Letter to Governor on Water Resource Policy
February 9, 2001
Governor Roy Barnes
203 State Capitol
Atlanta, Georgia 30334
Dear Governor:
It is encouraging that you have properly acknowledged water resource policies as a state priority. We submit the following comments
regarding vital water resources on behalf of the Center for a Sustainable Coast, Residents United for Planning and Action (Saint Simons
Island), and the Coastal Group Sierra Club.
Among the most challenging of Georgia's many water resource issues is the problem of meeting rapidly growing demand while responsibly
protecting and restoring the ecosystem support functions of our rivers. We are disturbed by proposals, now under formal review, for
diverting river flow to water-supply reservoirs. Also of concern are plans to discharge water withdrawn from one river system into
the watershed (drainage area) of a different river. Use of reservoirs and inter-basin transfers could have cumulatively devastating
results, but more research is needed to evaluate possible impacts, including irreversible harm to nature-based businesses and aquatic
biodiversity.
Meeting water-supply demands by transferring water away from coastal watersheds will deplete flow in rivers that are of vital importance
to our fisheries and nature-based tourism activities, worth at least $1 billion annually, and supporting some 40,000 jobs. This would be
a tragically flawed ‘solution' to water-supply problems in Georgia and neighboring states that share common public resources. Instream
flows needed for river ecosystem functions remain uncertain but are extremely critical. It is imperative that before further inter-basin
transfers or other flow disruptions are permitted, reliable studies determining flow requirements for all rivers are completed.
I am sure you agree that it would be ill-advised to satisfy the interests of other regions by depriving coastal Georgians of sustainable
recreational and economic benefits provided by their natural resources. We cannot afford treating key elements of our ecosystems as mere
inventory stockpiles to be reallocated, regardless of long-term consequences for natural resources and the related economic interests of
responsible nature-based businesses.
Assessment of the potential for advancing water recovery and conservation is also needed, especially in the watershed of the Altamaha,
Georgia's largest river supporting fisheries habitats that are among the nation's most productive. Surely we can implement
such enlightened approaches that are consistent with the principles of the Georgia Water Bill of Rights, endorsed by individuals and organizations
representing over 1.4 million Georgians.
Please give these matters the serious attention they deserve in restructuring Georgia's water policy.
Respectfully,
David Kyler
Executive Director
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