Ongoing drought may mean re-tightening the faucet

Lake Allatoona, north of Atlanta: bridge over troubled waters (Dave Bender/file)

Environmental Protection Division chief Carol Couch, said Wednesday the state's deepening drought may force her to tighten a range of water restrictions loosened earlier this year.

Couch says she will evaluate water use in the state next month, and decide whether to impose new restrictions for the dozens of communities in north Georgia where some watering limits have been relaxed.

The announcement came as state climatologist David Stooksbury declared that soaring summer temperatures and light rainfall have plunged more of Georgia into drought conditions.

Couch has faced criticism from some environmentalists who say relaxing water restrictions during the drought could send conflicting messages about the state's water crisis and set the stage for tighter limits in the fall. But Couch is also under pressure from agriculture groups, who fear a new round of conservation measures could cripple their industry.

(The Associated Press)

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the drought, and it's effects on Georgia.

US House C'tee Seeking Answers on Drought

Formerly submerged shoal marker and tree along the receding shoreline at West Point Lake. (file photo/Dave Bender)

The US House of Representatives small business subcommittee will meet on Tuesday in Lagrange in western Georgia to discuss the drought and its effect on local businesses.

Third district Republican Congressman Lynne Westmoreland, who represents a 15-county area around West Point Lake will host the field hearing.

The lake provides drinking water for Lagrange and some 24,000 area residents.

The committee will question Brigadier General Joseph Schroedel of the US Army Corp of Engineers southeastern region and Sam Hamilton, Southeast Regional Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service about water levels and policies for the lake.

Westmoreland says his group is seeking answers as to why water use policies haven't been updated in the last half century:

"The last water manual that was written, went through the process and was approved was in 1958. So, you can see that it's been 50 years since we've done anything with the situation, and I think the Corps, Fish and Wildlife and others owe us an explanation."

Westmoreland said the group would also discuss a long-term solution for businesses in the vicinity that rely on the lake. Many are recreation-based and have been hard-hit by the drought.

Click here for more GPB News coverage of the drought.

Perdue lists top legislative agenda

Governor Sonny Perdue, flanked by Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, and House Speaker Glenn Richardson, makes a point to reporters during a press conference at Columbus Municipal Airport, Thursday, Jan, 10, 2007. (Photo: Dave Bender)

Governor Sonny Perdue, Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and House Speaker Glenn Richardson jetted into Columbus Thursday morning.

The trio laid out their plans for the upcoming legislative session during the barnstorming stopover, part of a two-day, cross-state marathon.


Perdue, flanked by Cagle and Richardson, listed his agenda:

“Focus on the primary issues that concern people: healthcare, transportation, jobs, education, and certainly water's been on all of our minds.”

Columbus Mayor Jim Weatherington said Perdue “hit all the right buttons,” in his remarks encouraging local input for the statewide water plan.

State representatives and other city officials were also on hand for the half-hour visit.

Perdue and company flew on to Cartersville and Gainesville from Columbus.

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State drought committee meets today

As Georgia continues to wrestle with dry conditions affecting water supplies, the state drought response committee meets today. Officials may recommend tighter watering restrictions--possibly a total outdoor watering ban for Georgia. One move has already been made this week as officials announced there will be a reduction in water being released downstream to Alabama by one-third. Lake Allatoona here in Georgia is dropping about a foot a week in its level.