This is just to name the major legal players. Countless other people are impacted by how water is allocated in the ACF Basin, though they may not have legal standing to bring suit. The waters have extensive recreational and aesthetic value, which serve both economic and emotional purposes. The unpredictable flow of the Chattahoochee River and rise and fall of Lake Lanier hurts the economic interest of adjacent landowners and recreational outfitters. Countless individuals use the waters of the ACF Basin for boating, fishing, and other recreational purposes. These are just the economic uses. An un-quantifiable value lies in the sheer beauty of the area. People buy and rent homes in the area for the aesthetic value. People hike, bird-watch, and camp in the area for the aesthetic value. These incidental users have largely been reduced to the sidelines as state leaders continually fail to reach compromise.
The Death of the American South
Over the next 45 years rapid urban sprawl will dramatically affect the American Southeast, possibly altering the very essence of what the South represents both socially and environmentally. The South, for many […]
Bees in the City: Is Your Urban Apiary Illegal?
Updated 24-Feb-2018. Despite a Georgia law that appears to prohibit local governments from regulating backyard honeybee-keeping, some municipalities are passing ordinances that restrict aspects of backyard beekeeping. While honeybees have gained a mainstream following, our local native bees are the hero pollinators that deserve much more love.
Drought Mitigation, Promotion of Bike Lanes, Rattlesnake Protections; Just A Few Things Passed by the 2014 Georgia Legislature
Last week the Georgia Legislature wrapped up a session that proved to be pretty good for supporters of sustainable land use and environmental policies. The legislature passed bills that protect critical habitat and water […]
The Latest Setback for Rails-to-Trails is Courtesy of the US Supreme Court
Yesterday, in an 8-1 decision, the US Supreme Court ruled that the federal government has no right to certain property previously used by railroad companies. This is a major setback for advocates […]
The Georgia Senate Likes Environmental Buffer Zones as Does the US Supreme Court
A proposed bill by Georgia state senator Steve Gooch aims to give local governments more control over land use regulation. Senator Gooch introduced a bill last month that would allow local governments to submit […]
Georgia Cities Should Embrace the Growing Popularity of Bike-Share Programs
After a few weeks off for exams and holiday, here is a quick post related to a recent USA Today article on the growing popularity of bike-share programs throughout the country. While New […]
The Fire-Ravaged West Faces the Same Land Use Issues as the Water-Starved Southeast
Last September the Denver Post reported on the growing need to find solutions to prevent wildfires that have become increasingly devastating. Not only are the fires causing huge economic losses for homeowners […]