Ga. senators push water legislation

Lake Allatoona

ATLANTA – Georgia’s two senators have introduced four pieces of legislation they say could lead to a long-term agreement on how Georgia, Florida and Alabama share water and thereby ending a years-long dispute.

“It’s critical that Georgia, Alabama and Florida come to an agreement on water resources that meets the needs of the three states,” U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga., said in a statement.

Among the four pieces of legislation is a proposal to authorize Lake Lanier and Lake Allatoona for use as both a municipal and an industrial source of water. U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson previously ruled that unless Georgia received congressional permission to tap Lake Lanier as a water source for Metro Atlanta, it would need to stop.

“I will continue to work closely with all stakeholders in Georgia toward a resolution of the longstanding dispute between Alabama, Florida and Georgia over water,” Isakson said in a statement. “It is critical that we reach an agreement that is in the best interest of Georgia while at the same time respecting the interests and concerns of Florida and Alabama.”