SJR80 Summary

• Alabama legislature urges Georgia to invest in water supply infrastructure and conservation measures within the Chattahoochee River Basin rather than diverting water from the Tennessee River Basin to meet Atlanta metropolitan area water needs.

• A federal district court ruled that Atlanta's illegal use of Lake Lanier water storage must cease in 2012, but a study showed Atlanta's water supply needs can still be met within the Chattahoochee River Basin with adequate infrastructure investment and conservation efforts.

• Georgia Senate and House passed a resolution studying potential water withdrawal and transfer from the Tennessee River Basin, but the resolution failed to account for costs to downstream communities in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

• Alabama's Governor and Attorney General are urged to take necessary action, including legal action, to prevent Georgia from diverting water away from the Tennessee River Basin.

• Copies of the resolution shall be provided to Alabama's Governor, Alabama's Attorney General, and Georgia's Governor as expression of Alabama's strong opposition to water diversion from the Tennessee River Basin.