By Associated Press
Tallahassee FL – Florida wants the federal government to reassess the flow of water in the Chatthoochee River.
The state's environmental chief says the Army Corps of Engineers needs to review further how reductions in the flow from Georgia affects the health of the Apalachicola River and bay.
The corps last month released a plan that would allow Georgia to keep more water in north Georgia's Lake Lanier, reducing flows downstream into Alabama and Florida.
Florida opposes reductions of the amount of water flowing into the Apalachicola River, which is fed by the Chattahoochee and Flint River. It fears damage to species at the river's mouth, which would hurt the seafood industry there.
Mike Sole, secretary of the Florida Department of Enviromental Protection says, says reduced flow is increasing salinity in the bay and already killing oysters. He said the corps is required to consider affects of flow decisions on various species, but hasn't provided Florida with information to show it has considered data about mussel mortality.
A spokeswoman says the corps has received the letter and is reviewing Florida's concerns.
Gov. Perdue, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist, and Alabama Gov. Bob Riley are scheduled to meet in Tallahassee on December 17th to continue discussions about how to share the water in the river basin.