Georgia hopes for water wars appeal

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – The state of Georgia is waiting on a federal court to decide on hearing an appeal in its water war with Alabama and Florida.

WABE's Charles Edwards reports

Georgia wants to plead its case to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. The state disagrees with US District Judge Paul Magnuson. This summer, Magnuson decided Georgia has been illegally taking water from Lake Lanier.

Later, Georgia asked the judge to make his decision a final judgment. He said no because final judgments give legal parties relief. Magnuson said his decision gave nothing to Alabama and Florida. It just told the 3 states to work out a water deal or else.

Without a final judgment, Georgia might not get an appeal says WABE legal analyst Page Pate.

PATE: "Although the court has made its ruling known on certain issues there has not been a final judgment and normally in a federal case you have to have a final judgment before you can take it to the higher court."

However, Pate says there have been exceptions.

In the meantime, Georgia is working on a water deal and a plan B for water supply.

Charles Edwards, WABE News.