NOTICE OF 30-DAY PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD American Color & Chemical Corporation / Venture Chemicals, Inc. (Trask and Tulley Tracts) Property Beaufort County, South Carolina The South Carolina Department of Environmental Services (SCDES) is accepting public comments on a proposed Voluntary Cleanup Contract through September 30, 2025. The Voluntary Cleanup Contract, 25-4717-NRP, will affect approximately 117 acres located at 20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 John Meeks Way, and 80 and 94 Keans Neck Road, Lobeco, South Carolina. The site is further identified by Beaufort County Tax Map Serial Numbers R700-037-000-0186-0000 (5.0 Acres, Tract 1A), R700-037-000-0181-0000 (24.95 acres, Tract 2), R700-037-000-0182-0000 (24.17 acres, Tract 3), R700-037-000-0183-000 (23.32 acres, Tract 4), R700-037-000-0185-0000 (17.22 acres, Tract 5), and R700-037-000-0184-0000 (22.47 acres, Tract 6). The Beaufort County Economic Development Corporation ("BCEDC") wants to acquire the property and intends to redevelop the property for a mixed-use development. The property was previously used for specialty chemical manufacturing between 1966 and 2009. The property currently lies vacant. The past use of the property 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 BCEDC 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 BCEDC responsible for pre-existing pollution in exchange for doing work under the Voluntary Cleanup Contract. Under the proposed contract, BCEDC will test soil and groundwater on the property. If significant contamination is found, BCEDC will be required to take steps to protect human health and the environment. BCEDC did not create the pollution but will control it to keep the property safe for re-use. Under State law, BCEDC 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 September 30, 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.