Ray Henry of The Associated Press reports the feud over sharing Georgia’s water between Alabama, Florida and the great state of Georgia has not yet been settled.
Now the federal government is involved. [Insert muttering here.]
An early version of the 2013 Water Resources Development Act could undermine the court decision that allows Atlanta to use Lake Lanier, for example, as a water reservoir. That previous appellate court decision wisely alleviated a potential crisis for those in Atlanta who drink water or who use it in their daily lives.
Due to the heroic efforts of Republican Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson of Georgia, it is believed an agreement was reached to uphold the court’s findings and not restrict the legal and proper use of Lake Lanier’s water for those of us who reside in the great state of Georgia. Senators from lesser states — notably Alabama and Florida — might continue their quest to restrict the use of our water for our citizens, however. A vote in the Senate might be taken this week.
In a joint statement, Senators Chambliss and Isakson said, “We have always believed that this dispute must be solved at the state level, not in Washington.”
The original plan called for the US Army Corps of Engineers to obtain congressional approval for requests made by municipalities or industries if their combined usage to the approved federal reservoir water storage plans changed by 5% or more.
Water withdrawals from Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona could possibly be affected, should the original plan be approved.
We are grateful for the valiant efforts of Senators Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson.
