Ruling in Tri-State Water War Case - What Does it Mean?

On Friday, July 17, U.S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson issued a long-awaited ruling on a fundamental water supply question for our basin: How much of Lake Lanier is available for metro Atlanta water supply? The judge’s ruling held that water supply was not an authorized purpose for Lake Lanier (which currently is the main source of water supply for metro Atlanta). The order stated the US Army Corps of Engineers must seek Congressional approval in order to continue withdrawals and releases from the lake for this purpose. The federal judge established a three-year time frame to secure Congressional authorization or some other resolution of the tri-state dispute.

While the judge's ruling is more far-reaching than UCR anticipated, it is not entirely unexpected. (See Fall 2008 RiverCHAT article: How Much of Lake Lanier is Available for Metro Water Supply.) The Governor and other state leaders have vowed to appeal the judge’s decision. UCR believes that  this appeal could further delay Georgia, Alabama, and Florida from finding real solutions to this water sharing problem, and that reasonable, informed people need to sit down and find a way to share this limited resource equitably rather than wasting taxpayer money in court.

The Georgia Water Coalition, of which UCR is a leading member, has offered common-sense solutions in a July 29 Op-Ed in the Atlanta Journal-Constituion.  Click here to read.

To learn more about the recent tri-state ruling and its possible implications, click here. To learn what you can do to save water at home and in the garden, click here.

City of Atlanta Residents: ACT NOW to Support Water Efficiency Measures!

The Atlanta City Council will soon be voting on the proposed Sustainable Building Ordinance, and UCR needs your help to voice your support for this important measure by August 25! These plans, some of the most progressive in the country, set standards for water-use efficiency, energy, and indoor air quality in new construction projects and will help Atlanta rise to meet many of the serious challenges it faces today. In light of the recent ruling in the tri-state water wars, it is more important than ever that we make the best use of our water resources by adopting proactive water efficiency measures in building and development.

Click here to learn what you can do to help, and click here to learn more about the Sustainable Building Ordinance, including meeting and workshop dates.

Paddle Cleanup on the Chattahoochee - August 15

UCR will hold a paddle cleanup on Saturday, August 15, going from Garrard Landing in Roswell to the Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Island Ford Visitor Center. At Garrard Landing, we will focus mostly on trying to remove all the aluminum cans on the river bottom, then paddle about 5 miles to Island Ford, removing trash out of the strainers along the route.

RSVP required - click here for more information.

Take a Showcase Home Tour and Support UCR

UCR is proud to be the official charity partner for “Greenhaven,” the first LEED certified, eco-friendly Decorators’ Show House in Atlanta. Open to the public through August 9, Greenhaven will showcase the latest in green building techniques, sustainable interior design, state-of-the-art technology and energy efficiency, as well as featuring over 20 of Atlanta’s top interior designers. Tickets are $20 per person and benefit UCR.

Buy your ticket today or learn about how to volunteer for this event at www.greenhavenhome.com.
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Shop at Let'sGoGreen.biz and support UCR - Just choose Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper at checkout and 25% of your order goes to UCR.