Water War Deadline Extended

WASHINGTON (AP) - Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne says he
will remain involved in water-sharing negotiations among Alabama,
Florida and Georgia, extending a Friday deadline for "at least a
week" to allow the governors to continue discussions.
In a written statement, Kempthorne said he believes the states
have made real progress toward an agreement.
He said he remains committed to resolving the long-standing
issues and knows the three governors are also.
The regional water dispute centers on how much water the Army
Corps of Engineers holds back in federal reservoirs near the head
of two river basins in north Georgia that flow south into Florida
and Alabama.
The governors had been slated to reach a long-term pact Friday
but didn't.
"I am disappointed that the three states were not able to reach a long-term solution for either of the two river basins by today,” said Governor Bob Riley. “Alabama has decided to go the extra mile and agree to a brief extension of the negotiating period in the hope that a breakthrough will occur."

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)