The authority shall be composed of fifteen members who shall be appointed by the Governor. The original members shall be the present commissioners of the Low Country resources, conservation and development project. There shall be two members from each county, except Charleston, which shall have four members; and one member-at-large.

The terms of office shall be for four years, except of those initially appointed, one member from each county, except Charleston, and two from Charleston County shall be appointed for two-year terms, and the member-at-large shall be appointed for a two-year term.

The organizational meeting shall be called by the present chairman of the Low Country resources, conservation and development project as soon as all members have been appointed and qualified. Upon the expiration of any member’s term, or should a vacancy occur, the remaining members, after consultation with the resident members of the county legislative delegation entitled to representation, shall make recommendations for appointment to the Governor.

In Dorchester County, appointments made pursuant to this section are governed by the provisions of Act 512 of 1996.