hr56_LC_25_4726S_hs_4.html
07 LC 25 4726S

The House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment offers the following
substitute to HR 56:

A RESOLUTION

To urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Congress to begin a study of the costs and effects of adding to the storage capacities of all Corps reservoirs in the State of Georgia; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, as growth and prosperity continue to evolve in Georgia, the demand for water continues to be a major focus item for Georgia executives and stakeholders; and

WHEREAS, the situation is exacerbated by the tri-states negotiations among Georgia, Florida, and Alabama that have been in debate for over 15 years; and

WHEREAS, whenever a drought occurs, the problem becomes even more severe; and

WHEREAS, additional water supplies would help ameliorate the problem, but new reservoirs are extremely expensive and there is no readily available location in Georgia for new storage capability; and

WHEREAS, raising the full pool levels of Corps reservoirs in the state would substantially increase the available water supply in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, this increase could be managed by the United States Army Corps of Engineers by simply allowing lake levels to increase as weather and rainfall permits above the present full pool levels; and

WHEREAS, this increased supply will assist in the managed economic growth of the State of Georgia and will provide additional storage buffers in the case of drought; and

WHEREAS, additional water supply for Georgia will help answer additional water needs as growth in population and prosperity puts requirements on more water throughout the state; and

WHEREAS, the costs of such action are minimal compared to newly created reservoirs and could be implemented in 12 to 18 months, whereas new and costly reservoirs could take a decade or longer.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of this body urge the United States Army Corps of Engineers and the United States Congress to begin a study of the costs and effects of adding to the storage capacities of all Corps reservoirs located throughout the State of Georgia.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and each member of the Georgia Congressional delegation.