Water planning panel cuts environmental provisions

COLUMBUS - After more than a year of developing recommendations for a statewide water policy, the Georgia Joint Comprehensive Water Plan Study Committee voted Thursday to remove remaining environmental provisions. <br> <br> The committee, which will present its proposals to next year&#39;s General Assembly, removed a list of principles relating to Georgia&#39;s water rights structure and specifically encouraging water conservation. <br> <br> Lawyer Stephen Draper formally objected to the vote, saying the 23-member committee approved the recommendation, known as Article 27, at a meeting in Macon. <br> <br> ``I am surprised because my memory was that the principles in Article 27 were voted on and approved in Macon, and that things approved in Macon were not to be taken out,&#39;&#39; John Sibley, president of the Georgia Conservancy, said after Thursday&#39;s meeting. <br> <br> Opponents of the recommendation argued that whether water is a public resource and what constitutes reasonable water use are questions to be answered in the courts, not the Legislature. <br> <br> Environmentalists countered that any legislation is bound to be tested in the courts, but strong legislation would remove some opportunity for judicial interpretation. <br> <br> ``I think it&#39;s very important that the Legislature make a very clear statement about what our water policy is,&#39;&#39; said George Sherk, attorney for the conservation group H2Ours.