Published: May 13, 2008 02:35 pm      

Perdue signs water bill

Governor Perdue Signs Water Conservation

and Drought Relief Act of 2008

Measure will increase water reservoir capacity, add water-saving devices to sales tax holiday



GAINESVILLE, Ga—Today on the banks of a depleted Lake Lanier, Governor Sonny Perdue signed the Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act of 2008, SB 342. The legislation will expedite the construction of new reservoirs throughout the state.

“After facing one of the worst droughts in our state’s history, we are taking the necessary steps to ensure an adequate water supply that meets future needs,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “This legislation will speed the construction of new reservoirs by consolidating the state’s efforts and partnering with local governments.”

The Water Conservation and Drought Relief Act of 2008 brings state agencies together to ease reservoir construction and expansion. The Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will assist local governments’ efforts to expedite aspects of permitting for new reservoir applications.

Speaker Glenn Richardson, Sen. Chip Pearson, the sponsor of the legislation, and Chris Clark, executive director of the Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority (GEFA), participated in the bill signing event with Governor Perdue.

“Today we have taken a great step towards ensuring our state is not faced with the extreme situation the current drought has caused,” said Speaker Glenn Richardson. “We are protecting our natural resources and creating the needed infrastructure by preparing now for future rain shortages.”

“During this time of drought, we have all witnessed the importance of working to increase our water supply in order to avoid future water shortages,” said Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle. “This has been a high priority of mine and by signing this bill into law today, we are taking the steps necessary to assure our state will capture more rainfall and meet the water needs of our state.”

This legislation creates a Water Supply Division (WSD) and establishes the Georgia Reservoir Fund (GRF) within GEFA. The WSD will assist local governments with the reservoir and water supply permitting process in coordination with EPD. The WSD may also plan, design, acquire, construct, operate, manage and maintain new reservoirs on behalf of local governments. The GRF will be used for allocating the reservoir and water system infrastructure funds recommended by the Governor and approved by the General Assembly.

“SB 342 is a great tool to help us build the basic infrastructure our citizens need and expect government to provide,” said Sen. Chip Pearson, the sponsor of the legislation. “The challenge will be to keep the resolve we have today when the rains return, which they always do.”

Initial funding for the Georgia Reservoir Fund was included in the Amended FY 2008 and FY 2009 budgets. In the Amended FY 2008 budget, Governor Perdue recommended, and the General Assembly appropriated, $40 million in grants for local governments to develop reservoirs. In the FY 2009 budget, the Governor recommended, and the General Assembly approved, $30 million in loans for local governments.

“During this drought, GEFA has provided emergency grants and loans to a variety of communities across the state,” said GEFA Executive Director Chris Clark. “While Georgia may never be drought proof, we are doing the things necessary to better prepare ourselves for the next drought, and all the ones that will follow.”

The legislation also seeks to minimize government expansion by requiring the WSD to use existing staff and the private sector to fulfill its mission.

“We were happy to pass a bill that will give local governments the tools to develop an adequate water supply for generations to come,” said Rep. Mike Coan. “I want to commend the Governor, not only for signing this bill, but also his leadership on the financial commitment towards this initiative. Without dedicated monies, this bill does nothing.”

One final provision of this legislation emphasizes the importance of water-efficient products by extending the same sales tax break to qualified water-saving items during the upcoming sales tax holiday.

Governor Perdue was also joined at the event today by Rep. James Mills, Rep. Bobby Reese, Rep. Mike Coan, Rep. Carl Rogers, DNR Commissioner Noel Holcomb, EPD Director Carol Couch and Executive Director of the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission Brent Dykes.

For more information on this bill, visit www.legis.state.ga.us.