Austin Scott: “I rise to support the Deal amendment. It is very important to our State of Georgia. Georgia is one of the fastest…”

“I rise to support the Deal amendment. It is very important to our State of Georgia. Georgia is one of the fastest growing States in this region, and because of this growth, we certainly need to make sure that we have this detrimental language, that would be very detrimental to Georgia, out of this bill. The manuals have not been updated for 50 years. Common sense would say that the corps is not operating based on the current situation in the area but on outdated population and outdated environmental information that was generated back in the 1950s. It is most important for my people that we have updated information, and that is why it is important for Mr. Deal's amendment to pass. These old, out-of-date manuals will result in a greatly increased cost of growth, inefficient and unpredictable operation of the river system, and will result in unstable water supplies for the municipalities, for the households and the businesses throughout our State of Georgia. Moreover, Mr. Chairman, for the last 15 years, the States of Georgia, Florida and Alabama have been engaged in litigation and mediation on this issue and much progress has indeed been made. But by placing this provision in the bill, Congress is now inserting itself into a situation that is best left for the State and the local entities to resolve.…”