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WASHINGTON, D.C.— Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) succeeded today in his efforts to push for Congress to examine the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint (ACF) water sharing issue. After many conversations with his colleagues in the House of Representative and persistent calls for a congressional hearing, Congressman Boyd announced that the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on March 11 to discuss the drought in the southeast and its effects on the ACF system.
“I am hopeful that a congressional hearing will allow us to thoroughly examine this complex issue, so that our findings can complement and advance the negotiations between the three states,” said Congressman Boyd. “For almost 20 years, the ACF water sharing disagreements have presented numerous challenges on the local, state, and federal levels. In order for us to successfully and responsibly address this issue, we must look at the big picture and tackle both our short term and long term problems.”
Congressman Boyd has been asked to select an ACF expert to testify at the congressional hearing. To make sure that the concerns of Florida’s stakeholders are considered, Congressman Boyd will reach out to the Riparian County Stakeholder Coalition to designate a representative to testify before Congress.
The Riparian County Stakeholder Coalition was formed late last year so that Florida’s stakeholders could be a strong and unified voice on the ACF issue. The coalition is comprised of representatives from Franklin, Gulf, Jackson, Gadsden, Liberty, and Calhoun Counties and includes Florida’s chief stakeholders along the Apalachicola River. The coalition meets regularly and hopes to gain recognition from the state of Florida so that its members—as Florida’s stakeholders—can offer their input in the state’s negotiations with Georgia and Alabama.
“There is no one better to describe the plight of the communities that depend on the Apalachicola River and Bay than one of our leading stakeholders on the Riparian Coalition,” Boyd stated. “Those of us in North Florida are committed to making sure that Florida’s resources are protected. After years of disputes, I am eager to come together with our neighbors to develop a reasonable and long term water management solution so that we do not find ourselves in this difficult and damaging situation year after year.”
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