My husband and I were just discussing this yesterday.  We came to the conclusion that: it's one thing to protect an endangered species; it's an entirely different thing to protect an endangered species at the expense of human lives.  It's a case of environmentalism going too far. 

But what if it's not about the mussels, but they are using that excuse because people will naturally see this as another eco-wacko protection act run amok?

Since there's not link to a new story, here's one that explains the human side of the issue:

http://www.ajc.com/metro/co...

“Georgia, in essence, wants you to suspend all releases out of Lake Lanier beyond those needed for Atlanta-area water supply. That would be a radical step that would ignore the vital downstream interests of Alabama.”

Georgia has repeatedly framed its request as a contest between people in the Atlanta area and endangered mussels in Florida. Nothing could be further than the truth….Georgia ignores the fact that the Farely Nuclear Plant sits on the banks of the Chattahoochee River and requires cooling water.”

— Riley also takes issue with Georgia’s estimation that it has 80 or so days before toilets run dry. Actually, the Alabama governor said, it’s more like 260 days — and we’re coming up on the rainy season."

http://www.dailyreportonlin...

"Environmental advocates say mussels and sturgeon, which are also suffering from the drought, aren’t the reason for Georgia’s water woes. Instead, it’s out-of-control development that outpaced Atlanta’s water capacity, and the highest proportion of inefficient septic tanks of any North American city.

In addition to reducing water-outflows at Lake Lanier and other Chattahoochee River laws, there are other ways to help ease Georgia’s drought and also help re-fill Lake Lanier, said Sally Bethea, director of Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper. Georgia should focus on those measures, like stricter watering bans and more mandatory conservation requirements, rather than attacking the Endangered Species Act, she said.

“The Endangered Species Act is merely a convenient excuse,” Bethea said."

So, it seems that the water is needed for more than mussels. It's needed to provide energy to folks downstream. It also seems the growth of the population in the area wasn't properly planned for. Does that change the debate?

Water rights are indeed a touchy issue, especially if water is truly going to become a precious resource, as many say it will.  I wonder why the governors of Georgia and Alabama have such different estimates.  I also wonder what Alabama is doing to conserve water- are they making the same effort as Georgia?  I seem to find varying answers to that, probably depending on what part of the state they're in.

Growth out-pacing adequate water supply... hmm, sounds kinda familiar.  A little like Los Angeles...  Las Vegas too...  And any other dry city...Water issues come part and parcel with growth of any large city, especially one without an excess of water.  Well, maybe Atlanta can import some new water via aqueducts.  I don't know if that's a viable solution for them.  It might be too late to change the existing water structures (or it would be too expensive to be feasible) but they could certainly try things like Las Vegas- no unnatural lawns or landscaping, water-saving faucets and showerheads, recycling of non-potable water...

I'm not sure of the exact waterway they're talking about- I'm operating under the assumption that they are talking about the river that seems to run the length of the southern Georgia/Alabama border- which I think is the Chattahoochee river.  In which case, it does not go through Alabama to get to Florida- it goes through Georgia.  So is Georgia directly releasing water into Florida?  And are they releasing it because they are required to for the fish?

All this talk of water and mussels is making me thirsty and hungry. Water rights have aways baffled me. It seams like city's like LA is basically stealing water from other places.I do think common since will prevail,although it might take years to get through all the environmental wackos and and red tape. When a threatened species stands in the way of growth steps should be taken to preserve that species. If it comes down to it and water is needed then I,m sorry but a little Delta fish or fresh water mussels should not keep man from existing.

LA "imports" water ;)  But they finally got it right once some people died of cancer and whatnot from chemicals on the exposed lake bed at Owens Lake.  Now they're required to leave a certain amount of water in their sources to protect people.   Strange going up to Bishop and seeing signs everywhere that say "Property of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power".  At the same time, LA needs water and the Sierras have water, so whomever owns the land owns the water (unless otherwise specified-- I know in Tehachapi, we don't own mineral rights on our land). 

I'm not sure how it's done between states- I assume 50-50 when the river is a border, but who knows.  If it is 50-50, I think Georgia has every right to shut down it's half of the river... but then again, the source is in Georgia (I think) so maybe Georgia owns 100%?  No idea...  I know it's a huge deal in a whole lot of countries, especially in Europe.  Probably one of the motivating forces behind the creation of the EU.

yo fish do it in the water so i drink hoosgow pruno 

Bacteria and/or yeast do it in the pruno (where do you think the alcohol comes from...)... :)

yo scottso you want some of me.......

yo scottso you dont wana get on bad side. keep it up and i will put you on my you can kiss my azz club, you dont wana be in that club!

Remember this next time you consider voting for one of those environmental protection ballot measures. Eco wackos are destroying our culture and economy. It's like welfare in the early days. Originally a good idea but now has been taken to extreme and we are reaping the negative affects. The nuts just can't leave well enough alone. Oh, and did you here that the wildfires in So Cal are all Bush's fault? Is that Bush's as in President Bush or bushes as in the stuff burning?

hammer's post is a perfect example of what I was talking about. Even though it's perfectly clear that the Governor of Georgia is just using the mussels issue to rally support for his side, folks like hammer fall for it hook, line, & sinker. They don't look at the larger issue of water rights & supplying folks downstream with energy & water. All they see is the bumper-sticker version of the story. Just scratch the surface of the "people vs. species" red herring and anyone can see it's not about the mussels!

It's so much easier to blame the environmentalists. Not the governor of Georgia for misframing the issue, not the Army Corp of Engineers for hiding behind the EPA, & certainly not the planning department of Atlanta for allowing such widespread growth without regard to infrastructure.

Look deeper & you'll be amazed at the complexity of the problem; just read one side, and you're misled down a garden path.

ooochild, you are absolutely right. It isn't just about the mussels. But why is Atlanta the only place under draught level IV? If the people and businesses down stream need and use the water, they too need to bear some of the responsibility to conserve, and I think the mussels should be last on the list of priorities.

"Georgia should focus on those measures, like stricter watering bans and more mandatory conservation requirements, rather than attacking the Endangered Species Act..." 

I would like to ask Ms. Bethea why it is only Georgia who should focus...if Alabama and Florida benefit from the water from Lake Lanier, then they too should share the responsibility of conservation. I haven't heard of any restrictions in those states. How much stricter can Georgia go? A $1000.00 fine for having a green lawn and the water turned off. To have it turned back on, another $1000.00. Flushing toilets only after a crap. Using bath/shower water to flush toilets. Dead houseplants. Buying bottled water for drinking and cooking. The list goes on.

I'm all for protecting the environment (what about the superheated water runoff from the nuke power plant? Catch fish already cooked) but the mussels shouldn't get the water needed by humans.

California is headed in that direction. LA was once a desert, it may be again...