Editorials

Like so many who have followed the water wars between Alabama, Florida and Georgia, this page has seriously doubted if recent discussions would result in an agreement by the Friday deadline that the parties set.

The sticking point was a 2003 "secret" deal between Georgia and the U.S. Corps of Engineers that would have allowed metro Atlanta to draw out approximately 23 percent of the water in Lake Lanier, a federal reservoir. With this agreement, Georgia began its long-range plans for the allocation of what it believed was its water resources.

Alabama and Florida, once informed, were not happy. Describing it as a "massive water grab," the states went to court, arguing that taking this much from the downstream flow threatened water quality, industries, wildlife and recreation. They also contended that this agreement constituted a "major operational change" and under the Water Supply Act it required congressional approval, which it did not have.

Meanwhile, Georgia held that the agreement was legal. In negotiations with Alabama and Florida it gave little indication that it was willing to compromise.

Now it won't have to because the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled last week that the arrangement does affect the quality of water downstream to a degree that it can't go into effect without congressional approval.

Metro Atlanta, of course, is the big loser. But the winners might well be other residents along the Chattahoochee River — in Alabama, Florida and even Georgia. Without the Corps agreement, Georgia has less leverage in the ongoing negotiations. So it follows that the playing field is more level and a water-sharing arrangement that serves the needs of all is a real possibility.

It's good to feel optimistic for a change.