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.