Lake Lanier fed ruling 'a favor'

GAINESVILLE - Governor Sonny Perdue's "quarterback" on Lake Lanier water negotiations told Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce members Thursday that a July federal court ruling on Lanier actually did Georgia a favor.

Georgia Power president Mike Garrett, who is also Georgia Chamber of Commerce Chairman, said at the state chamber "power lunch" at Chattahoochee Country Club that federal Judge Paul Magnuson's ruling was a "wake-up" call.

"He put a much shorter timeline on it," Garrett said. "We've been working on this thing for 18 or 19 years, and we've come to no resolution and sometimes when you have a deadline, that causes people to want to move and work together and hopefully come to some compromise."

Garrett said he remains "guardedly optimistic" the governors of Georgia, Alabama and Florida can reach a water allocation agreement before time runs out.

"I remain guardedly optimistic," Garrett said. "We've come close before, and I think with that deadline imposed on us, everyone has more of a reason to come together."

Judge Magnuson ruled that Georgia has been illegally tapping Lanier, with the lake providing drinking water to more than 3 million people. Florida and Alabama had challenged the withdrawals, saying they were drying up river flow into their states.

CLOSER PARTNERS

Georgia Chamber of Commerce CEO George Israel called for a closer partnership between the state chamber and local chambers in the face of what he called "frightening" federal legislation that threatens business.

Israel said that partnership includes educating members on the issues confronting them.

"Both of us can work to expand understanding and get and educate our membership and then hopefully get them to act, call Congress, call members of the House and Senate, and make sure something happens," Israel said.

Israel said proposed health care reform, climate change, and unionization bills are "clouds on the horizon" that promise to hurt private business.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2009/9/222937