Braselton Mayor Pat Graham has been named to the water policy council for the Upper Oconee River Basin.

Also named from the region was Hunter Bicknell, chairman of the Jackson County commission.

The appointments were made by Gov. Sonny Perdue, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson.

The Upper Oconee panel is one of ten in the state to represent the water interests to its respective region.

The 25-member panel’s basin covers portions of 13 counties.

It will oversee preparation of regional water development and conservation plans for the region, focusing on water quantity and water quality issues and forecasts of future supply and treatment needs.

“Managing water resources in a sustainable manner is critically important to our state and local economy,” Graham said.