#06–247 September 18, 2006                           

Drought Response Committee to meet Sept 20 in Columbia

The S.C. Department of Natural Resources is convening state agency representatives from the Drought Response Committee and representatives from the West (Savannah) Drought Response Committee at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 20 in Room 335 (board room) of the Rembert C. Dennis Building, 1000 Assembly St. in Columbia.

The purpose of the meeting will be to discuss the deterioration of drought conditions in the Savannah Basin. The state agency representatives of the drought response committee declared an incipient drought on Aug. 16. Recent rains have not improved the hydrologic conditions in the basin. The U.S Army Corps of Engineers has upgraded the drought status to the second stage of drought. The rainfall forecasted for this week is not expected to provide any significant relief.
           
A vote will be taken on whether to upgrade the state’s drought status to moderate, which will require a quorum. Public notification will be made of a postponement.

For more information about drought, visit the Office of State Climatology Web site at http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/ or contact State Climatologist Hope Mizzell at (803) 734-9100 in Columbia.        
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