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Congressman
John Linder gives views
on water resources for Georgia and us
By U.S. Rep. John Linder
11th District of Georgia
Special to GwinnettForum.com
(Editor's Note: Congressman John
Linder made reference to water resources at a recent political forum.
We asked him to expand his views for Gwinnettians to see. --eeb)
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U.S.
Rep. John Linder
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APRIL 5, 2002 - - The State of Georgia currently faces a number
of water crises. Due to the drought of the past few years, the water
levels lie intolerably low in Georgia's lakes. Furthermore, fresh
water stored in Georgia's Upper Floridan Aquifer is threatened by
saltwater intrusion. Meanwhile, projected population growth for
Georgia indicates that water demand will continue to increase in
coming years.
As there is a need to reach an agreement with Alabama and Florida
on allocation of shared rivers originating in Georgia, I was happy
to learn that Florida signed a last-minute extension to continue
the tri-state water compact negotiations for another 90 days, rather
than allowing the talks to end without a solution. The three states
have already invested over four years in these negotiations, which
are critical to ensuring that all three states have access to the
fresh water necessary for human life.
While it is critical that the water compact negotiations over Georgia's
existing water resources continue, it is also critical that Georgia
begins to find ways to "create" more fresh water to meet
its growing needs.
I have introduced a bill in the U.S. House of Representatives to
help all states to prepare for 21st century demands on our nation's
finite water resources. My bill, H.R. 3561, would create a commission
charged with researching and recommending to Congress a comprehensive
water policy to meet 21st century water needs. The "21st Century
Water Policy Commission" would include representatives of federal,
state, and local water management agencies, as well as private sector
and environmental organizations that deal with water problems.
The federal government can help states to prepare for pending water
crises by funding research into new water-management technologies
and providing a forum through which successful water research and
technologies can be shared across the nation. In addition, the federal
government can help communities to fund the construction of necessary
water facilities. Finally, the federal government can help communities
to expand their water resources by reducing red tape and better
coordinating federal water agencies and programs.
The 21st Century Water Policy Commission would be charged with
developing recommendations in each of these areas. Through these
responsibilities, H.R. 3561 takes the first step toward helping
all Americans to face future water emergencies proactively.
Georgia's water officials are working tirelessly to address our
state's growing water needs. With my water bill, I hope to empower
those officials by increasing federal support for water research
and development and reducing federal regulatory boundaries.
Last year, roughly 50 trillion gallons of water fall on Georgia,
yet our lakes are growing dangerously low, our citizens are subject
to stringent water restrictions, and our aquifers are being pumped
dry. Why? Because we do not effectively capture and reuse Georgia's
rainfall before it evaporates or runs off into the ocean. This problem
is neither limited to Georgia, nor the Southeast. States across
the nation will meet with water crises in the coming years, and
they will all have to find ways to use water more efficiently, capture
more water, and reuse water multiple times before it flows out to
sea. My 21st Century Water Policy Commission bill offers a ray of
hope for Georgia and all states challenged by their finite water
resources.
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Number
1.96, April 5, 2002
