In the midst of a drought that has plagued the southeastern United States for more than a year, many legal struggles have sparked between states in various attempts to improve their own water source.

In what could be the most controversial move yet, members of the Georgia state senate recently drafted a resolution to redefine the Tennessee-Georgia boundary, moving the border approximately one mile north of its current location.

Sen. David Shafer and Rep. Harry Geisinger introduced a bill to set up a commission that would designate the states with "definite and true boundary lines."

Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen's initial reaction was similar to many residents of border towns. He replied to an Associated Press reporter who mentioned the topic by saying "This is a joke, right?"

With an extreme water shortage in north Georgia, the legislation is far from a joke. The state senators who back the bill believe Georgians should claim their right to the waters of the Tennessee River.

If they really do try to pull this off, we will do whatever we have to do to defend ourselves. My constituents have no desire to live in Georgia. Marion County Mayor, Howell MossThe bill points to a survey conducted in 1818, claiming that the placement of the border markers was conducted with cheap, unsuitable instruments.

According to the bill, modern mapping techniques indicate that Georgia's border was erroneously placed one mile south of the 35th parallel, the line that was mandated by Congress originally.

"If they really do try to pull this off, we will do whatever we have to do to defend ourselves," said Howell Moss, Marion County mayor, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. "My constituents have no desire to live in Georgia." 

The reason politicians in the Peach State are just now beginning a fight for the land is simple. The Tennessee River has a flow of water about 15 times greater than the Chattahoochee river, which is currently the main natural water source serving Metro Atlanta. 

The bill would commission legislators from Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina to investigate claims that the border is actually 5,600 feet north, which would mean that the Tennessee River cuts into a corner of Georgia and could help appease the state's crisis.

While the bill would likely be struck down by the Supreme Court if passed through the state's senate, the region will likely be forced to share water with Georgia in the long run unless an end to the drought comes soon.

Despite winter rains and occasional snow that seemingly appeased the dry conditions, the desperation among officials in every state of the region is only growing stronger.

According to a report included in the Georgia Senate's attempt to investigate the historical placement of the borders, scientists tracking long-term weather trends expect the drought to continue and possibly worsen when warm weather returns.

"The rain pretty much belies what we'll see in late spring," said Georgia State Rep. Lynn Smith, chairwoman of the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. 

Rep. Smith called for a special committee meeting last week with Dr. Carol Couch, director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.

"The drought conditions in Georgia have progressively worsened for the past year," Couch said.

She also pointed out that winter and early spring are "the time of rain in this state [Georgia.] Wherein our reservoirs are replenished, water tables are replenished."

 It will rain. That doesn't mean the drought is over. The drought conditions in Georgia have progressively worsened for the past year Dr. Carol Crouch, Georgia EPD

"It will rain. That doesn't mean the drought is over." She said data collected by her agency "indicate that all of the state is in some level of abnormal weather conditions."

One issue that has plagued Georgia is the Army Corps of Engineers: the Corps is required to take 20 feet of water out of Lake Seminole, another major water source in the state, to support endangered species in Florida.

Gov. Sonny Perdue has directly blamed the Corps for causing the water crisis, and Georgia has taken action to reduce flows, though unsuccessful to this point.

Until rain appeases the situation or states suffering through the water crisis begin working together, outlandish lawsuits like the one calling for the change of a centuries old border could become commonplace.

"Other hazards tend to pull people together," said Michael Hayes, director of the National Drought Mitigation Center at the University of Nebraska, in an interview with the AP. "With a drought, because it's a limited resource, it tends to drive people apart."