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CHN’s Scientific Panel Informs Policy in SC

August 2nd, 2010

In December 2008, Center for Humans and Nature staff in South Carolina convened a panel of 35 faculty from nine SC universities with expertise in water issues to discuss the science associated with stream and river flow levels.  At that time there were no regulations in SC on how much water could be removed from a stream or river. Dr. Will Graf — a national figure in river studies (and University of SC chaired professor and department chair) – donated his services to lead the panel and Dr. David Cowen, a GIS expert, was engaged to synthesize the data regarding long-term flows in SC rivers and streams. The panel then prepared a detailed report of alternative scenarios of minimum flow, i.e., if there is “X” flow, there are “Y consequences for the ecology and uses of the river or stream. The CHN report was submitted to the SC Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee for their consideration and education in January 2009.

New legislation passed (June 3, 2010), and the governor signed (June 11), a new Water Withdrawal Act of 2010. The new legislation includes specifications for minimum stream-flow rules that incorporate science and some of the language from the CHN panel’s report.

See http://www.scstatehouse.gov/sess118_2009-2010/bills/452.htm, for the entire new legislation.

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