Georgia's Comprehensive State Water Plan: The Reasons and Procedures for Developing the Plan

Hydrologically, Georgia is a complex state. In addition, growth patterns are increasing water demands in areas which are already experiencing water shortages. Recent droughts have underscored water management concerns. To effectively address the water challenges facing the state, Georgia has undertaken development of a comprehensive state water management plan. The process adopted included a 15 month legislative study committee effort to explore the issues and to determine how a plan should be developed. Some 42 water-related issues were considered by the study committee, including water rights, interbasin transfers, agricultural water monitoring and reporting, and protecting water quality. Legislation introduced following the study committee's effort lead to heated debate during the 2003 session of the General Assembly, primarily over water rights, but the water planning legislation did not pass. Legislation was then enacted in 2004 directing the Environmental Protection Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources to develop a plan by July 2007. The first iteration of the plan focuses on state policy issues. The draft plan is to be reviewed by the Georgia Water Council composed of key legislators, legislative appointees, and the heads of state agencies with water related responsibilities. It will then be considered by the Georgia General Assembly during the 2008 legislative session. Although regional planning has been undertaken in three areas currently facing water problems, the next step in the planning process is expected to focus on regional planning statewide.