Governors to Join Savannah River Basin Summit Tomorrow

The inaugural Joint State Savannah River Basin Caucus Summit is scheduled for Wednesday at Big Oaks Recreation Center, 5625 Anderson Highway, Hartwell.  Governor Nathan Deal of Georgia and Governor Nikki Haley of South Carolina have agreed to attend this historic occasion.  The Lieutenant Governors of both states will also be in attendance.  

The event is hosted by Georgia Governor Nathan Deal and Representative Alan Powell of the Georgia General Assembly with the assistance of South Carolina Representative Don Bowen of Anderson County and the South Carolina Caucus.

Drawn together by the commonality of water issues throughout the Savannah River Basin region, the Savannah River Basin Caucus is comprised of legislators from both Georgia and South Carolina Assemblies whose districts touch the Savannah River Basin. The South Carolina General Assembly hosted the Georgia General Assembly members this past Spring at the South Carolina State House.

Another highlight of the September 18^th Summit will be the signing of the $1,000,000 Savannah River Comprehensive Study. Colonel Tickner, the new Colonel of the Savannah District of the United States Army Corps of Engineers will officially sign the Study. 

Organizers hope to obtain a productive dialogue between both states’ General Assemblies and the new Colonel.  Both Georgia DNR and South Carolina DNR Directors will also participate in the signing of the agreement.  Also in attendance will be rangers that work the Basin. Local Chambers of Commerce, county officials and economic experts representing any of the respective Senators and Representatives are invited to speak from their areas of expertise. 

There will be a closed meeting of members of the Caucus from 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M.  The Governors will speak during the ceremony, which begins at 11:00 A.M. and is open to the public.