Deadline to apply for Broad River Basin Planning Council slots drawing near

December 10, 2021

COLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources’ (SCDNR) Hydrology Section would like to remind individuals who are interested in serving on the Broad River Basin Council that applications for the available seats on the council are due by the end of 2021.

SCDNR is the state agency overseeing the creation of River Basin Councils (RBCs) for all of South Carolina’s major river basins. This process began in 2019 with the publication of the South Carolina State Water Planning Framework, which describes the process for developing water management plans in each region.

According to SCDNR Hydrology Section Chief Scott Harder, the Planning Framework is currently being applied in the Edisto River basin, and the Broad RBC should begin planning activities in 2022. Eventually, all eight of the state’s major river basins [see graphic] will have an RBC.

At this point though, SCDNR is still looking to fill some key slots on the Broad RBC. An RBC is made up of representatives from eight different interest categories, which include: water and sewer utilities; electric power utilities and reservoir operators; environmental interests and conservation groups; agriculture, forestry and irrigation interests; local governments; at-large water based interests (public); water-based recreational interests; and industrial and economic development interests. Two public meetings were held in early November to kick-off planning activities in the Broad River basin and introduce the planning process to Broad River basin stakeholders, and SCDNR is currently accepting applications to serve on the Broad RBC. Anyone with experience or interests in the above categories are encouraged to apply.

Applications, as well as public meeting presentations and recordings, can be found on the SCDNR Hydrology website at http://hydrology.dnr.sc.gov/broad-basin-planning.html. Questions: contact Scott Harder at (harders@dnr.sc.gov). The application deadline is December 31st, 2021. Submission instructions are included in the application.

"It’s an important task that will guide water management in these basins for years to come, so recruiting knowledgeable and conscientious men and women to serve on the RBC is of utmost importance," said Harder. "These folks will play a key role in managing this resource."

River Basin Plans developed by the RBC in each basin will evaluate both existing water supplies and future demand, and address whether a basin’s water supply can meet that projected future demand. Council members will also be responsible for developing management strategies to ensure future water demands can be met, balancing long-term social, economic, and environmental needs. Read more about the development of the Planning Framework and related planning activities at: http://hydrology.dnr.sc.gov/state-and-river-basin-planning.html.

Media Contacts:
David Lucas
Public Information Coordinatior
(843) 610-0096
LucasD@dnr.sc.gov