From The News Service of Florida:
The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation will hold a field hearing in Franklin County about the impact of reduced water flows on Apalachicola Bay. The full committee hearing, titled “Effects of Water Flows on Apalachicola Bay: Short and Long Term Perspectives,” is set for 11 a.m. Aug. 13 at the Franklin County Courthouse. Florida, Georgia and Alabama have been in a long-running fight about water in the tri-state area. Florida officials have blamed drought conditions and a lack of freshwater flowing down the river for problems that have devastated the region’s oyster and fishing-related industries.
In May, the Senate voted 83-14 to pass the 2013 Water Resources Development Act, but only after deleting a provision backed by Sens. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., and Marco Rubio, R-Fla., that would have required Georgia to use less water from federal reservoirs for metro Atlanta’s drinking-water supply and release more to the other two states. Rubio, who is a member of the committee, requested that Chairman Jay Rockefeller, D-W.Va., and Ranking Member John Thune, R-S.D., hold the hearing.
“It is extremely important to the people of Florida that my colleagues are able to see firsthand the dire impacts the decreased water flows have had on what was once a vibrant, healthy bay, which is home to a booming oyster industry,” Rubio wrote after the hearing was announced.
“Understanding the effects of this disaster on the local community, supporting industries and regional economy are key to appreciating the significance of the Apalachicola Bay and its situation. I look forward to examining the situation further in August so that we might determine an appropriate and effective solution.”