Solution to water woes isn't close

Solution to water woes isn't close

Monday, June 16, 2008

By BRIAN LYMAN

Capital Bureau

MONTGOMERY — A panel of lawmakers is gathering for the first time today to discuss water issues, but

Alabama remains years away from putting in place a comprehensive water management plan, despite

nearly three years of drought-like conditions and an ongoing fight with other Southern states over water

supplies.

Gov. Bob Riley and the Legislature largely ignored water issues during the 2008 legislative session, even

as Georgia, currently tussling with Alabama and Florida over access to water for the Atlanta area,

implemented its own water management plan. The only major action taken by the Alabama Legislature was

the formation of the committee to study water issues and propose solutions next year.

Today's meeting of the Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management is set to take place at

Auburn University.

State Sen. Kim Benefield, D-Woodland, who sponsored a resolution to create the committee, said that an

overall management plan will require substantial work. "It's a huge undertaking," Benefield said. "I think I

would be remiss to say, 'Oh, we can do this in six months, and everything will be perfect and completed.' I

don't think it's possible."

Drought conditions have improved somewhat since 2007, but the state remains parched, according to the

U.S. Drought Monitor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Eighty-eight percent of the state suffered from

drought or abnormally dry conditions through June 10.

"It is important to remember that from here on, it will only get warmer and drier," said Brian Atkins, director

of the state's Office of Water Resources, via e-mail.

Extreme drought conditions last year led to water rationing in the state. At one point, 1.9 million people were

living under local water restrictions, and rainfall totals were 30 inches below normal.

The drought exacerbated a long-running dispute among Alabama, Florida and Georgia over access to

water from critical river systems that serve the three states.

Alabama's overall water planning lags behind many states, and the state's Office of Water Resources has

little more than an advisory role in cases of severe drought. There are currently very few state regulations

on private water consumption. Users of more than 100,000 gallons a day must notify the Office of Water

Resources and provide annual reports, but there are otherwise no restrictions or oversight from the office.

Atkins said it would be premature to talk about future water management plans "until there is a better

understanding of the committee's goals, priorities and processes."

Experts welcomed the formation of the joint committee but said there needs to be a sense of urgency in its

deliberations.

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"Tipping points come in a real hurry, and drought or no drought, it's important to take a big picture view of

what a water policy should be," said Michael Kensler, outreach coordinator for Auburn University's Water

Resources Center.

Cindy Lowry, executive director of the Alabama Rivers Alliance, said she was "excited" about the formation

of the committee but that there was plenty of work to do. "There are things that need to be happening at the

state level," she said. "We feel this is a good step forward for the state."

The committee will have a host of issues to explore, Benefield said, from agriculture and transportation to

preserving drinking water. "The drought of '07 and '08, it's just magnified the need for a statewide plan," she

said.

At present, state government does not know how much water is within its borders, a fact that hurt it during

negotiations with the federal government and Georgia.

The Geological Survey of Alabama estimates that an assessment of the state's water resources will cost

$3.5 million to $4 million. The state's 2009 budget includes $650,000 for the study, but the funding is "firstpriority

conditional," meaning it will not be automatically appropriated. The governor may choose to fund the

project if revenue becomes available.

Riley called for the water assessment during his 2008 State of the State address, and his 2009 budget

proposal included $1 million for the project. The state's Water Resources Commission urged the governor

last fall to push for more water regulations, but Benefield's resolution was the only major water-related

action during the regular session.

A spokesman for Riley's office praised the Office of Water Resources' work with local water systems but

had no other comment.

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