Senate rejects Georgia's plan to form a boundary commission

NASHVILLE - The Tennessee Senate today overwhelmingly rejected now-abandoned efforts by Georgia lawmakers to form a boundary commission to examine the two states’ border.

But the battle’s not over, some lawmakers warned, because Georgia still wants Tennessee water.

Sen. Andy Berke, D-Chattanooga, sponsor of Senate Joint Resolution 919, told colleagues they will fighting Georgia for years over the state’s real objective -- access to the Tennessee River.

“Over the next decade, we’re going to be dealing with Atlanta and with Georgia on this, no matter what happens with this border,” Sen. Berke said. “They’ve been fighting with Florida. They’ve been fighting with Alabama. They’re going to be fighting with us. We may as well get prepared for the long haul on dealing with this issue and on water conservation.”

Georgia lawmakers have tried throughout the year to move the long-disputed border 1.1 miles north in an effort gain access to the Tennessee River at Nickajack Lake in Marion County.

The Tennessee chamber voted 32-0 for the resolution.

Sen. Berke said the Tennessee resolution “has already had the desired effect” in one respect, pointing out that Georgia lawmakers gave up pushing the resolution before recently adjourning their annual session.

But he alluded to last-minute action by Georgia lawmakers who, while abandoning the idea of a commission, authorized Gov. Sonny Perdue to begin border-dispute negotiations with Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen and also directed Gov. Perdue to file suit if talks fail.