Appeals court to hear tri-state water dispute

ATLANTA - A federal appeals court today will hear arguments in a tri-state water dispute that could severely diminish Atlanta's water supply.

The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals will hear oral arguments from attorneys for Georgia and metro Atlanta seeking to overturn a ruling that would limit Atlanta's ability to take water from Lake Lanier starting next July unless Georgia, Alabama and Florida reach an agreement.

Attorneys for the state of Georgia say Atlanta has a right to use that water and say that a lower court judge did not properly account for the harm his order could cause the region.

Alabama and Florida say Georgia is using too much water upstream, which harms residents, businesses and fisheries downstream.

Arguments are scheduled to being at 9 a.m.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2011/3/236890