Carl Camon’s Commitment To Water In Georgia

Water is our greatest natural resource, and it is necessary for our survival. The past few years our state has been confronted with water shortages, created by a lack of rain. These conditions were so severe that it prompted the Governor to publicly pray for rain. I wholeheartedly supported the Governor’s decision to pray. However, in addition to his actions, he and the leaders of our state should have devised a clear plan to provide water for the citizens of Georgia. No human can make it rain, but we all can plan to collect and retain the rain that we do receive. I am disappointed in the fact that this decade long "Water Battle" between the states of Georgia, Florida, and Alabama hasn't been resolved. Regardless of what future Congressional actions may be, as Governor, I would take action immediately. We've known for quite sometime that Atlanta and the other affected Metro-Atlanta Counties were in danger of possibly losing access to Lake Lanier. The three-year deadline given by Judge Magnuson is a wake-up call for our state and its leaders. As Governor, I wouldn't have been asleep, especially considering the fact that this could very well become a state of emergency. Just recently the state hired an attorney at the rate of over $800.00 an hour to represent us. As governor, I would have made an effort to sit down at the table with the governors of the Alabama and Florida and would have tried to come to some agreement. As Mayor, I traveled to Washington, D.C. at least twice a year, on city business. If I were governor, I would have traveled to Washington, to build a coalition of Congressional support, before I would have allowed it to reach this level.

Carl’s Plan To Address Water Needs In Georgia

1. Immediately expand reservoirs that can be expanded, which would provide greater capacity for the collection of water, and build new ones if necessary.

2. Change the mission of some of the twenty-five major reservoirs that are not currently used for water consumption, so that they may be used for that purpose.

3. Use current data regarding underground sources of water and dig wells to help provide water to areas with the greatest need.

4. Initiate a statewide water usage conservation plan that educates citizens on the importance of water conservation.

5. Install of water-free urinals in all state buildings, and encourage the usage of the urinals in schools and in new construction projects.

6. Provide grants via Community Development Block Funds, to assist cities in repairing leaking water pipes within their infrastructure and within residential dwellings.

7. Rebuild a cordial relationship with the Governors of Alabama and Florida, in an effort to come to an agreement on the usage of Lake Lanier that would be acceptable by Congress.

8. Divert water from an alternate lake to areas of Georgia in the greatest need, if necessary.

9. Encourage the usage of more water treatment facilities, in an effort to recycle water.

10. Conduct studies on desalinization and create a contingency plan to be used as last resort.