The Clean Water Initiative Task Force organized by the Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and the Regional Business Coalition, voted 80 percent to 20 percent in favor of a proposal to develop and implement regional solutions to the area's mounting wastewater, stormwater runoff and water supply problems.
The final proposal, which calls on 16 metro counties to collaborate on regional water quality solutions, now goes to Governor Roy Barnes and the General Assembly. Lawmakers will have to approve new legislation for key aspects of the plan to be implemented.
Termed "Option Four" by the task force, the final proposal was built on key elements of recent proposals put forth by business leaders, local elected officials and conservationists who have served on the panel since it was established last May.
"Our objective from the outset was to develop a practical, effective plan that could be supported by the range of stakeholders who will have to be involved to make this work … We believe we have done that," said Bill Dahlberg, chairman and CEO of Southern Co. and co-chair of the CWI Task Force.
SOURCE: PRNewswire