Comments on: Federal appellate court rules against Georgia on water ruling

By: Carol

Carol — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 13:26:12 +0000

Georgia does not own the water in Lake Lanier. Period. It was created when the feds built the dam. What part of this do you not get?
AL and FL are not asking for re-allocation. GA is. GA is because it needs more water to supply to Metro Atlanta’s ever-expanding population. So, yes, Metro Atlanta’s ever-expanding population is the problem, because that’s who needs the extra water.
Somehow, you think you know better than the appeals court that decided this. Have you even read the argument? I have.
Your argument is incredibly sophomoric. Basically, you’re saying “lake lanier is in GA, so we get the water.” That argument is not even worth responding to.

By: Craig

Craig — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 21:24:09 +0000

Carol,

When the entire metro Atlanta residential usage is less than 4% of the water released from Lanier daily, how can you say that Atlanta’s growth is what’s causing THIS shortage?

The shortage is clearly caused by poor water management. The Corps’ operational manuals haven’t been updated since the dam was built in the 50s. A lot has changed in all THREE states since that time, so to say that we should stick to the original charter is ridiculous.

The situation needs to be re-evaluated based on current data and needs in all 3 states. However, you have a political mess, because everyone wants the water. Our politicians need to get the job done for us, and so far it’s business as usual for them.

Rich has the most logical argument on this post. The majority of the watershed and the entire reservoir is in GA, so logically speaking, GA should have first dibs on this water reservoir, at least a fair share. That’s what should happen when this is all worked out. We’ll have to see what actually happens.

By: alajeff

alajeff — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:25:30 +0000

One idea that has not been brought out is the Alabama and Florida do not “keep” any of the water that flows down from Georgia. All the water just flows into the Gulf of Mexico. Lake Lanier was created to collect the water and send it down the rivers to produce electic power. Electricity is first produced in Georgia, then Alabama and finally Florida. Everybody wins. If there were some states below Florida they would get the water, but since there are none it just flows into the Gulf. All of us seafood lovers benefit from that, in that the northern Florida beaches are some of the richest fishing waters in the world because of the rich flow of minerals coming down from the rivers.

By: GThierry

GThierry — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 16:28:11 +0000

Is it illegal for residents of metro Atlantans to drink water that has been stored in Lake Lanier?

By: Coelacanth6

Coelacanth6 — Sun, 17 Feb 2008 15:08:12 +0000

RichS - Carol’s argument is this: The federal government (COE) built Lake Lanier dam to create a reservoir that was funded and chartered to provide power generation for Georgia, Alabama, and Florida NOT drinking water for any state and that minimum flows are mandated federally to protect the environment. Therefore, per the original charter, Georgia (Atlanta) is not “legally” entitled to utilize Lake Lanier as a drinking water reservoir.

Logic, on the other hand, is on the side of Georgia (the water originates in the state AND the reservoir is located in the state). Georgia probably will be allowed to use some of Lake Lanier’s storage capacity for uses other than power generation but only if agreements can be worked out between all affected parties. Logic aside, this issue will have to be resolved in the courts between parties with competing interests.

Finally, I do hope that we all agree that water is not an infinite resource and that all parties must realize this and strive for wise use and conservation.

By: RichS

RichS — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 19:39:59 +0000

Wow Carol - way to frame an argument. “FL and AL are not asking for more drinking water”. No, they are asking for more water for keeping fish wet, and power plants operating.

Where we disagree Carol is that I believe Georgia has a significant claim to the water. You could say the water is shared by three states so 1/3 of it belongs to Georgia. Or you could say that 80% of the watershed is in Georgia so 80% of it belongs to Georgia. Either of those would have some logical basis.

You think somewhere between 0-13.9% of the water belongs to Georgia. I see no rational basis for that. Neither do I find it rational that you moved here from Alabama and are complaining about population growth. You are as much a part of the problem as anyone. Please move back to your beloved Alabama and quit being a hypocrite.

By: Carol

Carol — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 12:05:38 +0000

Craig,
The facts I quote are from the appeals court decision.
So, RichS and I don’t see eye to eye because I am actually providing facts. You guys just want more and more water that does not legally belong to Georgia.
Sorry, guys, the law is on the side of AL and FL.
Here is what you guys aren’t getting: the REASON that Georgia wants the extra water from Lanier is because METRO ATLANTA is running out of drinking water. So for you to say that growth is not causing the problem is completely fatuous. FL and AL are not asking for more drinking water, GA is! Because METRO ATLANTA needs it for drinking water.
What part of this are you two not getting?
Seems like everyone else (except a few people on this list) gets it.

By: Craig Sears

Craig Sears — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 07:18:17 +0000

RichS and Carol,

I think the problem here is that RichS is using logic to make his points, and Carol is using her burning desire to see Atlanta shrivel up and become an average, unimportant southern city, to cloud her view of this issue.

That’s why you two don’t see eye to eye on this. Just my opinion from reading both of your posts.

I’m sorry Carol, but the facts do not support your claims. We shouldn’t stop growing simply because you don’t like all the growth, or because you believe the growth is causing the water shortage. As documented throughout this website, growth did not get us into this water shortage.

However, I will submit that growth is a KEY issue that needs to be addressed moving forward in our statewide water plan.

But the key issue at play in this drama is political power.

By: SouthSideNative

SouthSideNative — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 22:56:31 +0000

The only way GA’s Congressmen/women will demand action is if they think the water issue may threaten the fountain at the King Center.

By: Carol

Carol — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 17:54:12 +0000

RichS, you don’t seem to have a good grasp of this issue. When rain falls in FL and AL, I don’t believe any of it belongs to GA.
I suppose if a dam were built in FL by the feds and if water flowed upstream :), then maybe GA would be entitled to some of FL’s water. But that scenario is just as ridiculous as your above comments :).