Florida's side of the debate is basically about the Appalachicola Bay area. They have several concerns.
Quote:
In court papers, Florida's principal leverage in forcing a larger flow has been the fact that three federally protected species -- two types of mussel and the Gulf sturgeon -- are believed to need fresh water to maintain their habitat.
The demands of the little-known species has led Georgia officials to characterize the debate as a contest of "man versus mussel" -- suggesting that Georgians should get the water before mussels do.
But biologists said the demand for water in Apalachicola Bay is far broader than that.
The region's prized oyster harvest depends upon the freshwater infusion. Too much salinity allows oyster predators to attack. Moreover, the drought along the Apalachicola River has hurt the tupelo trees, from which the region's tupelo honey is named.
"This is not just people versus mussels," said Ted Hoehn, a state biologist who has worked around the bay for 20 years. "It's much bigger than that."
"Blaming the mussel is like blaming the canary in the coal mine for dying," said Andrew Smith, executive director of the Apalachicola Riverkeeper, an advocacy group.
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3 States Compete for Water From Shrinking Lake Lanier
As an ecologist that is familiar with those species and their habitats, I would say that even if the Chattahoochee River went completely dry, the mussels and sturgeon would still survive through tributaries and other rivers in the area.
What it's really about is money. Florida's economy will hurt if there is not enough water coming downstream. Likewise, Alabama will not be able to sufficiently cool it's nuclear plant on the river without sufficient water levels. In Georgia, it's a matter of drinking water, but it's also a money issue because Lake Lanier brings in millions per year through recreation. Ironically, Lake Lanier was never supposed to serve as drinking water for Atlanta. As Atlanta's growth has continued at an unchecked, and alarming rate, the unintended well is running dry.
It's a very complicated issue and I believe that all states (and the Corps of Engineers) would do best to refrain from finger pointing and useless rhetoric and instead increase communications and try to reach a unilateral solution. The solution should, of course, incorporate water conservation strategies.
