Water is an essential factor in our life. We drink it, bathe with it everyday (at least I hope you do), and use it to cool off. Water is what I would call the “elixir of life.”
Without it, we would be suffering greatly. So why does Georgia believe they can take our water from us?
A border fight between Georgia and Tennessee dates almost all the way back to 1887. Georgia has been trying to solve its major water problems, especially in Atlanta, where it has been suffering horribly from drought this year. It seems to have given them the greater incentive to try and change to border lines.
What I did not know was a proposal in the Georgia Legislature argues that a flawed survey in 1818 mistakenly marked Georgia’s border on a mile south of the Tennessee River.
If anyone has not noticed, most people who row, like myself, have, the river is extremely low because of our own drought.This information gives Georgia a viable case to get the border line moved. The border has been in place for almost 190 years. This proposal gives Georgia the ammo they need in the U.S. Supreme Court.
Also a recent document, the “Confidential Water Policy Memorandum,” wants to move the Tennessee line a mile north to the 35th parallel, which would put part of the Tennessee River in Georgia and allow them to pump as much as 500 gallons of water to Northern Georgia and Atlanta.
Does that seem fair to the people who are living just south of the Tennessee River? They would be losing water they need, which could cause even more problems than they already have.
This drainage by Georgia could cause some major problems for us here in Knoxville. Georgia wants to take water just below us, which could cause a large amount of our water to disappear.
If anyone has not noticed, most people who row, like myself, have, the river is extremely low because of our own drought. Georgia may have a plausible case but they have to look at the bigger picture.
Georgia can get water easily. Try building a desalination plant, which removes salt allowing water to be drinkable; they are right on the ocean in some parts of the country. I know Georgia is suffering, but this could only cause more problems. Unfortunately legal precedents indicate that the U.S. Supreme Court will likely rule that the line should be moved.
Comments
Brad Carver commented, on March 2, 2008 at 12:17 p.m.:
Jewell, as the author of the Confidential Water Policy Memo, I appreciate your concerns. I would only like to add that 6% of the water in the Upper Tennessee River (upstream from Chickamauga Dam) comes from the State of Georgia and Georgia residents currently use way less than 1% of the river. Even if an additional 500 mgd of water flows south to North Georgia, there would still be plenty of water in the TN River, and Georgia would still be using substantially less than the 6% that we contribute to the TN River.
Linda H.Tarpley commented, on March 2, 2008 at 5:41 p.m.:
Georgia got our "General" and now they want the land it sat
on as well. Last week a vent in AJC read
This is teaching our kids, if you need something just STEAL
it from your neighbors...............
Jewell commented, on March 3, 2008 at 9:40 p.m.:
Thank you for the information, I have limited resources, so it is good to hear back from some one who deals with this directly.
Jewell commented, on March 3, 2008 at 9:41 p.m.:
Thank you for the information, i have limited resources and it is good to hear from someone who deals directly with the problem.
Mark commented, on March 22, 2008 at 10:23 a.m.:
It's amazing to me that those in Tennessee wanting to comment on Georgia stealing or taking Tennessee land were not as concerned when Georgia disputed the claim in the first place....Now that Georgia puts legal teeth in the claim, Tennessee is up and arms... also documents point to Georgias original rights to the river when the state of Tennessee was established.
Jason commented, on March 29, 2008 at 6:54 a.m.:
Once the flood gate is open they will take much more than 500 gallons! The population is growing much to fast in Atlanta. The Tennessee river will run dry! The desalination plant is the only option with the rising sea level. An ice shelf broke off just last week 15 years ahead of schedule. We need to consume more ocean water.
B. Albert commented, on April 22, 2008 at 6:26 p.m.:
I say we settle it on the football field -- 2 out of next 3 games between the Vols and the Dawgs
Go Vols !!
Post a comment