Georgians will have the opportunity to comment on the September 13, 2007, draft Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Plan at a series of public hearings around the state next week. The final plan will serve as a framework for management of the state’s water resources, and addresses both water quantity and water quality.

The Comprehensive Statewide Water Management Planning Act of 2004 required that the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) develop the plan, and present it to the Water Council by July of this year. The initial draft plan was submitted to the Water Council on June 28, 2007. Following extensive public comment, the revised draft plan was presented to the Water Council on September 13, 2007. The Water Council is a 14-member body consisting of legislators, legislative appointees and state agency heads who have water-related responsibilities. The law requires that the plan be brought before the General Assembly for adoption of a joint resolution ratifying the plan by the first day of the 2008 regular session.

The Water Council will hold 12 public hearings on the September 13, 2007, revision to the draft plan at the following locations on the following dates; all hearings will start at 6:00 p.m.:

October 15

Fort Valley State University
Pettigrew Center
1005 State University Dr.
Fort Valley, GA 31030

Georgia Southern University
Neesmith Lane Building
Plant Drive
Statesboro, GA

Augusta Technical College
Information Technology Center
3200 Augusta Tech Drive
Augusta, GA 30906

October 16

Gainesville State College
Continuing Ed. Auditorium
Continuing Ed. Building
3820 Mundy Mill Road
Oakwood, GA 30566

Albany State University
Criminal Justice Building
Room 111
504 College Dr.
Albany, GA 31705

October 17

Armstrong Atlantic State University
Armstrong Center Auditorium
11935 Abercorn Street
Savannah, GA 31419-1997

Okefenokee Technical College
Miller Lecture Hall
1701 Carswell Avenue
Waycross, GA 31503

October 18

The Forum
Berry/Shorter Plan
2 Government Plaza
Rome, GA 30162

University of Georgia – Athens
Georgia Center for Continuing Education-Masters Hall
1197 South Lumpkin Street
Athens, GA 30602-3603

October 19

Valdosta-Lowndes County Conference Center & Tourism Authority
Conference Room A
One Meeting Place
Valdosta, GA 31601

Columbus State University
Elizabeth Bradley Turner Center Auditorium
Corner of East Lindsey Drive & College Dr.
Columbus, GA 31907

Atlanta Technical College
Cleveland L. Dennard Building Ballroom
1560 Metropolitan Parkway, SW
Atlanta, GA 30310

The draft plan can be viewed at http://www.georgiawatercouncil.org/. Written comments are welcomed, but should be received by close of business October 30, 2007. Written comments may be e-mailed to Arnettia_Murphy@dnr.state.ga.us or sent via regular mail addressed to: The Water Council, 2 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Suite 1170, East Tower, Atlanta, GA 30334.

Source: Georgia EPD