Cagle: State must fight to keep Ga. water that falls on Ga. soil

GAINESVILLE - Negotiate... legislate... litigate... and conserve. That's the four-pronged approach Lt. Governor Casey Cagle outlined Monday as Georgia continues its battle for water in Lake Lanier.

Cagle spoke to Gainesville Rotarians, telling the group that Georgia cannot afford to sit idly by over the next three years waiting for a federal judge's ruling on Lake Lanier's water to take effect.

Cagle said he believes that the water war with Alabama and Florida has very little to do with the environment, and instead, hinges on the economic impact the water from Lake Lanier affords all three states. He said billions of economic development is at stake if Judge Paul Magnuson's ruling to stop Georgia withdrawals from Lake Lanier stands.

The Lt. Governor said it is imperative that Georgia continue to push for negotiations with the governors of Alabama and Florida. And he wants Georgia to keep communication open with congressional leaders to find a federal legislative solution to distrubution of water from Lanier.

Cagle also emphasized that Georgia needs to maximize benefits of its entire water inventory, and not rely as heavily on Lanier for supply as it has in the past. That would include the building of new reservoirs.

"We lack storage," said Cagle. "We need to identify county and municipal water needs and find the best sites for reservoirs."

In addition, Cagle pointed to the need for an expert legal team as the fight progresses. He noted that Georgia has already indicated it will appeal Magnuson's ruling to restrict water supply from Lanier.

And, finally, Cagle said conservation is a key component to a long-range water plan. He said it is important to show that Georgia is a good steward of all its natural resources, water in particular.