Coalition pushes for extension of April 30 reduced flow deadline
However thankful we are for the recent rain, we can not lose sight of the fact that we are still in the midst of a water supply crisis, nor should we lose sight of what that means for Lake Lanier. As reported by the Atlanta Journal Constitution on March 31, the drought technically may be over, but “Lanier is still recovering and stands more than 9 feet below full.”
Last fall, the 1071 Coalition formed as a grassroots effort to reform the management practices of Lake Lanier. The coalition’s primary issue is the departure from the basic operational philosophy that ensured Lake Lanier was full by June 1 of each year. It included the deliberate storage of water throughout the spring season, taking advantage of not only winter rains, but early spring rains as well. This deliberate storage is critical to the health of the lake since Lake Lanier sits on such a small watershed, thereby having much less impact from rainfall than other reservoirs downstream in general, and even less during droughts which are bound to return.
Thankfully, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division monitors our water supply and looks for ways to improve current reservoir operations. Last year, the EPD requested reduced releases from Buford Dam through April 30 of this year. We applaud the Corps for granting the request which, coupled with recent rainfall, has added several feet to the lake level. But we still have several feet of dried up shoreline to cover before we reach the lake’s full pool and rejuvenate the ailing area’s economy. To that end, the 1071 Coalition submitted a letter to EPD asking that the department request an extension to the reduced flows. The AJC also published an op-ed with similar comments by 1071 Coalition President Grier Todd on April 3.
Coalition members are encouraged to write the EPD with your concerns as well. Letters can be sent to:
Dr. Carol Couch
Director
Georgia Environmental Protection Division
2 Martin Luther King Drive, SE
Suite 1152 East Tower
Atlanta, GA 30334 |
