Agency putting dozens of dam owners on notice for big bills

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s environmental agency is warning dozens of dam owners they could be hit with substantial bills for not submitting repair plans as ordered.

The Department of Health and Environmental Control is sending violation notices to the owners of privately owned dams who didn’t meet the agency’s deadline for hiring an engineer and turning in plans for review.

Spokeswoman Jennifer Read says 42 of the 75 property owners who received emergency orders have responded.

The orders were mailed last month to the owners of dams that ruptured amid last month’s historic rainfall or were deemed unsafe after the flooding.

As of Tuesday, the agency had sent 24 official warnings that allow for fines and penalties. They also remind owners the agency can contract out the work and send a bill.