Judge Rules Against Georgia in Tri-State Water Wars

U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson issued his long-awaited decision in the 18-year Georgia-Alabama-Florida water war ruling that Georgia can no longer withdraw water from Lake Lanier.  The decision finds that Georgia’s current withdrawal of water for Atlanta’s water resource violates the intended purpose of Lake Lanier – hydropower and flood control.  The ruling invalidates a 2003 settlement agreement that allocated 25% of Lake Lanier for Atlanta’s drinking water.   Judge Magnuson allows the three states three years to reach an agreement or congressional action.   Hereis a pdf of the Judge’s ruling.

Creative Loafing outlines local and regional reaction. 

Georgia’s entire congressional delegation will meet Tuesday.

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Attorney General Exempts State Agencies From Municipal Storm Water Regulations

Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker, who is running for Governor in 2010, issued an opinion that state agencies – particularly the Department of Transportation – do not have to comply with city and county storm water runn-off regulations.

Here is a copy of the Attorney General’s opinion.

The opinion troubles environmentalists and led the Athens Banner-Herald to call for some limits on the state.