Partnerships between public authorities and private enterprise to build new reservoirs are now legal in Georgia under legislation Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law Monday.
Senate Bill 122 "is particularly useful at times such as these when budget cutbacks hinder our ability to invest in new infrastructure," Deal said at a Georgia Chamber of Commerce luncheon in his honor. "This stretches public dollars by attracting partners to move forward with public works projects that will benefit the citizens of the state for generations."
Lawmakers approved $46 million in bond money in the state budget that takes effect July 1 to help facilitate the construction of new reservoirs. Deal said he hopes to increase that to $300 million over the next several years.
"Increasing our water supply in terms of holding that supply is critical for meeting our future needs," Deal said.
State Sen. Ross Tolleson, R-Perry, was the bill's primary sponsor. After Deal signed the bill, Tolleson urged the business leaders in the room to sell the measure as good for the state.
"Wherever you are from in this state, call your people and help them understand the economic vitality of this state is important to every region of this state from a water-quality standpoint," Tolleson said.
Tolleson said he has worked for the past several years to manage concerns and expectations of environmentalists who fear new reservoirs will destroy habitat and down-stream communities who don't want fast-growing North Georgia to siphon off rivers for unchecked growth.
"I tried for the last six years to be kind of the bridge over troubled waters of the north part of the state and the southern part of the state," he said.
About the Author
