Southerland's Committee Takes First Step Toward Saving Apalachicola Bay

U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Steve Southerland, II applauded House Transportation Committee Chairman Bill Shuster and his committee colleagues for taking the first step toward saving Apalachicola Bay from the continued threat of water reallocation's upriver in metropolitan Atlanta.  The committee unanimously approved a resolution crafted by Shuster and Southerland that expresses Congress’s will that Florida, Georgia and Alabama work together to reach an agreement that reflects the economic and ecological impact of Georgia’s unchecked water withdrawals on all three states.

“I spoke from the heart today as one voice representing thousands of my people who are watching their communities crumble around them,” said Southerland.  “Apalachicola Bay is the last remaining lifeline for Franklin County, an area with a proud heritage that’s been crushed by storms, a fishing net ban, and mounting job losses.  If we lose this bay, local oystermen, small businesses, and hardworking families will have nowhere left to turn. 

“Make no mistake: there are no overnight fixes to this problem.  While this is an important step forward, it’s by no means the last step.  With countless lives and livelihoods at stake, I am committed to standing shoulder-to-shoulder with local leaders and the citizens who live along Apalachicola River and Bay to keep the water flowing.”

Southerland had originally introduced an amendment to the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA) that would have required the Army Corps of Engineers to receive congressional approval for water reallocation's of more than 5% of the project’s pool.  He also expressed his desire to Chairman Shuster that a Government Accountability Office study be conducted and a future hearing held evaluating the impact of Georgia’s water withdrawals on North Florida’s communities.