Perdue has 3 step approach for metro Atlanta’s water needs

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – Georgia has a 3 step approach to make sure metro Atlanta will have the water it needs for the future.

That's what Governor Sonny Perdue said today after briefing more than 100 of the state's top politicians, business leaders and urban planners.

Last week, a federal judge ruled the state has been illegally taking water from Lake Lanier and has three years to work out a deal with Alabama and Florida.

After the meeting at the Governor's mansion, the first step Perdue talked about was appealing the judge's ruling.

PERDUE: “We think there are some rulings there within the judge's decision that are susceptible I would even say vulnerable to an appeal.”

Perdue did not specify Georgia's legal grounds for appeal. But there is concern about how the judge calculated water allocations. Appeals aren't quick and the three states are under a 3 year deadline. That's why Perdue says step two is urging Congress to revisit the law that established Buford Dam, Lake Lanier and the water's purpose. For example, the Governor said one of the original purposes, navigation, is outdated.

PERDUE: “The fact is we have had essentially no navigational needs in the Chattahoochee river basin in years and yet that's a stated sacrosanct purpose in the authorized version there.”

Thirdly, Georgia will create a contingency plan for water supply for metro Atlanta in case there's no deal or no new law in 3 years.

If that happens, metro Atlanta will be directly affected. But Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin is not worried.

FRANKLIN: “I am very comfortable that the Governor is taking this seriously and is putting together a plan that will represent all of Georgia.”

Sam Olens chairs the Cobb County Commission and the Atlanta Regional Commission; the metro area's lead planning agency. Olens, a lawyer himself, admits the ruling does not put Georgia in the best negotiating position.

OLENS: “While the ruling was disappointing last Friday, we need to do what's best for the residents of all of our states.”

As for Georgia, Perdue has tapped Georgia Power President Mike Garrett to lead the state's 3 step approach.