Washington, D.C. – Alabama Gov. Bob Riley and his state's congressional delegation are renewing calls for state-level talks on Alabama's water dispute with Georgia and Florida.
Riley on Wednesday briefed Alabama lawmakers in Washington on a recent court decision that stripped Georgia of nearly all its rights to water from Lake Lanier. At a press conference, Riley said the ruling clarified major legal questions and provided a new foundation for a settlement.
Since the decision, Riley and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist have called for new talks. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue has focused on continuing legal appeals or trying to push a solution through Congress. Members of Congress say the governors should handle negotiations.
The states have been fighting for 20 years over rivers they share.
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