Montgomery, AL – Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and Attorney General Troy King have praised a federal judge's ruling that water withdrawals from Georgia's Lake Lanier to provide for Atlanta's water supply are illegal.
Riley says the ruling means more water will be available to Alabama communities downstream of the Georgia lake. Riley says the ruling will stop what he called an illegal water grab by the state of Georgia.
King said he hopes the ruling will bring officials from Alabama, Georgia and Florida back to the bargaining table to resolve a long-running dispute over water usage.
Riley says Alabama officials are ready to resume negotiations right away.
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