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No More Water Wars?

By Associated Press

Georgia's Governor drops legal challenge in water fight with Alabama, Florida. No More Water Wars?

Published: Wed, November 07, 2007 - 7:49 am Last Updated: Wed, November 07, 2007 - 10:11 am

ATLANTA (AP) - Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue has dropped legal action to try to force the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reduce
water withdrawals from Lake Lanier.

The governor said yesterday that Georgia could renew its legal fight if interstate cooperation again fails in its water battle
with Florida and Alabama.

Perdue said the recent intervention by the Bush administration limiting how much water can be released from Lanier has made him
optimistic the issue can be resolved outside of the courtroom.

The motion for a temporary injunction was filed October 19th in the Middle District of Georgia. A hearing had been scheduled for
later this month.

Perdue has criticized the federal government for continuing what he calls excessive water releases from reservoirs such as Lanier,
Atlanta's main water supply.

But neighboring states and environmentalists say Georgia's failure to plan for its growth has contributed to the problem.

(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)