October 2008

U.S. Water News Online

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Democrat Barack Obama is stepping into a three-decade water war between Alabama, Georgia and Florida and he's making Florida a priority.

Florida is also a state he's hoping to win, while Alabama and Georgia are expected to go to Republican John McCain.

Obama released a statement saying he would make protecting the Apalachicola River and Bay a priority. He's calling for a National Research Council study to ensure enough water comes into Florida to meet environmental and commercial fishing needs.

Florida believes Georgia takes too much water from the river system for municipal use.

Obama is in a tight battle with McCain over Florida's 27 electoral votes — 10 percent of what is needed to win the presidency.

In the wake of Obama’s comments, Georgia's two Republican senators are criticizing Democrat Barack Obama for saying he would make Florida's water resources “a priority” if elected president.

In a letter to Obama, Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson called Obama's remarks “unfortunate” and accused him of picking sides in the decades-long water wars among Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

Obama released a statement on Florida's water woes, saying weak river flows were crippling parts of the state's economy and environment. He said he would renew efforts to protect its water and would call for the states' governors to begin negotiating again on water sharing.

Obama's statement focused on Florida's needs, but his campaign has since said he did not intend to suggest he would put one state's interests over another.