There is hereby established the South Carolina Aquatic Plant Management Council, hereinafter referred to as the council, which shall be composed of ten members as follows:

1. The council shall include one representative from each of the following agencies, to be appointed by the chief executive officer of each agency:

(a) Water Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources;

(b) South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(c) Wildlife and Freshwater Fish Division of the Department of Natural Resources;

(d) South Carolina Department of Agriculture;

(e) Coastal Division of the Department of Health and Environmental Control;

(f) South Carolina Public Service Authority;

(g) Land Resources and Conservation Districts Division of the Department of Natural Resources;

(h) South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism;

(i) Clemson University, Department of Fertilizer and Pesticide Control.

2. The council shall include one representative from the Governor’s Office, to be appointed by the Governor.

3. The representative of the Water Resources Division of the Department of Natural Resources shall serve as chairman of the council and shall be a voting member of the council.

The council shall provide interagency coordination and serve as the principal advisory body to the department on all aspects of aquatic plant management and research. The council shall establish management policies, approve all management plans, and advise the department on research priorities.