Opinion Talk

By Lex Luthor

October 1, 2007 11:16 AM | Link to this

Any outdoor watering that isn’t drawn form a non-drinkable supply of water is foolish. IMO: Too little, too late.

By simpleplan97

October 1, 2007 11:36 AM | Link to this

I see all the questions about the drought but this is the time to work on it. Why doesn’t the Corp of Engineers at this time have equipment in these lakes to make them more deep so the lake level when it drops down will hold more resorces. This is a opportunity to help our situation with conserving. But let us not sit on our hands and do nothing to make the outcome better.

By court_fanatic

October 1, 2007 11:40 AM | Link to this

The watering ban doesn’t bother me in the least. What DOES anger me is the fact that the State allowed water to be released from Lake Allatoona and sent downstream to Alabama on a consistent basis throughout the spring and summer, thereby making parts of Allatoona look like a wet spot in the dirt. This weekend, we drove to the boat ramp where we normally put our boat in. I was stunned. The water level is so low, only kayaks and jetskis can access there. The water level at the bottom of the boat ramp, to about 75 yards out, is not even hip-deep. And the boat dock is on dry land. It will take years for the lake, not to mention to wildlife, to recover from this. Someone had enough political pull to allow the draining of Lake Allatoona - and their head should be on the chopping block.

By Drew

October 1, 2007 11:46 AM | Link to this

This problem has very little to do with the way we’re currently handling the drought - it’s actually a result of something rather simple we should have done years ago. By allowing development to occur completely unrestrained, the gov’t is digging us all into a huge hole - which is exactly where we are now. The more we build, the more water those people need. It’s as simple as that. How many condo complexes do you think are being built right now in the metro area? Too many!

By Ken White

October 1, 2007 11:47 AM | Link to this

Its amazing that below us, far under ground is an enormous suppy of drinking water. Some scientists believe that if we (Georgia) tap into that it will hurt other states. An dother scientist point that there is more water underground than above ground. However even in desert regions water can be found below the surface. It would make alot of sense to stop just depending on lakes and rivers for all our ware needs. Use what is God given below our feet. It seems we have lost our common snese sometimes concerning the weather and the earth. Use the 75% of the Earth’s resources… it can be done but who would initiate it. I truly believe most people love bad situations because it gives them something to argue about. Again use common sense….

By Casey Cares (NOT)

October 1, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

When you have state legislators like Casey Cagle, who care nothing about our environment and public health, then we have mega problems. Just remember he voted on the side of polluters who plan to nuke/scrape within 50’ of stream/river banks thuse causing swift runoff of rain instead of slowly soaking into the ground.

This is the historical way our political hacks work hand in hand with the crooked special interest to fatten the wallets of both. No wonder a state legislator friend in another state tells me they laugh about Georgias legislature being run by good ole boys in back rooms!!!

And these are the poeple we put in office to watch out after us!

By cnote

October 1, 2007 11:51 AM | Link to this

“What DOES anger me is the fact that the State allowed water to be released from Lake Allatoona”

Is Allatoona a state lake or corps lake?

By TURBOURBO

October 1, 2007 11:54 AM | Link to this

This is not a state problem. Since the lakes are run by the Department of Natural Resources, they hold full responsibility for making sure we have water to use in our lakes. Drought conditions are tough to predict and hard to plan for. I don’t know what a state can do if the National Government has control over the waterways.

By Stephen W

October 1, 2007 11:58 AM | Link to this

I don’t understand how 1 year can put the state into such a crisis —points in incompetence!

I travel to California a lot on business. The Los Angeles-Orange County-San Diego area for example rarely gets any rain and has to irrigate EVERYTHING —yet no water ban!

Los Angeles, for example, has a 3 year water supply stored underground. With all the rain we get in Georgia (most years) we should at least have a 3 year supply as well.

Did they not know the metro area was growing or what?!!! We should import California’s water planners!!!

By childonpeachcare

October 1, 2007 12:01 PM | Link to this

aw, you poor people can’t get your boats in Allatoona or Lanier. this is really terrible. someone call for an emergency session right away. why can’t our elected officials do something about this? what did we elect them for anyway?

By Donna

October 1, 2007 12:04 PM | Link to this

Yes this ban should have taken place months ago when the weather service said the drought would continue into 2008.

By Kristen

October 1, 2007 12:05 PM | Link to this

“Los Angeles, for example, has a 3 year water supply stored underground. With all the rain we get in Georgia (most years) we should at least have a 3 year supply as well.”

That says it all! Georgia water planner are pathetic!

By Kristen

October 1, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

“Los Angeles, for example, has a 3 year water supply stored underground. With all the rain we get in Georgia (most years) we should at least have a 3 year supply as well.”

That says it all! Georgia water planners are pathetic!

By Kristen

October 1, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

“Los Angeles, for example, has a 3 year water supply stored underground. With all the rain we get in Georgia (most years) we should at least have a 3 year supply as well.”

That says it all! Georgia water planners are pathetic!

By Kristen

October 1, 2007 12:06 PM | Link to this

“Los Angeles, for example, has a 3 year water supply stored underground. With all the rain we get in Georgia (most years) we should at least have a 3 year supply as well.”

That says it all! Georgia water planners are pathetic!

By court_fanatic

October 1, 2007 12:14 PM | Link to this

Allatoona is a Corps lake, and the Corps of Engineers IS federally-funded. However, the State of Georgia should have raised their hand in question when the lake level began to drop at such an alarming rate.

By Rob

October 1, 2007 12:19 PM | Link to this

But at least those poor endangered mussels in Florida will be OK!

By Bonnie

October 1, 2007 12:22 PM | Link to this

Let’s get our water back from Alabama and Florida. What a ridiculous way to waste good water. And what about the office parks that water the sidewalk? Are the “water police” going to start walking their beat to end this nonsense? Georgia needs to get a grip on their priorities. Stop the building of residences that just sit empty yet the builder waters the yard because it is “new landscape”-how absurd is that.

By JEFF

October 1, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

The lakes in Georgia are all in danger. West Point lake in LaGrange, GA has been under winter pool almost all through the summer months and will get lower in the winter. The water in West Point Lake is being used to feed muscles in FL that are in bad shape. GA is putting animal life above human life.

By JR

October 1, 2007 12:30 PM | Link to this

The lakes in Georgia are all in danger. West Point lake in LaGrange, GA has been under winter pool almost all through the summer months and will get lower in the winter. The water in West Point Lake is being used to feed muscles in FL that are in bad shape. GA is putting animal life above human life.

By ASA

October 1, 2007 12:41 PM | Link to this

This drought did NOT occur over the past year or two. This drought has been going on for 10 years - with a brief hiatus during 2005 (hurricanes). A TEN YEAR CYCLE! This info is from the State’s climatologists that have been working with our numbskull politicians over that same 10 year period. It will take more than those idiots at the State capitol - it will take the outrage of Georgia voters holding these idiots accountable for the mindless squandering of this precious resource (overdevelopment, not managing the resource better, ignoring EPA standards, etc.). So -blame the politicians if you must, but, blame yourself for not being more involved - bet you will when you can’t get a cool, clean glass of water from your tap. I’ll bet there will be REAL outrage if the idiots that try to maintain a lawn can’t water their “investment”.

By DnA

October 1, 2007 12:42 PM | Link to this

We are paying the price for letting developers have free rein. Cobb and Paulding have become traffic disasters, and now there’s no water. Cobb needs a building moratorium, but he county planning commissioners are clueless. No water, no money for roads, no infrastructure, I guess electricity will be next. Cobb, the new third world nation!

By Rob R

October 1, 2007 12:46 PM | Link to this

“What the public needs to understand is, it’s not due to demand, it’s due to the amount flowing straight to Alabama.” Quote from Cobb Commission Chairman, Cobb County-Marietta Water Authority member, and ARC chairman Sam Olens. The Atlanta area has been experiencing rapid growth for a decade. I don’t think development has suddenly caused the rain to stop falling…

By ericMann

October 1, 2007 12:49 PM | Link to this

close all the car washes, that don’t reuse there water. i am sure this will help some, i rather have a shower & water too drink , than a clean car, especially, if the car-wash does’nt recycle.

By Rose

October 1, 2007 12:50 PM | Link to this

I think this ban is too late, this should have started months ago. I applied for water in Cherokee County last week and asked (before the ban came out) if there was a ban and the lady told me no, some restrictions but no ban. The night before I heard sprinklers going off in the night and thought “what a waste”. Then I see all this new contruction with their sprinkers just a going this weekend. They should ban it all. We are in a crisis.

By ericMann

October 1, 2007 12:53 PM | Link to this

and turn off those g*******, sprinklers!

By ahhh

October 1, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Georgia’s most recent ban is a little to little too late. There should have been much stronger watering bans back in the springtime and they should be enforced.

Watering lawns and landscapes with drinking water is absurd! We should not be wasting our precious drinking water for outdoor watering.

Georgia needs to get with it and encourage people to harvest rainwater whether through elaborate rain harvesting techniques or a more modern approach to rain barrels. We should be using rainwater and gray water for landscaping!

Between the problem of not enough rain and wasteful, non-conservation habits, we’ve created so much impervious surface as a result of over development, we have a storm water run off problem which equals polluting our lakes.

If every person did something to help conserve, right now and from now on, we can make a difference. Harvesting rain water to do your outdoor watering will also help with the storm water run off.

check out this website:

http://www.noahsrainbarrel.com

By Tom

October 1, 2007 12:56 PM | Link to this

Please remember, there is plenty of water … for those willing to pay for it!

Why haven’t the politicians built additional water tanks and/or larger off-stream storage reservoirs?

Instead, these elected representatives decided to let their constituents/citizens run low/out of water. It doesn’t make any sense (and cents.) Water is (or should be) a revenue-positive operation, and the more they sell, the greater is the income into the city’s coffers.

I can solve the ongoing ‘water war’ among Florida, Alabama, and Georgia very easily, as well as any local (politically-caused) shortages. Change the mentality of the politicians to think of potable water as a for-profit activity (like a corporation.) Charge everyone an ‘availability fee’ for the water they use; use this fee to acquire additional water, treatment, transport, storage, etc.; as well as give instant rebates for purchasing a front-loading washer and other similar water-efficient items, so the people have all the water they need/want … whenever they want it delivered. The water could come from cisterns, off-stream rainwater storage, the Gulf of Mexico, the Atlantic Ocean, tertiary treatment water discharge, etc. paid for with the ‘availability fee’ money. No one needs to ‘conserve’ water … they simply pay for what they use!

One way I have found to reduce my water demand DRASTICALLY was to abandon my top-loading washer and go to a front-loading washer. The latter uses 25% of the water the former uses. (10-12 gallons vs. 40 gallons per load!) A side benefit is that it also uses less soap. This was needed as my drain field could not handle the demand placed on it from back-to-back wash loads using the top-loading washer. Municipalities or the great State of Georgia could prohibit top loaders from being sold, or offer an instant-rebate (e. g., $300-$500) when purchasing front-loaders.

Imagine, this coming Monday, that 1 million greater Atlanta residents have just replaced their top-loaders with front-loaders. Washing only one load of clothes per day would show 30 million gallons-per-day drop in demand, and that water could be available for other uses. There would be no additional construction, conversion of private land to public use, water restrictions, etc. from this action!

By CW

October 1, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

I am troubled by the drought response and the parallels to traffic congestion. 1) There has been a lack of preparation re the drought. Even with normal rainfall the rapid growth and concomitant increase in demand for water was chalenging the area. The lack of rainfall has exacerbated/accelerated the decrease in available water for northern Georgia including the Atlanta SMSA. 2) The water restrictions imposed do not go far enought and are discriminatory in that landscape companies who serve upper middle class and wealthy customers and businesses are exempt, while the middle calss and poor who take care of their own lawn and garden needs cannot water. The restrictions should include landscapers, car washing companies and stop all new landscaping (currently eligible for 30 days of watering). 3) The lack of courage by politicians to make and implement difficult decisions re water has resulted in this emergency; I predict the same will happen re traffic. The Atlanta SMSA and State leaders (the Governor) must make public transport a priority. We need an expanded MARTA, bus lanes, and light rail.

By rd

October 1, 2007 1:04 PM | Link to this

What Drew said. It is absolutely inconceivable that We are in the middle of a drought where we can’t water a thing, but growth is still completely uncontrolled in the metro area. It is really difficult to watch established homes/lawns/etc die while they build a new subdivision next door and water those lawns… and then build a huge new strip shopping center down the street that no one wants and that also further destroys the watershed.

Homeowners need to find a way to maintain their property with as little water as possible. And governments need to wise up and realize that there is NO WAY that Atlanta metro can support 10 million people. We need to carefully consider EVERY SINGLE new home and new commercial development. That is very hard in a capitalist free enterprise society (which I wholeheartedly support). Sure… Walmart/stripmall owner/bigbox can build a new super store on their own property, but they are going to have to find their own water!

My point? Capitalist enterprise depends on resources. Water is one of those resources. While a land owner may have a right to maximize the return on his property, he doesn’t have the right to do it by using public resources (water).

Does Gwinnett really need three malls? Does where I live need 8 grocery stores within 8 miles of my home? Do I need 4 Home Depots within 15 minutes of my house? 3/4 of the retail establishements in this area should never have been built, and the water that they use should have been saved for future NEEDED growth.

By blah, blah, blah

October 1, 2007 1:11 PM | Link to this

Right on RD and Drew! Well put and I couldn’t agree more. Did any of you see that map in last week’s AJC that showed the amount of impervious surface surrounding Lake Lanier - OMG that is scary!

By Darren in the Springs

October 1, 2007 1:13 PM | Link to this

Hey DnA this is from the Cobb County website:

“Welcome to Cobb County – one of the premier counties in the nation.”

Anyway back to the water thing. I used to live in Georgia, but now reside in Colorado Springs. I do not remember ever going through any serious droughts such as the one you are going through now. Just last year, out here, they lifted a 4 year watering ban because of drought conditions (not enough snow). Colorado Springs Utilities maintains 25 reservoirs around the area that hold somewhere between 30-40 billion gallons of water. 75% of the water we have comes from annual snowmelt, and it has to be saved for the whole year (only get 16 inches of rainfall per year). They are still exploring areas for underground storage too.

As we all know, homes have been built with no end in sight. When you build more there are less places for rainwater to soak in. It seems more of the water evaporates before it has a chance to runoff somewhere it could be used.

By robo

October 1, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

The nimrods who are whining about their stinking fat boat not being able to put into the lakes, are the same ones who refuse to conserve. They would float in a cesspool, so long as they can float the yacht wannabe where folks can see it. Conserving is not for them; it’s for everyone else.

By John

October 1, 2007 1:19 PM | Link to this

Drought, Blah: What about all these companies that use water {ie chicken plants, soda manufacturers, food production} that are cleaning every day. All in North Georgia, all drawing water from drinking sources.Have the authorities asked them to curb use, reduce production, etc? Oh, no, too much money from constituents.. Bussiness’ continue to water their lawns!

By CJ2

October 1, 2007 1:21 PM | Link to this

I am glad that the AJC is focusing on this issue.

It is politically expedient for county and state politicians to “blame” existing homeowners for using too much water for landscaping and the Corp of Engineers, but the reality is unrestrained and irrational in Atlanta regional counties has caused a significant increase in demand. I would love to see these numbers broken out. It would be wonderful if the AJC would research this so that we would all be properly informed.

By hr

October 1, 2007 1:22 PM | Link to this

Let the engineers tell you that they are releasing thousands of gallons into Alabama…or let them tell you that Hospitals and other big companies are using the water; yet, counties by counties has band residential use of water. Oh, you can go to the car wash; and how we continue to be less prepared for the water we had, yet, misuse it or why is that we have so much of everything and yet, have nothing? We will move to a state of emergency sooner than one may think. How do you handle it when you can wash, this mean taking a shower? Water is plentful, but the lakes has had it share of supplying it!

By blah, blah, blah

October 1, 2007 1:23 PM | Link to this

What happens when you’ve over developed is you create impervious surfaces. These surfaces such as highways, shopping centers, housing developments, office parks, etc. result in lots of asphalt or concrete. Rain can’t penetrate these and go back through the earth’s natural filtration and into the aquafers. Instead the rain gathers up all the pollutants from these surfaces (oil, gas, cigarette butts, paper, trash, etc.) and it runs into the storm drains and back into our rivers and streams…..

By the truth

October 1, 2007 1:29 PM | Link to this

Lanier is the septic tank of Atlanta. You are swimming in PI$$ AND S&%@T. Home values are going to plummet 20-30% over the next two years. SOOO SORRY if you baught a million $$ home on a waste water Treatment lake. AUGH! Can you say ECOLI. Its a soupy PEACHTREE DISH. LOL

By Scott

October 1, 2007 1:46 PM | Link to this

Did the state drop the ball? One word “DUH!!!”

By fred

October 1, 2007 1:58 PM | Link to this

I like simpleplan97’s idea — make the lakes deeper so next time there will be more cushion.

By paris

October 1, 2007 2:01 PM | Link to this

what endangered muscles? I was just in the gym, and I saw lots of muscles.

By Ima Greedy

October 1, 2007 2:02 PM | Link to this

The “dont give our water to Alabama & Florida” posts above are typical of the greedy, self-serving, whats in it for me attitudes of some useless citizens today. It is the downfall of America!

Hey you morons, rivers and streams are for citizens of ALL states the stream runs through. What about that statement do you greedy jerks not understand? Is your boat or dock not floating?

BTW, I am a Ga resident.

By Dale

October 1, 2007 2:05 PM | Link to this

Los Angeles is in a friggin’ desert. If they can have a 3 year water supply stored underground then there’s NO excuse for these Georgia nimrod water planners!

By john

October 1, 2007 2:13 PM | Link to this

If God wanted people in Alabama to drink water, he would have given them their own river.

By mim

October 1, 2007 2:20 PM | Link to this

Following up on what rd and drew said, this is an opinion piece that I sent to the AJC and to my local weekly, neither of which has published it:

Ever since I bought this, my first house, in 1995, my garden has been my refuge and my delight. I am not wealthy, yet I have spent many thousands of dollars to create it and care for it, and untold, wonderful hours tending it, learning it and photographing it. On Friday, September 28th, the Environmental Protection Division imposed a total outdoor water ban in North Georgia. It will break my heart to watch my trees and shrubs wither and die, not just the mature hardwoods that protect my property from the hot southern and western sun (and reduce my energy costs), but also the Japanese maples, the weeping cherry tree and the azaleas that ring my home in glorious shades of pink in the springtime.

Why are few people counseling wise use by businesses and residents, not just of outdoor water but of water we use indoors as well? Why aren’t there public service announcements all over the place about how to conserve water? As just a few examples, residents shouldn’t let the water run while brushing their teeth and should use the dishwasher only for full loads, and restaurants should provide glasses of water only when asked. Our homes and businesses are already metered. Why could not there have been a per-residence or per-business water allowance? That may have forestalled the EPD’s decision. That is still an option. Why is nobody considering it? That way, a conservation-conscious single occupant who uses less water indoors than a two- or four- or five-person family would be able to do a bit of outdoor watering to keep his or her garden alive, and the larger family would be more likely to conserve water indoors in order to have enough for the garden.

Are those businesses that are watering their properties seemingly indiscriminately, that have signs that say they’re using well water really using well water? Even so, even the aquifer will dry up without rain.

I understand that car washes and pressure washing companies are allowed to operate despite even this total ban because we cannot deprive people of their livelihood, but it still bothers me that it’s apparently okay to keep inanimate objects clean, while our plants and flowers must die. But worst of all for me is seeing construction proceeding apace, as if we are not in a severe drought that may last for years. I cannot fathom the utter insensibility of continuing to build McMansions, megatownhouses, shopping centers and indeed mini-cities while the lakes that feed the Chattahoochee River, our only water source, are approaching record low levels.

Why is nobody, nobody even broaching the subject of imposing a total moratorium on new construction? Why is the M-word never, ever mentioned? Is every politician, builder and citizen in a state of utter denial? If our rapidly depleting water supply cannot be guaranteed for existing uses, how on earth do people expect it to be there to accommodate new construction? Forget about increasing the tax base. Don’t talk to me about economics. The economics I see is that our residential property values will plummet without our landscaping. C’mon, people. Get a grip on realty. Practice conservation. Practice preservation. Stop building! Stop creating the demand for consumption. Without water, we will all perish along with our gardens.

By Charles

October 1, 2007 2:22 PM | Link to this

The best idea to implement will be for the State of Georgia to run a water viaduct or major pipeline down from the Tennessee River near Chattanooga, to the water treatment plants in City of Atlanta, Cobb County, Fulton County, and Gwinnett County. The watershed of the Tennessee River is 1,000 time larger than the Chattahoochee and could serve the needs of the Metro Atlanta area without dropping. This would allow for the Chattahoochee River to recover over time and for Lake Lanier the Chattahoochee to be returned to a 100% recreational waterway, supporting the down-stream ecological needs of endangered species. This is a practical and long-term solution to all the metro areas water need and to support continued growth. This has been done for years in New York City (who gets their water from the Cascade Mountains in upstate NY), Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and other major metropolitan area. With the equipment already purchased and in the metro area which was used to drill the underground ground water/sewage hold facility for the city of Atlanta, and the one used to do the same for Cobb County from east cobb, they could drill this underground viaduct in a few years from the Tennessee River. It is worth doing and it is time.

By catchem

October 1, 2007 2:34 PM | Link to this

So simple… Why do the animal rights nuts via Florida, have a say in how Georgia uses a natural resource. To hell with sturgeon and snails alike; we’re talking about millions of people and major metropolitan areas. People were put on this earth to be stewards of the earth and its’ creatures; we’re one of them. We’ve done good and bad. We need the water now and forever.

By trish

October 1, 2007 2:39 PM | Link to this

Charles, I like your idea about a viaduct, however, it looks to me like the Tennesee river has an elevation of 812 feet at Knoxville (headwaters), while Allatoona is at 830 feet and Lanier is at 1059 feet. And the City of Atlanta is higher than Chattanooga. So you’re going to have to pump water uphill.

By El Bubba

October 1, 2007 2:42 PM | Link to this

We could make a BIG PIPELINE where the water enters the Gulf of Mexico, then pump it back to Atlanta, then you can drink it,again.

By alohavampire

October 1, 2007 2:44 PM | Link to this

In my personal opinion this is the biggest issue facing the state of Georgia today. I wish more people understood how serious the situation is. I work for a major media company here in Atlanta and I wish more stories were being done about this drought and the resulting water shortages.

It’s not just the fact we are in a serious drought here in Georgia as well as the rest of the southeast. The story goes way beyond that… The mismanagement of state resources, The mistakes made by the Army Corps of Engineers and the political water-war between Georgia, Alabama and Florida just go on and on.

The unabated growth of Atlanta and the surrounding counties is certainly a huge factor in this equation. STOP BUILDING SO MUCH!

Consumers and businesses also need to step-up. My apartment complex violates the watering ban daily but I’m not going to turn them in because I like green grass. Let the water police get out of their office chairs and get to work ASAP. Find them, fine them and if they continue to violate, shut them off until it burns so badly nobody would even consider breaking the restrictions.

And to our friends downstream… To hell with the Sturgeon fish and the two species of freshwater mussels. Do the fish and mussels vote or pay taxes?

Darwin’s theory wins here…. The strong will survive and the weak won’t make it.

Finally… To the Army Corps of Engineers… Get your sh*t together. You lost billions of gallons of our water last year. What kind of dope were ya’all smoking? Either manage the water levels correctly or create a few more lakes in this area or both. There’s an area called South Dekalb County. It’s a cesspool… Flood it so I can wash my car again.

By Charles

October 1, 2007 2:50 PM | Link to this

Pumping the water ‘up’ tp Atlanta is a technical issues that can be worked out. Atlanta is on a the southern tip of the Smoky Mountians and is the largest city at the highest elevation east of the Mississippi River. Atlanta is not on a major riverway or waterway like other major metropolitan areas, and geographically illogical location for a major city to be located. The viaduct, or undergound pipeline with major resevoir hold areas on the way, like Lake Altoona, would be able to provide a long-term supply of water for the metro Atlanta area.

By peaches

October 1, 2007 2:56 PM | Link to this

Bookman is such a hypocrite. Has the state been ignoring his warnings for the past ten years…I don’t think so. After the fact, he is Monday morning quarterbacking, trying to score a little political capital out of a natural disaster. Bookman is only a vicious little political nerd, not a man to be taken seriously.

By george

October 1, 2007 3:19 PM | Link to this

The main problem with an aqueduct to Atlanta is not the issue of pumping the water. There is no space left for a corridor to do this. The California Aqueduct is 100 feet wide. A tunnel would have to be huge. Plus, who will pay for it? The state won’t invest money in new roads, much less something like this. Sonny’s solution to the drought is “pray for rain”.

By robo

October 1, 2007 3:28 PM | Link to this

The ignorance abounds here.

The shut-off-the-tap at Lake Lanier nitwits really think that LL is a state lake or some crap.

Then there is the pump-the-water-uphill dullards that want to start a project bigger than the freakin pyramids so they can float their pontoon boats.

Don’t forget the Dig-until-we-reach-China imbiciles that are too stupid to comment on.

Does, manage your state/local resources more efficiently, or try to be a little less greedy with the monopoly subdivisions multiplying on unsustainable resources mean anything to anyone?

SHEESH!!!

By meeeee

October 1, 2007 3:29 PM | Link to this

the problem is there is no rain. with no rain there’s not enough inflow into the lakes to keep water levels stable. the corps of engineers can only keep outflow to a certain minumum. we should be glad that the lakes arent as low as they could be considering how little rain there’s been. had this drought been last year with that mis-manegement, who knows how far down lake levels would be.

By meeeee

October 1, 2007 3:38 PM | Link to this

btw making the lakes “deeper” does nothing. all of that space made from the land they take out to make the lakes “deeper” will be filled in with water. all you will be doing is changing the topography of the land. in this case you would only be making under water cliffs basically. what won’t change is the amount of water in the lakes. this actually will hurt the shallower areas because now all of the water that used to be there will be going to the “deeper” parts of the lake. there will be less water there.