Water war hits U.S. Senate

Boat docks nearly high and dry at Lake Lanier. (Susanna Capelouto)

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama added language to an omnibus spending bill that prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from implementing new water control plans for the Chattahoochee River basin. Shelby is a senior member of the powerful appropriations committee.

The move angered both Georgia Senators, Johnny Isacson and Saxby Chambliss. They said the language shouldn't have been allowed without consultation of senators from affected states. The language they say injects Congress into an issue that should remain in the hands of the
Governors of the three affected states.

In October the U.S. Army Corp of engineers said it would start updating it's water contol manuals used to regulate flow in the Chattahoochee and Coosa, Tallapoosa river basins.

The current manuals are almost 20 years old and do not reflect the population growth in Georgia. The language in the spending bill specifically prohibits the Corps from using funds to implement any new water control manuals for the two river basins.

Senator Isaacson says he has the votes to change the language before the appropriaions for the corp of engineers go into effect.

Earlier this week, the Governors of Georgia Alabama and Florida agreed to come up with a drought plan and continue their talks over how to resolve the 17-year-old water dispute.