Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 3, March 22, 2024
A. The South Carolina Department of Natural
Resources, in cooperation with the South Carolina Department of Health and
Environmental Control, shall prepare and distribute a model drought response
ordinance or ordinances within six months of approval by the General Assembly
of these regulations. The model ordinance will be distributed to all entities
which must develop ordinances and plans in accordance with B. below.
B. Municipalities, counties, public service
districts, and commissions of public works engaged in the business or activity
of supplying water for any purpose shall develop and implement local drought
response ordinances, or local drought response plans when authority to enact
ordinances does not exist.
(1) In so far as
possible and practical, local governments will be responsible for alleviating
the impacts of drought (See R.121-11.6B).
Cooperation among adjacent water suppliers is encouraged to develop alternate
water supply sources and back-up systems and to develop compatible plans and
ordinances.
(2) Local drought
response ordinances and plans shall be consistent with these regulations and
shall contain at a minimum the following information:
(a) A description of alternate supply
sources, including time, costs, and problems associated with putting alternate
sources on-line.
(b) A water use
reduction plan and schedule for moderate, severe, and extreme drought for each
category, as appropriate, in R.121-11.10.
(c) An implementation plan and ordinance, as
appropriate.
(3)
Proposed ordinances and plans must be submitted to the South Carolina
Department of Natural Resources for consistency review within twelve months of
the effective date of these regulations.
(4) Proposed local drought response
ordinances and plans must be adopted within eighteen months of the effective
date of these regulations.
(5)
Water suppliers as specified in B. above, commencing the business or activity
of supplying water, after the effective date of these regulations, shall submit
a local drought response ordinance or plan to the South Carolina Department of
Natural Resources within six months of the commencement of the business or
activity and shall adopt the ordinance or plan within twelve months of the
commencement of the business or activity.
