Today, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers filed a legal opinion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in the long-running tri-state water dispute between Georgia, Alabama, and Florida.   That legal opinion concludes that the Corps has authority to grant the full water supply request regarding Lake Lanier that Georgia submitted in 2000 and has been the subject of litigation ever since. 

Attorney General Sam Olens today applauded the Corps’ decision.  “Today’s decision is great news for Georgia.  It clears the way for real predictability and certainty for Georgia’s water resources.  Even better, this caps a terrific week for Georgia’s future.  Yesterday, the Supreme Court let stand a federal appeals court decision that Georgia can use water from LakeLanier, and several weeks ago, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service determined that reasonable operation of the river system will not impermissibly affect the species.  Finally, the state and its neighbors can put decades of litigation behind them and find ways to work together in meeting rooms instead of facing off in courtrooms.”

“I commend Governor Deal and his administration, including EPD Director Jud Turner, for their hard work that has led to this outcome,” said Olens.  “I also commend the legal team that has fought long and hard for this great result.”