Georgia “Water Wars” Battlefield Moves To Washington

WASHINGTON (AP) - Lawmakers from Georgia, Florida and Alabama
are putting new pressure on their governors to start negotiations
on resolving a court ruling that could rob Atlanta of its primary
water source.
    Signaling frustration that talks have not begun, lawmakers from
the three states emerged from a meeting Wednesday saying the
governors must understand the situation is urgent.
    A federal judge ruled in July that the Atlanta region was
illegally tapping Lake Lanier. He said Georgia would lose access in
three years if it can’t push a settlement through Congress
authorizing the use.
    All parties agree that the governors - who have fought over
water for years - are best equipped to negotiate. But the feuding
governors have not yet set an initial meeting.