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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- The head of South Carolina's public health and environmental protection agency is retiring after 10 years at its helm.

Department of Health and Environmental Control Commissioner Earl Hunter announced Friday that he plans to retire on Feb. 1, 2012.

The 55-year-old Hunter was named commissioner in August 2001. His tenure was the longest in DHEC's history. Hunter has worked for the agency for 31 years.

The Legislature created the agency in 1973 by merging the former State Board of Health and Pollution Control Authority. A seven-member board oversees the agency.

The board plans to search nationwide for Hunter's replacement.

Hunter praised the agency's staff. He said their efforts to follow state and federal laws are beyond what most people can imagine, and the public never realizes most of what's done.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)