The search is on for 25 volunteers who share a common interest in shaping the state’s water use plan for the Santee River Basin.

The basin encompasses the Congaree River in Calhoun County; Lake Marion in Orangeburg and Clarendon counties; Lake Moultrie and the Santee and Cooper rivers in Berkeley and Charleston counties; and the waterways that flow into them.

Volunteers from all walks of life are being sought to serve on the Santee River Basin Council, which may involve up to 30 meetings over the next two or three years.

Some knowledge of water issues might be helpful but it isn’t required, because experts will deliver technical presentations.

They will also provide decades of data.

Gov. Henry McMaster took steps Tuesday to jump start plans for protecting South Carolina rivers and groundwater, forming a commission to study how to manage the water supplies that often spark disputes among businesses, farmers, environmentalists and others.

“These statistics can really guide us to a future that is sustainable and respectful of the growth that we need in this state to supply food and the manufactured goods that we need,” said Jason Thompson, a member of the Edisto RBC.

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The eight RBCs statewide are expected to recommend policy, legislative, regulatory, technical, planning, and management strategies intended to ensure that the basin’s surface and groundwater resources will be available for all uses for as long as 50 years into the future, even under drought conditions.

Bamberg County will join an effort to develop flood-risk reduction plans for the Salkehatchie River Basin.

“We live in a water-rich state,” said Scott Harder, head of the hydrology section at the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services.

Keeping it that way is the goal – despite the state’s rapid agricultural, business, industrial, and residential growth.

The river basin reports have no force of law. But they are important because they establish talking points for legislative initiatives and all eight will form the foundation for a third version of the state’s water management plan.

Edisto was the first RBC to be formed, and, three years later, it was the first RBC to complete its report.

Santee is the last RBC to be formed. That was intentional: state officials wanted the Broad and Catawba RBCs to complete their reports first because they are upstream from the Santee basin and would likely influence Santee’s report.

Now the time has come to launch the Santee RBC. State officials will present an overview of the program at two public meetings.

The first meeting is set for Monday, Oct. 7, in West Columbia at the State Farmers Market off U.S. Highway 321-176-21. Use the main entrance, then turn left and follow the signs to the Phillips Market Center at 117 Ballard Court.

The second meeting is set for Thursday, Oct. 10, in North Charleston at Trident Technical College, Thornley Campus, 7000 Rivers Ave., Building 920, Amphitheater (Room 791).

Similar content will be shared at both meetings. Attendees are invited to choose the location or day that is more convenient for them.

Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and will end after about two hours, depending on how many questions the attendees ask the presenters.

Visit des.sc.gov/hydrology for more information about statewide water planning.

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