April 1, 2021-Today the US Supreme Court delivered disheartening news in concluding the FL v GA case. The justices offered no resolution for equitable sharing of the water of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-River system. The case was dismissed with no relief for the Apalachicola River and Bay system. While this legal case has ended, it does not conclude the work to be done in protecting the Apalachicola River and Bay.
River flow is the lifeblood of the swamps, streams, and estuary of the Apalachicola River and Bay ecosystem. Upstream water management and flow regulation have failed to address downstream realities. Fundamental changes in water management and flow regulation policies, along with strong water conservation programs throughout the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint basin, are urgently needed. This includes drought planning. The water of the ACF Basin can and must be shared fairly.
Apalachicola Riverkeeper remains committed to the protection and restoration of the Apalachicola River, Floodplain and Bay. This includes a multi-year slough restoration project, a legal challenge to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers over ACF water management in federal court, and participation in the Apalachicola Bay System Initiative and ACF Stakeholders collaboration. The ACF Stakeholders produced a Sustainable Water Management Plan in 2015, offering a step forward for the equitable sharing of water by Alabama, Florida and Georgia in the ACF Basin. We urge the state leadership of Alabama, Georgia and Florida to collaboratively review this plan.
Additionally, we encourage everyone (in all states) to let your respective elected officials know that you care about the ecological health of Apalachicola River and Bay and expect continued focus on the equitable management of water in the ACF Basin.
Complete US Supreme Court ruling
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