CHAPTER 25 - OFFICE OF STATE CLIMATOLOGY - South Carolina Statutes

Title 49 - Waters, Water Resources and Drainage

CHAPTER 25.

OFFICE OF STATE CLIMATOLOGY

SECTION 49-25-10. Creation of South Carolina State Climatology Office.

There is created within the Department of Natural Resources the South Carolina State Climatology Office.

SECTION 49-25-20. Appointment of state climatologist.

The director shall appoint the state climatologist who shall serve as director of the office.

SECTION 49-25-30. Powers and duties of office.

The office has the following powers and duties:

1. to serve as a climatological focal point for state government and its agencies;

2. to provide climatological support to the department and other state agencies as required, including collection and analysis of climatic data, such as drought, flood, rainfall, storms, and other climatic information that affect water management in South Carolina;

3. to acquire, archive, process, and disseminate all climatic and weather information which is or may be of value to policy and decision makers in the State;

4. to act as the representative of the State in all climatological and meteorological matters within and outside the State;

5. to prepare, publish, and disseminate regular climatic information for those individuals, agencies, and organizations whose activities are related to the welfare of the State and are affected by climate and weather, and to serve as a source of climatic information for the citizens of South Carolina;

6. to conduct and report on studies of climate and weather phenomena of significant socioeconomic importance to the State;

7. to evaluate the significance of natural, man-made, deliberate, and inadvertent changes or modifications in the climate and weather affecting the State, and to report this information to those agencies and organizations in the State which are likely to be affected by the changes or modifications.

SECTION 49-25-40. Certification of copies as authentic reproductions of weather records; presentation of annual report.

The state climatologist may certify copies as being authentic reproductions of weather records held in the State and shall present a report each year to the board of the Department of Natural Resources concerning the activities of the climatic program and other information which the board may consider necessary.