TITLE 7

Conservation

Natural Resources

CHAPTER 75A. Establishment of a State Water Supply Coordinating Council

§ 7501A. Purpose.

A Water Supply Coordinating Council is hereby established to manage, protect, and ensure the adequacy of a clean water supply throughout Delaware.

84 Del. Laws, c. 208, § 1

§ 7502A. Membership.

(a) The Council shall include the following members:

(1) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or the Secretary’s designee.

(2) The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or the Secretary’s designee.

(3) The Director of the Division of Public Health or the Director’s designee.

(4) The Director of the Delaware Geological Survey or the Director’s designee.

(5) The Director of the Water Resources Agency at the University of Delaware or the Director’s designee.

(6) The State Climatologist or State Climatologist’s designee.

(7) The Chair of the Water Infrastructure Advisory Council or the Chair of the Water Infrastructure Advisory Council’s designee.

(8) One representative of the executive branch as appointed by the elected county executive or appointed county administrator of each of the Governments of New Castle County, Kent County, and Sussex County.

(9) A representative of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.

(10) A representative from the Delaware Farm Bureau.

(11) A representative from the Delaware River and Bay Commission.

(12) One representative from a public or private water utility in each county, to be appointed by the Chair.

(13) The Executive Director of the Delaware Nursery and Landscape Association or the Executive Director’s designee.

(b) The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or the Secretary’s designee shall serve as Chair of the Council.

(c) Only 1 representative of an entity or designee of an official named in subsection (a) of this section may serve at a time and must submit written documentation to the Chair from their entity or official authorizing them to act as a representative or designee. No person claiming to be a representative or designee shall be permitted to vote or be counted as a member of a quorum without this authorization. Their authorization shall be considered revoked if a letter to that effect is submitted to the Chair, if a replacement is subsequently authorized, or if they miss more than 2 meetings of the full Council in a row without notice to the Chair.

84 Del. Laws, c. 208, § 1

§ 7503A. Subcommittees.

The Council, by majority vote, may establish subcommittees and appoint or remove members of such subcommittees to address water supply issues and plans that do not require the full participation of the Council. The subcommittees shall report to the Council and any recommended actions shall require the approval of the Council. Permanent subcommittees shall include:

(1) A New Castle County Subcommittee, which shall include the following:

a. The representative of New Castle County government serving on the Council, who shall serve as chair of the subcommittee.

b. A representative of each public and private water utility serving New Castle County.

c. Other members as appointed by the Council.

(2) A Kent County Subcommittee, which shall include the following:

a. The representative of Kent County government serving on the Council, who shall serve as chair of the subcommittee.

b. A representative of each public and private water utility serving Kent County.

c. Other members as appointed by the Council.

(3) A Sussex County Subcommittee, which shall include the following:

a. The representative of Sussex County government, who shall serve as chair of the subcommittee.

b. A representative of each public and private water utility serving Sussex County.

c. Other members as appointed by the Council.

(4) A Drought Advisory Subcommittee, which shall include the following members:

a. The Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control or the Secretary’s designee.

b. The Secretary of the Department of Agriculture or the Secretary’s designee.

c. The Director of the Division of Public Health or the Director’s designee.

d. The Director of the Delaware Geological Survey or the Director’s designee.

e. The Director of the Water Resources Agency at the University of Delaware or the Director’s designee.

f. The State Climatologist or State Climatologist’s designee.

g. Other members as appointed by the Council.

84 Del. Laws, c. 208, § 1

§ 7504A. Administration of the Water Supply Coordinating Council.

(a) The designation of the Water Supply Coordinating Council and the duties and responsibilities conferred by this chapter shall end on January 31, 2033.

(b) The Division of Water in the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control shall provide administrative support to the Water Supply Coordinating Council.

84 Del. Laws, c. 208, § 1