Atlanta isn't burning, and it is a good thing because water is in short supply up there. An October 11 news report tells us that 61 Georgia counties are short of water. Furthermore, 51 percent of Alabama and 61 percent of Tennessee have been declared drought areas. The drought may pass, but the so-called Florida Water War is heating up. Ocala, Orlando and Tampa look north to find water for their mushrooming subdivisions. The Oklawaha River is targeted for water export. Former state Senator Nancy Argenziano, now on the Florida Public Service Commission, is among the opponents of water export. She chaired a public meeting in Chiefland a couple of years ago where 1100 people were virtually unanimous in their opposition to siphoning off Suwannee River water for urban developments. The need for water is inextricably tied to real estate developments in Atlanta, Tampa and South Florida in general. There is much money at stake. Which brings us to Tallahassee. The Florida legislature may address the water/development issue or the initiative process and constitutional means may bypass the legislators. The legislators could establish impact fees and require developers to provide infrastructure before putting in the subdivision housing. Alternately, the Florida Hometown Democracy petition may put the issue before the voters in November 2008. The legislators' record of solving the property tax dilemma does not suggest future decisive action on water/development issues. Whatever the criticisms of using constitutional amendments to solve resource, medical or educational problems, the process is born of legislative inaction. The Florida Hometown Democracy initiative calls for voter approval of changes in all comprehensive land-use plans proposed by local governments. Cedar Key imports its water supply from the mainland. Furthermore, the rate of development in Cedar Key must rival that of South Florida. Water issues and development issues are local issues, so whether it is paper mill waste dumped in the Gulf, filling wetlands or export of water from the aquifer, voters need to stay informed, both of how their representative act and the argument for initiative action. | 