North Carolina Construction News staff writer
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster has issued Executive Order 2024-22, establishing the WaterSC Water Resources Working Group (WaterSC).
The group will work across state agencies and with key stakeholders to develop a plan to balance South Carolina’s economic and environmental interests and ensure long-term protection of water resources.
“South Carolina has been richly blessed with abundant water resources, but with increased demand driven by historic economic development and a booming population, we must take action now to ensure these resources are managed in the best interests of all South Carolinians,” McMaster said. “The formation of WaterSC will unite South Carolina’s top minds and key stakeholders to craft a plan that balances our economic and environmental interests, which will ensure that our water resources are plentiful and that our economy remains strong for generations to come.”
WaterSC will create a Stakeholder Engagement Plan by Oct. 31, to ensure stakeholders are included and then create a report to the General Assembly’s Surface Water Study Committee by Jan. 31, 2025.
SCDES Interim Director Myra Reece will lead WaterSC. The working group will be composed of ex officio participants from across the following state agencies:
- Director of the Office of Resilience, or designee;
- Commissioner of Agriculture, or designee;
- Director of the Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism, or designee;
- Director of the Department of Natural Resources, or designee
- Secretary of Commerce, or designee
In addition, DES will select up to 25 additional participants representing sectors such as academia, public water suppliers, conservation, agriculture, forestry, energy, tourism, and historic preservation.
“Sustainable management and use of our state’s water resources is beyond the scope of any one agency or organization, rather it is a shared role and responsibility among leaders, partners and experts across our state,” Reece said. “As the state’s new environmental agency, we at the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services are honored and excited to lead this collaborative effort to preserve, sustain, and manage our state’s water resources for present and future use.”
