin Smart, City Inspector of Fairfax,
SC, were the officials from the designated targeted areas that attended the
meeting. Below are the highlights from this meeting.
1. Greer
Mr. Westmoreland indicated that a new City Council was formed seven years
ago to revitalize Greer. The plan was to turn the City around by housing (30-35
new houses a month and 27 new subdivisions), commercial development,
industrial development and job creation. The Economic Development
5
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Corporation initiatives were for industrial recruiting for a diversified job market.
An industrial park was built to compete with other areas that included a $10-
$12 million investment within the first year. Greenville and Spartanburg have
now acquired this industrial park area for airport expansion. Greer is basically
starting from scratch to establish a new industrial park by moving east.
2. Fairfax
Mr. Smart indicated that cleanup of US Steel began Iwo years ago and is now
abandoned. Helena Chemical Company's cleanup s still going on. Some
independent testing has been done and chemicals have been found. Fairfax
residents are concerned because City Officials have not been contacted about
the clean up in the community. In the past, EPA, DHEC, and US Steel met and
it was decided that the waste was to be taken to the incinerator and burned.
Helena Chemical Company was supposed to clean up, but there is a run-off
that has not been addressed. Chemicals leak through cracks in the floor of the
building. The community v/ants the building taken down, but Mr. Smart said
that EPA would not take down the building. Mr. Smart would like residents
living in the area to be tested; population is approximately 3,000 people. The
area of contamination is approximately one mile (Fairfax is only 1 mile in
diameter with water draining southeasterly). Mr. Srrart's main concern is the
health and welfare of people in Fairfax. Dr. Marino from DHEC and someone
from ATSDR met in Fairfax to discuss the Helena site, jbut Mr. Smart feels like
nothing was really accomplished. DHEC did depository testing at US Steel and
Helena Chemical Company and found chemicals within a 1 1/2 mile area. The
US Steel report was placed in Hampton Library, not Fairfax's library. Mr. Smart
cannot understand this or the terminology from reports that he was given, and
asked Cynthia Peurifoy for assistance. Helena's report is in the Fairfax Library.
Suggestions: get report for interpretation, ATSDR, CAG, and TAG.
6
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