Lt. Governor Casey Cagle: Lake Condition Has Produced Economic Hardships in North Georgia

Today, a state House and Senate delegation will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works), John Paul Woodley Jr,   along with U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson, U.S. Senator Saxby Chambliss and U.S. Congressman Nathan Deal.   The delegation will press the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow Lake Lanier levels to increase as weather and rainfall permits and will present the full reality the drought and the Corps of Engineers actions have had on the State of Georgia. 

“It is critical that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers fully understand the reality of the water needs in our state and I am grateful our delegation will deliver a strong message today.   The current lake condition has resulted in very real economic hardships in North Georgia and the fact remains that we are experiencing one of the worst droughts in Georgia’s history.  We will continue to press the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to respond by increasing, not decreasing,our lake levels.   The drought has choked our economy, forced small businesses to the brink of bankruptcy, destroyed the value of some family homes and drained reservoirs.   I am confident that Senator Murphy and the entire delegation will be a voice of reason and strong advocate for the State of Georgia and we are hopeful some good news will come from today’s meeting,” said Lt. Governor Casey Cagle.

“I am extremely concerned about the hard times that this drought and subsequent low lake levels have placed on the families, businesses and taxpayers of North Georgia.   This drought has not only cost us water, but it has cost us jobs.  We will continue to work with the Army Corps of Engineers to manage the basins in a way that benefits all users,” said Senator Jack Murphy.

The delegation is being led by Senator Jack Murphy and includes Senator Lee Hawkins, Senator Ross Tolleson, Representative Tom Knox, Representative John Heard and Representative Mark Hamilton.

During this past legislative session, the House and Senate passed a resolution urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin a study of the costs and effects of raising the full pool for Lake Lanier. A copy of the resolution can be found by clicking on the following link: http://www.legis.ga.gov/legis/2007_08/search/sr123.htm