Florida Plans to Sue Georgia over Water Usage

Florida Gov. Scott says this is the only way forward after decades of failed negotiations with Georgia.

Joined by U.S. Senator Marco Rubio, Scott made the announcement following a tour of Apalachicola Bay. He says Georgia’s water consumption is hurting the ecosystem in the area.

“We’ve got to take care of the individuals that live in this community, make sure that we get the flow of water coming down here, make sure we get their livelihoods back,” Scott says. “If we don’t take care of this, who will?”

Georgia, Alabama and Florida have been in a decades-long dispute over the water that flows from Lake Lanier. The Lake has been a source of drinking water for Metro Atlanta.

In a statement, Georgia Governor Deal says Florida’s decision to sue is a disappointment and “a frivolous waste of time and money.” He says over a year ago, Georgia offered a settlement but Florida never responded.

Low water levels have hurt Florida’s oyster industry in recent years.

On Monday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration declared a disaster for the state’s oyster fisheries.