Lt. Governor Casey Cagle Statement Regarding Floridas Decision to Sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

Lt. Governor Casey Cagle released the following statement today upon the news that the state of Florida has decided to sue the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers:

“Today’s news is not only shocking, but extraordinarily disappointing.  I find it unconscionable that the state of Florida would choose to elevate the water needs of the bankclimber and fat threeridge mussel over the needs of millions of human beings in Georgia.

“The fact remains that we are experiencing one of the worst droughts in our state’s history.  While we have worked diligently to protect and conserve our resources, the lack of rainfall in our state puts safe drinking water for families at risk.  The drought has choked our economy, forced hundreds of small businesses to the brink of bankruptcy, destroyed the value of some family homes and drained reservoirs.  All the while, Florida claims they need our water flow for three species of mussels.

"The shellfish that Florida claims are threatened survived just fine for many years before Lake Lanier was ever built.  This lawsuit is about political posturing, not protecting the environment. It is beyond my comprehension why any state would want to treat a neighboring state in such a manner and I will do everything possible to protect the water needs of Georgians.”