SC SRBAC Vision & Principles

Photo: Savannah Harbor by Tom Priddy

Vision:

The SC SRBAC shall strive for the development and improvement of a comprehensive state wide water planning program where:

· Water resource planning within SC and with Georgia is specifically tailored for the Savannah River Basin using SC SRBAC inputs.

· The SC SRBAC is recognized by state agencies as a source of stakeholders’ needs, concerns and recommendations.

· Resource assessments, estimates of current and future water needs and gap assessments are based on the needs and wants of the basin stakeholders.

· Management and operational decisions in both normal and extreme conditions are based on providing full consideration of environmental, quality of life, and economic effects throughout the entire Basin.

· Management and Operational processes developed and implemented by the SC SRBAC may be used as guidelines for all other South Carolina Basin Advisory Councils as they are formed.

Guiding Principles:

(1) Effective water resources management protects public health and the safety and welfare of South Carolina’s citizens;

(2) Water resources are to be managed in a sustainable manner so that current and future generations have access to adequate supplies of quality water that support both human needs and natural systems;

(3) All citizens have a stewardship responsibility to conserve and protect the water resources of South Carolina;

(4) Water resources management efforts must have a sound scientific foundation and 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 data base must be developed to provide sound scientific and economic information upon which effective water resources management decisions can be based;

(7) 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.