The legislation clarifies that people cannot take extra water added to some drought-parched streams in south Georgia when that water is meant to preserve wildlife. The Senate approved the plan 48-2 Thursday, a day after it cleared the House.
The bill now heads to Gov. Nathan Deal's desk.
The measure had stalled because of worries that environmental officials might try using the proposal to change water rights and get more water to Florida to try resolving a long-running water dispute with that state.
However, the compromise plan makes clear that government officials can only stop people from taking the extra water to protect wildlife, not for other reasons.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2014/3/272371