Drought Forces Georgia Governor to Declare a State of Emergency

Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue is hot under the collar about the record-breaking drought that has left a parched swath across much of the Southeastern United States and could have long-lasting effects on farms and businesses in the region.

On Saturday, Perdue declared a state of emergency in 85 of Georgia’s 159 counties and tried to light a fire under President Bush, urging him to issue a federal disaster designation that would empower the president to control the release of water from Lake Lanier, make federal funds available to state and local governments for drought relief, and provide low-interest loans to Georgia businesses hurt by the drought.

Perdue blames the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the U.S. Department of Fish and Wildlife for “putting mussels in front of people” and draining water from Lake Lanier that he and many other state officials believe should be held in reserve as drinking water for people in Atlanta and many of the surrounding counties.

"We are experiencing the single worst drought in Georgia history," Perdue said at a press conference. "On top of that, we are mired in a manmade disaster of federal bureaucracy."

Officials estimate that within 80 days Lake Lanier will be at the “dead pool level,” which means the water level will be lower than the pipes used to carry it out of the lake. At that point, special equipment would be needed to retrieve it.

Despite those predictions, the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers says that people in the Atlanta area are in no immediate danger of going thirsty. They estimate the current supply of drinking water in Lake Lanier could keep Atlanta and the surrounding region supplied for several months.

Carol Couch, director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, disagrees. While the lake may have enough potential drinking water by volume for the next few months, Couch says it will not be high quality and will contain more sediment and minerals than usual. As a result, Couch said, the water is likely to have a different taste and color even after it is treated.

Also read:

• Georgia declares state of emergency over drought -- Reuters
• Perdue Declares State of Emergency Due to Drought -- The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
• What is Drought?
• What are the Effects of Drought?
• Dust Bowl 2006: More Than 60 Percent of U.S. in Drought