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Georgia’s future relies on the sustainable management and protection
of the state’s limited water supplies. The 2004
Comprehensive State-wide Water Management Planning Act mandates
the development of a state-wide water plan that supports a far-reaching
vision for water resource management.
"Georgia manages water resources
in a sustainable manner to support the state’s economy, to protect
public health and natural systems, and to enhance the quality of
life for all citizens" (O.C.G.A. 12-5-522(a)).
Currently, state and
federal statutes form the foundation for Georgia’s
water management programs. The goals of the Comprehensive State-wide Water Management
Planning Act are aligned with the collective goals of other statutes related
to water resource management. Two goals that resonate throughout federal
and state statutes can be summed up as:
- Protect public health and environmental quality; and
- Meet future needs while protecting aquifers, instream uses and
downstream users.
The statewide water planning process presents Georgians the opportunity
to comprehensively evaluate and adjust our statutes, regulations,
and management programs to achieve sustainable management of our
water resources. An opportunity of this nature
has not presented itself since water management programs first began to take
shape more than thirty years ago.
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