Moratorium on Water Permits for Flint River Basin to be Lifted

Moratorium on Water Permits for Flint River Basin to be Lifted

EPD, Stakeholder Advisory Committee Complete Water Development and Conservation Plan

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue and Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) Director Carol Couch announced today that the moratorium on new farm-use water permits will be lifted in the Flint River Basin Region.

“I am very pleased for Southwest Georgia that we can lift this moratorium on new water permits for the region’s farmers,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “Not only is this good policy, based on sound science, it is great news for the region and the state. The steps we are taking strike a proper balance between the importance of water conservation and supporting Georgia’s agriculture industry.”

EPD developed the Flint River Basin Regional Water Development and Conservation Plan based on recommendations of a stakeholder advisory committee and technical findings of several sound science studies. The plan will better manage the water resources of the state's Flint River Basin, while meeting the irrigation water needs of the region's farmers. The 19-member stakeholder advisory committee, which met during a year-long series of public meetings, consisted of farmers, business people and others from throughout the area.

“The scientific studies show that increased pumping of groundwater and surface water, especially during times of drought, can have a significant impact on the health of the Flint River and its many tributaries,” said EPD Director Carol A. Couch. “Protecting this important water resource will help address the long-term irrigation needs of the region’s farmers. In accomplishing this objective, I am grateful to Senators John Bulloch, Ross Tolleson and George Hooks, and Representatives Bob Hanner, Richard Royal and Tom McCall for their assistance and counsel.”

EPD has held farm-use water withdrawal permit applications since 1999, pending results of the scientific studies and development of a water management plan. The moratorium on new farm-use permits will be lifted, but applications will be closely evaluated to meet the requirements of the plan.

The goals of the plan, as defined by statute, are to promote conservation and reuse of water, guard against a shortage of water, promote the efficient use of water resources, manage the water resources of the Flint River Basin such that they are sustainable and consistent with the public welfare.

Permitting decisions will be based on the requested amount of water, the connections between groundwater and surface water as determined by computer models, the impact of water withdrawals on stream flows and the presence of endangered or threatened species.

The Flint River Basin Regional Water Development and Conservation Plan will be posted on the Georgia Flint River Basin Plan Web site at http://www.gadnr.org/frbp/index.html on Monday, March 20, 2006.

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