Atlanta, GA – Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal's plans for new reservoir development have raised questions for residents living downstream of metro Atlanta.
They also prompted Alabama's governor to say that no new reservoirs should be built until the two states reach a settlement.
Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that if Georgia continues taking water from the federal reservoirs - and takes more from new reservoirs - it will worsen conditions for downstream communities.
Deal included $46 million in his budget proposal for reservoir development as a way of meeting Georgia's increasing demands for water.
Georgia, Alabama and Florida have been in a legal battle over the region's water rights for the past two decades.
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