Three drought states talk water allocation

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The governors of Alabama, Florida and Georgia agreed to forge an emergency drought relief agreement with federal help by February.

Gov. Charlie Crist of Florida hosted Monday's water summit in Tallahassee, Fla., and met with Govs. Bob Riley of Alabama and Sonny Perdue of Georgia to discuss the 18-year battle for fresh water made worse this year by drought, the Florida Times-Union reported.

Two river systems that originate in Georgia and flow through the two states to the south have been fought over since 1989, when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers agreed the growing city of Atlanta required more water.

Similarly, Alabama claims more water is needed to fuel growth, while in North Florida, there are concerns diminished river water will decimate oyster and shrimp harvests, the report said.

In Florida intrastate squabbling, Orlando-area officials have proposed diverting up to 250 million gallons a day from the northward-flowing river St. Johns River, pitting Jacksonville in opposition based on concerns of diminished water quality, the newspaper said.