The Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture and Consumer Affairs in the Georgia House of Representatives is praising a change in the water withdrawal permitting process with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division.
State Representative Robert Dickey, who represents Crawford County and portions of Bibb, Houston, Monroe and Peach counties, issued a statement following a decision by Governor Brian Kemp and the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) to announce what he says are “historic updates to the 2012 suspension of agricultural water withdrawal permits in portions of the Lower Flint and Chattahoochee River Basins.”
From his press release:
Starting April 1, 2025, the EPD will accept applications for groundwater withdrawal permits, which will include drought-related measures designed to protect the long-term sustainability of water resources essential to Georgia farmers and rural communities.
Since the suspension in 2012, EPD has gathered data and began limited modifications in 2023, including permits for frost protection. These actions provided the foundation for EPD’s updates and reflect their focus on balancing water resource management with the needs of Georgia’s farmers.
“This update represents a monumental achievement for Georgia agriculture and is a testament to the thoughtful, science-based approach taken by EPD to manage our state’s water resources,” said Chairman Dickey. “I want to thank the EPD for their careful and methodical approach. Farmers and agricultural leaders have been asking for this for years, and it will be transformative for our entire ag community, especially in rural Georgia where agriculture is not just an industry but a way of life. Georgia farmers are the backbone of our state’s economy, and this development strikes an important balance between protecting our natural resources and supporting the needs of our agricultural industry. I commend Governor Brian Kemp and EPD for their dedication and leadership in making this progress possible.”
More information about the modifications to the 2012 suspension may be found on EPD’s website here.
