Regional Water Councils and Implementation Actions June 17, 2008

4/22/08 Page 2 Agenda Regional Water Planning Councils Implementation Actions

Regional Water Planning Councils

4/22/08 Page 4 Regional Water Planning Policy Characteristics vary significantly in differing regions across Georgia Protecting water resources to meet needs will require: –regional, resource-based plans –that identify the management practices –appropriate to the resources and users in each region

4/22/08 Page 5 Regional Water Planning Actions Delineation of Water Planning Regions Assessments Designations of Councils Rules and Guidance Regional Water Development and Conservation Plans Art by: Brittany Thomas Georgia Winner 2005 River of Words

4/22/08 Page 6 Major Regional Planning Responsibilities State Responsibilities Promulgate planning rules Provide planning guidance & technical assistance Contract for professional services that support regional planning Review & approve plans Regional WPC Responsibilities Oversee development of water development & conservation plans (WDCP) –Regional water needs forecasts –Selection of mix of management practices Adopt plan for submission to EPD Periodic revisions to plan

4/22/08 Page 7 Planning Council Formation Finalize geographic boundaries Develop member qualifications Call for nominations Pre-qualification process Appointments by Governor, Lt. Governor, Speaker Art by: Grace Wilhiotel 2007 River of Words

4/22/08 Page 8 Geographic Reassignment April 4, 2008 letter Petitions due June 16, 2008 Justification factors –Current and future water source(s) –Current and future discharge location(s) –Split of long-standing water-related partnership –Documentation of consultation with other local governments Considerations –Geographic continuity of water planning regions –Consistency with hydrologic boundaries –Boundaries of other sub-state regions

4/22/08 Page 9 Water Planning Regions 25 Member Regional Water Planning Councils for each Water Planning Region Gov., Lt. Gov., and Speaker to select Council members MNGWPD boundaries set by state law

4/22/08 Page 10 Council Nominees Collected by: –Environmental Protection Division –Department of Agriculture –Department of Community Affairs –Department of Economic Development State agencies will identify desired qualifications and experience Nominees from business, agriculture, forestry, local government, educational, environmental, and other groups Art by: Andrew Henderson 2007 River of Words

4/22/08 Page 11 Appointments Appointments to each Council: –Governor: 13 members, 1 alternate –Lt. Governor: 6 members, 1 alternate, 1 non- voting ex officio member from the Senate –Speaker: 6 members, 1 alternate, 1 non-voting ex officio member from the House 4 shall be mayors or city council members 4 shall be elected officials of a county governing authority

4/22/08 Page 12 Council/EPD Memorandum of Agreement Decision-making procedures Provision of public sector involvement Provision for an advisory body of local elected officials for input Specifications for other advisory bodies, including meaningful public participation Provision for consultation with local governments located outside the boundary Procedures for coordination with DCA to ensure coordination with regional and local planning

4/22/08 Page 13 Rules and Guidance Procedures for forecasting Minimum requirements for public participation Criteria for review of plans Procedures and criteria for future review and revision Procedures for providing state water plan funds to contractors to assist in plan development Art by: Roxanne Addison 2007 River of Words

4/22/08 Page 14 Plan elements (1 of 2) Local governments, areas at the periphery Major water users Water sources and their conditions Forecasts Comparisons of forecasts with assessments Recommendations for appropriate management practices Art by: Heather Rutt 2007 River of Words

4/22/08 Page 15 Plan elements (2 of 2) State Energy Strategy consideration Proposals for addressing data and information needs Benchmarks for assessment of plan effectiveness State actions Other Art by: Chieh Yin 2007 River of Words

Implementation Actions

4/22/08 Page State Water Plan Implementation 2009 State Fiscal Years Resource Assessments Regional Planning Water Development and Conservation Plans

4/22/08 Page Phased Implementation of Water Plan State Fiscal Years Water Resource Assessments Regional Planning Regional Planning Water Resources Assessments Regional Planning

4/22/08 Page 19 Water Resource Assessments What are the capacities of our water resources? Resource Assessments

4/22/08 Page Water Resource Assessments 2009 Capacity Analyses State Fiscal Years Data and Standards Status and Condition Assessments Surface water quality Surface water quantity Groundwater Data management Dissolved oxygen standards Fecal coliform standard Surface water quality Surface water quantity Groundwater

4/22/08 Page 21 Regional Planning What are our needs? What best practices do we want to employ to close the gap between capacities and needs? Regional Planning Water Development and Conservation Plans

4/22/08 Page Regional Planning 2009 Regional Plan Development State Fiscal Years Planning Guidance Economic/Population Forecasts Form Regional Councils Population Employment Water /wastewater Planning Guidance Management Practices Water Development and Conservation Plan Development Plan review and approval

4/22/08 Page Summary Schedule 2009 Regional Plan Development Capacity Analyses State Fiscal Years Data and Standards Status and Condition Assessments Planning Guidance Economic/Population Forecasts Form Regional Councils

4/22/08 Page 24 Key Near-term Activities Water Resource Assessments Data management Status and condition field measurements Guidance Document preparation Forecasting Regional Water Planning Council formation

4/22/08 Page 25 How can I get involved? Water Planning Council member Technical advisory groups (ad hoc) –Various technical topics (monitoring plan, aquifer storage and recovery are examples) Review of documents –Will be posted on web Plan review

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