The Local Comprehensive Water Supply Management Plan Development Process: A Review of Bulloch, Liberty and McIntosh Counties

Abstract

The Georgia EnvironmentalProtection Division (EPD) requires 24 counties in Southeast Georgia to develop comprehensive water supply management plans by January l, 2001, that address past, present, and future water demand, water supply options, and wastewater treatment. This plan requirement is part of a regional effort to stop salt water intrusion in certain portions of the Upper Floridan Aquifer and reduce withdrawals from this threatened groundwater source. The Coastal Georgia Regional Development Center is assisting Bulloch, Liberty, and Mcintosh Counties with the preparation of these plans. Emphasis is placed on including significant public participation in the plan development process, as well as outlining the steps of the process to ensure that each required element of the plan is addressed and the plan is completed in a timely manner. The Board of Commissioners in each of these counties appointed an advisoiy committee and technical committee comprising diverse community interests to guide the preparation of the plan, and three public meetings during the course of the plan development process are scheduled in each of these counties.