BMP inspections for construction sites in Pickens County, SC

Pickens County has two distinct active construction zones. The Easley and Powdersville areas along SC-153 and the US-123 bypass corridor have consistent commercial and residential subdivision development, driven partly by overflow from the Greenville-Simpsonville growth corridor. The Clemson and Seneca end of the county generates construction activity around the university, Lake Keowee development, and the SC-93 and SC-188 corridors. Both zones require NPDES permit coverage and regular BMP inspection documentation under the SCDHEC Construction General Permit.

What the permit requires

Any land-disturbing activity covering one acre or more in South Carolina requires NPDES permit authorization under the SCDHEC Construction General Permit (CGP). The CGP sets two independent inspection triggers: at least once every seven calendar days during active land disturbance, and within 24 hours of any rainfall event measuring 0.5 inches or more. A rain event inspection does not satisfy or reset the seven-day requirement.

The inspection record must document the date and time of inspection, current weather conditions, the condition of every BMP on the site, and any corrective action taken or needed. Records are kept in the SWPPP and must be available for at least three years. SCDHEC may inspect a Pickens County construction site at any time, and an incomplete or missing record is a violation regardless of whether the BMPs themselves are in good condition.

What gets documented on a Pickens County site

A complete BMP inspection covers the full site: silt fence along all disturbed boundaries, sediment basins and traps with current pool levels and outlet conditions, inlet protection at every drop inlet and curb inlet, the stabilized construction entrance, slope stabilization measures including erosion control blankets and seeding progress, and any drainage diversions. Areas of active erosion or BMP failure must be identified and the corrective action timeline documented.

On sites in the Easley and Powdersville growth corridors, the common documentation gap is incomplete coverage on larger sites where grading has opened multiple drainage areas. A superintendent conducting a ground walk on a 30-acre site under time pressure may document the main entrance and perimeter but miss interior drainage basins or newly disturbed areas. Aerial documentation from a single flight covers the full site boundary and all interior BMP locations simultaneously.

Rain event coverage in Pickens County

Pickens County's position in the foothills means it receives frequent summer and fall thunderstorms, and convective cells that produce 0.5 inches or more in 30 minutes are common from June through September. When a rain event triggers the 24-hour inspection requirement across multiple active sites at once, a drone can cover a Clemson or Easley site at first light the following morning. For contractors managing multiple active Pickens County sites, same-day rain event flights are available for contracted clients.

Easley and Clemson area site scheduling

Based in Clemson, both ends of Pickens County are within 15 minutes. Weekly and bi-weekly inspection schedules are available for active sites throughout the county. For sites in the Easley area, see drone BMP inspections for Easley construction sites. For Clemson and Lake Keowee area sites, see drone BMP inspections for Clemson area construction sites.

For SWPPP consultants managing multiple Pickens County sites simultaneously, see drone SWPPP inspection support for Easley for how aerial documentation integrates with your existing inspection program.

FAA Part 107 certified. Insured. Based in Clemson, SC, covering Pickens County construction sites within 15 minutes.