Scientific and engineering advisory panel

The purpose of the Scientific and Engineering Advisory Panel is to advise the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) on scientific matters associated with the resource assessment components of the State Water Plan. Regional water planning starts with a scientific assessment of the capabilities of Georgia’s rivers, lakes and aquifers. The Scientific and Engineering Advisory Panel ’s role is to ensure that the scientific basis of the resource assessments is sound and will yield credible results. As specified on page 14 of the State Water Plan, the panel is a “technical advisory group with expertise in disciplines such as hydrology, biology, engineering, and other fields."

The Scientific and Engineering Advisory Panel will focus specifically on the resource assessment methods.  Advice from the panel will help EPD improve and validate the resource assessment methods. The panel will not be asked to provide advice on forecasts of water use nor will it address questions specific to any water use sector. Input from professionals with water-related experience and other stakeholders on those questions has been, and will be, solicited through other channels such as the ad hoc groups assisting with the various forecasts.

The full package of information on the resource assessments - methods, supporting factors, and results - will be subject to public notice, review and comment. At that time, all water-related interests will have an opportunity to provide input on the full package. Experts such as water management professionals, including those from different water use sectors will be asked to review the resource assessments during this comment period.

Members of the Scientific and Engineering Advisory Panel were selected by EPD for their expertise in hydrologic, biologic, and engineering science. The members of the panel are:

David Allan, University of Michigan

Bruce Beck, University of Georgia

Mary Freeman, U.S. Geological Survey

Aris Georgakakos, Georgia Institute of Technology

Wendy D. Graham, University of Florida

Jim Greenfield U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 4

Todd Rasmussen, University of Georgia

Kenneth H. Reckhow, Duke University

Brian Richter, The Nature Conservancy

Seth Rose, Georgia State University

Amy Rosemond, University of Georgia

Press Release

Panel member's bio sketches

October 5 and 6, 2009 Scientific and Engineering Advisory Pannel Workshop Summary