The state of Alabama is not part of the current 'water wars' lawsuit filed by Florida against Georgia, but an attorney for Alabama said language in a Supreme Court order from earlier this month could change that.
John C. Neiman, Jr last week wrote a letter to the Special Master in the case, saying that Alabama is concerned about a part of the order that asks Florida and Georgia to consider importing water from outside the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) River Basin.
"The possibility mentioned in the January 3 Order could alter the nature of this action from Alabama’s perspective, for Florida’s complaint described the action as one 'to equitably apportion the interstate waters of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint [ACF] Basin,' not to apportion interstate waters of other basins," the letter to Ralph Lancaster reads.
Neiman said Alabama is concerned that the two states may consider pulling water from interstate basins that run through Alabama.
"If this case’s scope were expanded to include the possibility of a decree authorizing interbasin transfers from rivers flowing into Alabama, Alabama’s interests in the case would be different. The practical effect of a settlement or decree authorizing such transfers could prejudice Alabama, and Alabama would, as a result, become a necessary party to further litigation in this case," the letter states.
Florida and Georgia have until the end of the month to present resolutions to Lancaster, who will then take recommendations to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Lake Lanier in north Georgia is part of the ACF Basin.
For the full content of Neiman's letter, follow this link.
