(a)Establishment.--There is established within the department the Statewide Water Resources Committee. The purpose of the committee is to coordinate the development of the State water plan, recommend policies and guidelines for and oversee the development of the State water plan and, in continuing consultation and collaboration with the regional committees and the department and with the full opportunity for public review and comment, approve and recommend to the secretary approval and adoption of the State water plan. The Statewide committee shall be subject to the provisions applicable generally to boards and commissions identified in section 203 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929.
(b)Membership.--
(1)The Statewide committee shall
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(a) Establishment.--There is established within the department the Statewide Water Resources Committee. The purpose of the committee is to coordinate the development of the State water plan, recommend policies and guidelines for and oversee the development of the State water plan and, in continuing consultation and collaboration with the regional committees and the department and with the full opportunity for public review and comment, approve and recommend to the secretary approval and adoption of the State water plan. The Statewide committee shall be subject to the provisions applicable generally to boards and commissions identified in section 203 of the act of April 9, 1929 (P.L.177, No.175), known as The Administrative Code of 1929.
(b) Membership.--
(1) The Statewide committee shall be composed of members selected as set forth in this subsection.
(2) Eighteen members shall be appointed as follows:
(i) Six members shall be representatives of the regional committees, appointed as provided in this paragraph. The Majority Leader of the Senate and Majority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint two members from among the members of the regional committees. The Minority Leader of the Senate and the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives shall each appoint one member from among the members of the regional committees. Each regional committee shall nominate from among their members individuals to be considered for appointment under this paragraph, and no more than one member from each regional committee shall be appointed under this paragraph.
(ii) The Governor shall appoint six members representing a cross section of water user interests, including agriculture, conservation districts, industrial and commercial enterprises, mining, energy development and production and public water supply. The Governor shall seek suggestions and recommendations for Statewide committee membership from representative organizations.
(iii) The Governor shall appoint six members representing local government, environmental and conservation interests and professions relating to water resources management. The Governor shall seek suggestions and recommendations for Statewide committee membership from representative organizations.
(3) The Secretary of Environmental Protection, Secretary of Agriculture, Secretary of Conservation and Natural Resources, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Chairman of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission and Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency or their designees shall be ex officio voting members of the Statewide committee. The Secretary of Community and Economic Development and the Executive Director of the Governor's Center for Local Government Services or their designees and a representative of each Compact Basin Commission shall be invited to serve as ex officio nonvoting members of the Statewide committee.
(4) Members shall be appointed no later than 180 days after the effective date of this chapter.
(5) A member shall be appointed for a term of four years. Of the initial members appointed by the Governor:
(i) Six members shall serve initial terms of two years.
(ii) Six members shall serve initial terms of four years.
(iii) After such initial terms, individuals appointed by the Governor shall serve for a term of four years.
(6) Members must, as a result of educational background, training or experience, have an understanding of water resources planning and management issues.
(7) The chairperson of the Statewide committee shall be elected by a majority vote of the full membership of the committee.
(8) Vacancies shall be filled for the remainder of an unexpired term in the same manner as original appointments. A member, upon expiration of the term, shall continue to hold office until a successor is appointed.
(9) A majority of the membership of the Statewide committee shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. Action may be taken on a matter before the committee by a majority vote of the full membership of the committee.
(10) Members of the Statewide committee shall serve without compensation but may be reimbursed from funds appropriated for such purposes for necessary and reasonable travel and other expenses incurred during the performance of their duties.
(c) Powers and duties.--The Statewide committee shall:
(1) Recommend to the secretary the approval and adoption of the State water plan, including regional plan components, following consultation with the regional committees, the department, Compact Basin Commission and other appropriate agencies and after the public comment and hearing process specified in section 3115(b) (relating to development, adoption, amendment and periodic review of State water plan).
(2) Assist the department, in cooperation with regional committees, with the development of a public participation process to encourage the input from persons interested in water resources issues throughout the process of developing and formulating regional plan components and the State water plan.
(3) Recommend approval by the secretary of policies and guidelines for the preparation and development of regional plans and the State water plan in order to assure consistency in the methods used to carry out the assessments and inventories required under section 3112 (relating to plan contents).
(4) Review and comment upon regulations and policies proposed by the department under this chapter. In furtherance of this responsibility, the Statewide committee shall be given a reasonable opportunity to review and comment on regulations promulgated under this chapter affecting water resources prior to the submission to the Environmental Quality Board for both initial and final consideration. The written report of the Statewide committee shall be presented to the Environmental Quality Board with any regulatory proposal under this chapter. The chairperson of the Statewide committee shall be invited to participate in the presentation of all regulations promulgated under this chapter affecting water resources before the Environmental Quality Board.
(5) Carry out the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Statewide committee under this chapter or other applicable statutes.