Georgia Water/Statewide Plan/Tasks

Water Resources
Planning and Management
in Georgia

1. Water Policy
2. Management
3. Information
4. Planning
5. Statewide Plan
6. Regional Plans
7. References

Note: The draft Table of Contents for the Statewide Water Plan was written by the Georgia Water Resources Council and submitted to Governor Sonny Perdue on January 6, 2004.[1] The tasks needed to complete this outline are listed below with a brief status summary for each task.

STATE COMPONENTS OF STATE WATER PLAN

Mission & Vision

The following vision statement (taken from report of the Georgia Joint Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee) was accepted by the Georgia Water Council at June 7, 2005, meeting.

“Georgia manages water resources in a sustainable manner to support the state’s economy, to protect public health and natural systems, and to enhance the quality of life for all citizens.” (Status = done)

Goals & Objectives

The statement of goals and objectives was accepted by the Georgia Water Council at June 7, 2005, meeting. (Status = done)

Introduction

• legislative charge to develop a State Water Plan ...(Status = done)

See: Georgia Water/Laws/Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Planning Act

• description of need for a State Water Plan, leading to the legislation (Status = draft)

See: "Why Georgia Needs a Comprehensive Water Plan" presentation by Jim Kundell at the June 7, 2005, meeting of the Georgia Water Council

• brief general description of water conditions and problems (details left for regional plans) (Status = draft)

See: "Why Georgia Needs a Comprehensive Water Plan"

Planning Process

This section of the Plan would describe the planning process.

See: "Planning Process" presentation by Carol Couch to Georgia Water Council on June 7, 2005.

1. Organizational structure (defined by Legislature) (Status = done)

• lead agency
• interagency coordination responsibilities (Status)
• roles of department Boards
• role of the Water Resources Council
• role of the Legislature in approving/adopting the Plan

1. Description of the major tasks required to complete the Plan. (Status)
2. Schedule for completion of each of the major components of the Plan. (Status)
3. Schedule for revision and updating of the plan.
4. Description of a required public involvement process associated with development of the components of the Plan. (Status)
5. Description of the planning regions. (Status = draft)
6. Description of how existing and in-progress regional plans will be integrated into the state plan. (Status)

Guiding Principles & Policy Framework

General Guiding Principles

Status-- No specific tasks to implement these general principles have been identified by the Georgia Water Council.

The Council believes the following principles (from the work of the JCWPSC) should guide the development of the State Water Plan:

1. Effective water resources management protects health and the safety and welfare of Georgia’s citizens;
2. Water resources are managed in a sustainable manner so that current and future generations have access to adequate supplies of quality water that supports both human and natural systems;
3. All citizens have a stewardship responsibility to conserve and protect the water resources of Georgia;
4. Water management efforts recognize that economic prosperity and environmental quality are interdependent;
5. Water quality and quantity and surface and ground water are interrelated and require integrated planning as well as reasonable and efficient use;
6. A comprehensive and accessible database must be developed to provide sound scientific and economic information upon which effective water management decisions can be based;
7. Water resources management encourages local/regional innovation, implementation, adaptability, and responsibility for watershed and river basin management;
8. Sound water resources management involves meaningful participation, coordination, and cooperation among interested and affected stakeholders and citizens, as well as all levels of governmental and other entities managing or utilizing water
9. Periodic revisions of the comprehensive statewide water management plan may be required to accommodate new scientific and policy insights as well as changing social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors.

Current Statutory, Regulatory, and Water Management Policy Framework

The Law Department would be enlisted to provide a description of Georgia’s current water quality and water quantity management statutory framework. A description of Georgia’s water quantity management statutory framework – produced by the Law Department - has already been completed for other purposes, and may require editing for inclusion in a State Water Plan. Additionally advice and guidance should be sought from the governor’s legal counsel. As the State agency with principal water management regulatory responsibilities, EPD would be assigned the task of describing the current regulatory requirements related to the statutory framework completed by the Law Department. Before completing this section, EPD would seek input from other State government entities having water management responsibilities under Georgia law.

Guidance on Water Public Policy Issues

Status-- No task has been initiated.

(Statewide Water Resources Management Plan for Georgia:Comments#Sub-state Guidance on Policy Issues)

Planning Standards

Status-- No task has been initiated.

(Statewide Water Resources Management Plan for Georgia)

Executive Summary of Sub-State Components of State Water Plan

This section of the “State Components” of the Plan would provide an executive summary of each of the sub-state components of the State Plan. Such a summary will not be possible for many of the sub-state components until some time after completion of the “State Components”; however as the State Plan must be a ‘living’ document, these substate executive summaries can/should be added whenever the sub-state plans have been completed.

This summary might also generally address itself to an appropriate subset – or all - of the 42 issues the JWSC identified during the conduct of its work. Status-- A subset of the 42 issues has been identified. Technical Advisory Committees are being set up to address some of these issues.

(Statewide Water Resources Management Plan for Georgia)

Water Quantity Management

State Overview

• Highlights
• Planning Area Boundary Issues

Water Quantity Management Summary by Planning Area

• Water Quantity Management to Meet Present and Anticipated In-Stream Needs
• Water Quantity Management to Meet Present and Anticipated Off-Stream Needs
• Description of Items Requiring Further Attention and Research

Water Quality Management

Mandates list

Water Quality Management to Meet State Water Policy Objectives Not Mandated by Statute and/or Rules