07 LC 28
3411
Senate
Resolution 243
By:
Senators Harp of the 29th, Hooks of the 14th, Seabaugh of the 28th, Meyer von
Bremen of the 12th, Bulloch of the 11th and others
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 above the present full pool levels as
weather and rainfall permit; and
WHEREAS,
this increased supply will assist in the managed economic growth of the State of
Georgia and will provide additional storage buffers in case of drought;
and
WHEREAS,
additional water supply for Georgia will help answer additional water needs as
growth in population and prosperity requires 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 SENATE 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 Secretary of the Senate 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.