While the Atlanta area may be rejoicing in this ruling, those Georgians south of the Atlanta area, specifically southwest Georgia, are not so ecstatic. I would urge you to remember that there are many, many Georgians outside of the Atlanta area that also depend upon the waters flowing southward, like the Flint River.

It seems that in the case of the water issues, that what is good for Atlanta is not by default good for the remainder of the state. The southern part of the state has traditionally struggled to attract significant businesses to the area. If you think that the Atlanta area’s business prospects have been dampened by the unsettled water questions, imagine rural-type communities that are desiring to improve their economic outlook that don’t have any significant established industries to fall back on.

I don’t profess to be an expert in the ongoing litigation concerning the water supplies and Lake Lanier, but I do know enough to know that water that is tapped off of Lake Lanier for the Atlanta Metro area means less water flowing to the southern part of the state.

Again, I urge you to consider the remainder of the state in such issues, specifically these ongoing water issues.

Sincerely yours,

Keith D. Sellars

Bainbridge, Ga.