NOTICE OF 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD Hardaway Concrete, Stier Supply Company Richland County, South Carolina The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is accepting public comments on a proposed Voluntary Cleanup Contract through November 11, 2025. The Voluntary Cleanup Contract, 25-8820-NRP, will affect approximately 6.7 acres located at 2001 Taylor Street, 2001 Blanding Street, 2015 Blanding Street, and unaddressed railroad spur, Columbia, South Carolina. The property is further identified by Richland County Tax Map Serial Numbers 11407-04-01, 11407-02-01, 11407-02-02. An intergovernmental body known as the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority ("Transit") wants to acquire the property and intends to redevelop it as an intermodal transit facility. The property was used for various purposes since 1898 – including a freight warehouse, an oil company, and a lumber company, among others. The most recent use of the site was a concrete supply company. The past use of the site may have caused environmental pollution on the property. SCDES uses Voluntary Cleanup Contracts to encourage productive reuse of Brownfield sites. If this Voluntary Cleanup Contract is implemented, SCDES will allow Transit to acquire the property as a "Brownfields Site" because of the potential for environmental pollution from past activity on the property. SCDES will not hold Transit responsible for pre-existing pollution in exchange for doing work under the Voluntary Cleanup Contract. Under the proposed contract, Transit will test soil, groundwater, surface water, and soil vapor on the property. If significant contamination is found, Transit will be required to take steps to protect human health and the environment. Transit did not create the pollution but will control it to keep the property safe for re-use. Under State law, Transit will not be responsible if anyone has been affected by the contamination. The responsibility of former owners or operators of the property is not reduced by this contract. The proposed contract is available at https://des.sc.gov/PublicNotices. Printed copies may be obtained from the SCDES Freedom of Information Office at (803) 898-3882. The public may provide written, email, or telephone comments on the proposed contract through November 11, 2025. Questions or comments may be directed to Jerry Stamps, Project Manager, by e-mail at jerry.stamps@des.sc.gov, telephone at (803) 898-0927, or TOLL-FREE at (866) 576-0924. Written comments should be directed to Jerry Stamps at SCDES, 2600 Bull Street, Columbia, SC 29201.