Washington, D.C. - The future water use in the Apalachicola, Chattahoochee and Flint Rivers is being considered in the Nation's capital.
The U.S. House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment began taking testimony this morning in a hearing in Room 2167 of the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C.
At issue is the ongoing and important debate between the states of Florida, Georgia and Alabama over how water in the system should be used. Georgia wants access to dramatic amounts of water because of the massive growth taking place in Atlanta. Florida and Alabama oppose giving Georgia control over the water, pointing out that doing so would dramatically lower water levels downstream. Lower water levels, experts say, could seriously damage the environment along the lower end of the system and possibly even destroy Apalachicola's famed oyster industry.
The issue is of great importance to Jackson County because the entire eastern border of the county is formed by the Chattahoochee and Apalachicola Rivers. Power company executives have warned that low water levels in the system could force them to shut down the intakes at the large electrical plant near Sneads, resulting in a serious reduction of electrical power at peak times throughout Northwest Florida.
Among those scheduled to testify today were Rep. Allen Boyd (D-Florida) and Jackson County resident Chad Taylor, who serves on the Apalachicola River Riparian Coalition. Both Boyd and Taylor oppose giving Georgia access to more water for Atlanta.
Today's hearing is not expected to result in any immediate resolution of the controversy, which has been continuing for decades but came to a head over the winter when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers held back water from the lower end of the system to maintain the water supply for Atlanta.
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