Reservoirs

October 7, 2009 -- Washington, D.C.- Today, Congressman Brian Baird (D-WA-03) announced $3 million in federal stimulus dollars is coming to Washougal to help pay for a new one-million gallon water reservoir. The money comes as a loan from the Department of Agriculture as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

"Clark County is one of the fastest growing regions in the entire Pacific Northwest," said Congressman Baird. "This funding from the Recovery Act will help Washougal build its water infrastructure to meet the demands of an increasing population, and provide a foundation for future economic strength and prosperity."    » read more »

Shell Oil Co. Wants Nearly One-Tenth of Water for Dirty Oil Shale Development

February 27, 2009 -- STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, CO - The Sierra Club is fighting to protect a key river in northwestern Colorado from a water grab by the oil industry.

In December, Shell Oil Co. applied to state water court for rights to divert nearly one-tenth of the Yampa River's water into a massive reservoir, where it would be kept for future development of oil shale, an unproven fossil fuel that requires tremendous quantities of water and energy to produce.

In an effort to protect the Yampa River and the fish, wildlife, and communities that depend on it, the Sierra Club filed a statement of opposition in Colorado Water Court today to block Shell's request.    » read more »

02/26/2009 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today issued the following statement on Senator Dave Cogdill’s (R-Modesto) introduction of SB 371:

“Despite the recent rainstorms, California would still need to see weeks of drenching rain to avoid an extreme drought situation this summer. Our water crisis underscores the urgent need to update California’s water infrastructure so we are able to capture excess rain in wet years and have the necessary reserves in dry years like this one-this is critical to our economy, our jobs, our environment and our way of life.    » read more »

February 25, 2009 -- AUSTIN – Texas Governor Rick Perry today emphasized the need to fund the State Water Plan, which would ensure a cost-effective and reliable supply of water for Texas’ growing population well into the future. Speaking at the Texas Water Conservation Association (TWCA) Conference, the governor proposed that funding be provided to a new infrastructure account to speed the construction of water reservoir sites.

“The issues that surround our need for water demand frank conversations, visionary planning and tough choices,” Gov. Perry said. “I am convinced that the time to adequately preserve and allocate our water supply is now, so that our children and grandchildren will have access to this life-giving resource for the next 50 years.”    » read more »

Jan. 23, 2009 -- HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell reiterated his support today for ongoing efforts to further reduce the risk of future flooding along the Delaware River and called for an additional measure to protect residents and communities throughout the basin.

Since Dec. 13, 1.5 billion of gallons of water—the maximum amount allowed—have been released daily from the reservoirs, creating space to accommodate seasonal precipitation.

Governor Rendell has called for the daily maximum release to continue and has requested that New York City further increase this daily amount to lower reservoir levels.    » read more »

August 12, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY -- “Today’s court order means that the end is in sight for the 18-year-old water war litigation concerning Atlanta’s water withdrawals at Lake Lanier,” said Governor Riley. “The federal appellate court in Washington has already validated Alabama’s position that Atlanta’s future water supply plans violated federal law. Alabama believes that Atlanta’s current withdrawals also violate federal law, and we are pleased that the federal court has placed that issue on a fast-track for resolution.”    » read more »

Governor Perdue Announces Modifications to Restrictions on the Filling of Swimming Pools

February 6, 2008 -- ATLANTA— Today Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue signed HR 1022, the Statewide Water Management Plan, that will guide Georgia in managing its water resources. The newly enacted plan will utilize the state’s water resources in a sustainable manner; will support the state’s economy, will protect public health and natural systems, and will enhance the quality of life for all citizens. The resolution was sponsored by Rep.    » read more »

February 05, 2008 -- MONTGOMERY - Alabama Governor Bob Riley hailed a major victory today for Alabama in its long-running water war with Georgia.    » read more »

GEFA Board of Directors Approves Loan Package Today

January 29, 2008 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today the approval of $31.7 million in loans to finance water, sewer and reservoir infrastructure improvements, including nine Georgia Fund loan agreements totaling $21.1 million and a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan of $10.6 million.    » read more »

December 13, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) personally called Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne asking him to immediately review a National Park Service decision preventing an important flood protection project in Lake County, Illinois – the Buffalo Creek Reservoir Project – from moving forward. This project is an essential component of an overall flood containment plan for the Des Plaines River which flooded again last August.    » read more »

November 16, 2007 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue issued the following statement today following the announcement by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service that it concurs with the Corps of Engineers’ recommendation to reduce flows and allow storage of rainfall in Georgia reservoirs.    » read more »

Unprecedented Cooperation from Federal Agencies Leads Governor to Drop Legal Action

November 06, 2007 -- ATLANTA – Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue announced today that the state of Georgia has withdrawn its motion for preliminary injunction filed against the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The motion was filed on October 19 in the Middle District of Florida to require the Corps to alter the Interim Operations Plan (IOP).    » read more »

Governor and U.S. Senators Argue Case for Modification of IOP to Reduce Flows from Reservoirs

October 26, 2007 -- ATLANTA – Today Governor Sonny Perdue met with United States Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne and Chairman of the White House Council on Environmental Quality James Connaughton to discuss Georgia’s drought and the implications of the Corps of Engineers’ Interim Operations Plan (IOP), which governs the release of water from the state’s reservoirs into Florida’s Apalachicola Bay.    » read more »

EPD to direct permit holders to reduce withdrawals by 10 percent compared to last winter

October 23, 2007 -- ATLANTA - Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue today directed the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to modify current surface water and groundwater withdrawal and drinking water permits to achieve a 10 percent reduction in withdrawals for permit holders in the 61 North Georgia counties covered under the Level 4 drought designation.    » read more »

Governor Joined by Congressmen, Lt. Governor, State Legislators to call on President for Action

October 20, 2007 -- ATLANTA- Today on the banks of a withering Lake Lanier, Governor Sonny Perdue announced the designation of 85 counties in Georgia under a state of emergency due to Georgia’s prolonged drought.    » read more »