Here is an article from UGA Extension SE District Water Educator, David Hall:
Georgia soon to hear verdict on water wars from the U.S. Supreme Court
Whether you are a farmer or not, the verdict from the United States Supreme Court coming up by the end of this month will be very interesting. Alabama, Georgia and Florida have been battling over water flowing from Georgia for almost thirty years. I must give credit to Mr. Calvin Perry, who is the Superintendent at the C. M. Stripling Irrigation Research Park in Camilla, for bringing an article from the Atlanta Journal Constitution to my attention. The link to the article is below:
A quote from the article best describes the possible outcomes.
“An opinion must come before the end of the month.
Local observers are generally expecting one of three outcomes from the court:
- Accept Lancaster’s recommendation. That would be a clear-cut win for Georgia since that would dismiss Florida’s case.
- Rule in Florida’s favor. Justices could do that by setting a cap on Georgia’s water consumption or laying out other parameters apportioning the water in the ACF.
- Send the case back to Lancaster. Justices could direct the special master to re-examine the case in order to answer different questions or flesh out his previous recommendation using a different legal lens.”
Capping or limiting water use for Georgia farmers would be detrimental to their lively hood and also to our State’s economy. Hopefully, the verdict will be again in Georgia’s favor and end this battle. In my humble opinion though, after almost thirty years of feuding, I seriously doubt this will be the end.
David Hall
Water Educator/Program Assistant
UGA Extension I Bleckley County I Southeast District
165 East Peacock Street I Cochran, GA 31014
Office (478)934-3220 I Cell (478)697-5362
david.hall1@uga.edu I extension.uga.edu