The study committee and advisory committee worked to perfect the water vision statement, guiding principles for the water planning process, and water management goals for the state. At its November 9, 2001, meeting in Dawson, the study committee adopted the vision statement, guiding principles, and water management goals with the caveat that it would revisit them near the end of its work to make sure that they were consistent with other decisions made.

Vision Statement

To ensure that the water resources of Georgia are used, managed, and conserved so that economic, environmental, public health, and cultural values can be supported indefinitely, the Georgia Comprehensive State Water Management Plan is developed with a 50-year horizon. The Joint State Water Plan Study Committee proposes the following as its water vision for Georgia:

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.

Guiding Principles for the Comprehensive State Water Management Plan

The study committee proposes the following principles to guide the development of the state water plan:

1. Effective water resources management protects public health, safety and welfare of Georgia's citizens.
2. Water resources are managed in a sustainable manner so that current and future generations have access to adequate supplies of quality water that supports both human needs and natural systems.
3. All citizens have a stewardship responsibility to conserve and protect the water resources of Georgia.
4. Water management efforts recognize that economic prosperity and environmental quality are interdependent.
5. Water quality and quantity and surface and ground water are interrelated and require integrated planning as well as reasonable and efficient use.
6. A comprehensive and accessible database is developed to provide sound scientific and economic information upon which effective water management decisions can be based.
7. Water resource management encourages local/regional innovation, implementation, adaptability, and responsibility for watershed and river basin management.
8. Sound water resources management involves meaningful participation, coordination, and cooperation among interested and affected stakeholders and citizens as well as all levels of governmental and other entities managing and/or utilizing water.
9. Periodic revisions of the plan are required to incorporate new scientific and policy insights as well as changing social, economic, cultural, and environmental factors.

Goals for Georgia's Water Management Programs

1. Georgia invests in interdisciplinary water education for professionals and citizens.
1. Specific efforts are made to inform, educate and train citizens, stakeholders, and leaders about water resources.
2. Education and cooperative action at the regional level are the foundation of comprehensive water planning that responds to the physical conditions and water issues of the specific region.
2. Georgia's water programs manage water resources as an integrated system.
1. A comprehensive approach is used that recognizes the physical realities of water, to include the interrelationship of atmospheric, surface and ground water and water quality and quantity.
2. Watersheds, river basins, and aquifers are used as the geographic and hydrologic basis for water planning and management programs.
3. The interrelationship between land use and water resources is recognized in all water planning and management.
4. Droughts, floods, and other catastrophic events are recognized as occurrences for which contingency policies and procedures are necessary.
3. Georgia's water management programs are designed to protect, maintain, and improve the quality of water resources consistent with federal, state, and local water laws.
1. All Georgians have affordable access to safe, high-quality drinking water.
2. The treatment of wastewater is professionally planned and coordinated on a local/regional basis, using the treatment tools of properly installed, operated, and maintained wastewater treatment systems, including onsite septic systems when necessary.
3. Stormwater is managed to protect water quality and, where feasible, to augment water supplies.
4. Incentives and financial assistance are provided to local governments to effectively collect, treat, reuse, and/or discharge wastewater, recognizing the need for regional cooperation.
5. Water quality protection by all sectors is achieved through using appropriate incentives and regulatory requirements.
6. Adverse impacts of land use activities on water resources are minimized to protect water quality and natural systems.
4. Georgia's water management programs allocate water and encourage efficient water use.
1. The use of water resources is regionally planned and coordinated.
2. Water resources are allocated while protecting other water users and the environment.
3. Public water systems consistently provide adequate amounts of safe, high-quality water to Georgia's citizens.
4. Conservation, efficiency and water reuse are encouraged while considering the impacts of consumptive use and return flows on other water users and the environment.
5. Conservation and efficiency are achieved through using appropriate incentives and regulatory requirements.
6. The practical and economic needs of Georgians are met while maintaining, protecting, and improving the state's natural systems.
5. Georgia's water programs are effectively administered.
1. Meaningful participation including cooperation, coordination, communication, and collaboration among federal, state, and local units of government, other water management entities, interested and affected stakeholders, and citizens is emphasized during all stages of water planning and management.
2. With local involvement, water management programs consider intrastate and/or, when and where appropriate, interstate watershed and river basin options.
3. State and local water management programs are adequately funded and implemented through financially sound programs that focus available resources on priority needs, provide incentives and encourage multijurisdictional approaches.
4. A performance-based system that focuses on outcomes and innovative approaches is established to accurately monitor the effectiveness of water management programs and efforts.
5. Federal and state laws and regulations are implemented and enforced so that public health and natural systems are protected.
6. Georgia's water programs base water management decisions on accurate and reliable information.
1. Data and information needs are identified and monitoring, research, technology partnerships and other efforts funded and implemented to address those needs.
2. Research, planning, standards, and decision making in all water resources programs are supported by water information systems that are broadly accessible, comprehensive, and based on the best available technical and scientific data, information, principles, and management practices.
3. Timely and effective information, education, and involvement strategies for the general public, permittees, advocacy groups and other stakeholders are included as part of the state's water management program.