WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Ala.), today sent a letter to Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Jo-Ellen Darcy, to express his concern regarding the ongoing update of the water control manuals for the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin. 

Of specific concern to Sen. Shelby are recent statements indicating that the Army Corps of Engineers is using a dual track analysis to update the manuals, which takes into account water supply withdrawals from Lake Lanier. Such an action would be in direct conflict with the clear federal court ruling on the matter, as well as Darcy’s public commitment to adhere to the Court’s decision.  

“In order for the three States to reach a settlement of their disputes concerning the ACF Basin, it is absolutely essential for the Corps to remain neutral,” said Shelby.  “If the Corps’ leadership is telling one of the three states that it anticipates water supply withdrawals from Lake Lanier, it almost certainly will have an obstructive effect on the settlement negotiations among the three governors.”