Homestead mailing list

[EarthNSky <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

As you probably all are aware, the Southeast is in the middle of one of
the worst droughts on record.  At my home, we are 17 inches under where
we should be, and the ground is cracked and dry.  There has been no rain
to speak of in months. Luckily, the well is holding its own, but we
conserve and we live in an area of the state that generally gets more
rain(56+ inches on a normal year) than the rest of the state.  Those who
rely on public water sources are not as lucky.  You may have read about
all the controversy, but if you have been under a rock, here's a story
with dramatic pictures that is representative of the situation.
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/US/10/18/pip.atlantadrought/index.html
 All of Georgia's reservoirs are so low that boating is prohibited in
north GA lakes.  Even wells are drying up.  I hate to say it, but we
need a few tropical storms for rain. At any rate, on to the controversy
and question...
Do you think it is right for the Corp of Engineers to continue to
release water in order to protect endangered species like freshwater
mussels and sturgeon when millions of people across 3 states rely on the
reservoir from which the water is drained?  Or, since there is no data
on how much water the various species need, should water be conserved in
the reservoir(Lake Lanier in this case)for human consumption in the
event this drought continues into next year(which it is likely to do)?
What takes precedence-the survival of animals/environment or the
survival of the people/economy.  This is no longer a hypothetical
question here, as the state is in at least a temporary crisis.  I know 
that other areas of the country have similar dilemmas.

Bev
--
Bevanron of EarthNSky Farm   Sleep well tonight, for somewhere in the
ocean's depths, MY son is protecting YOUR freedom.