97.5 Glory FM has confirmed from various sources that the new state budget, which Gov. Kemp signed a week ago, does not include the two million dollars that was destined for a study of the foul taste and odor of the water in Lake Lanier which surfaced last fall.
Two members of the Hall County state legislative delegation, Sen. Drew Echols (R-Gainesville) and Rep. Matt Dubnik (R-Gainesville), had fought to have the money included in the spending plan.
The study would have focused on the lake and the Chattahoochee River. It was intended to evaluate water conditions and recommend ways to treat and manage as problems that were found.
Kemp’s veto of the allocation cited needs to keep the budget balanced following tax cuts that were approved this year that will reduce state income.
EARLIER STORY. POSTED APRIL 3. Echols applauds funding for Lanier taste & odor study
EARLIER STORY. POSTED FEBRUARY 24: Dubnik, Echols hold hearing to address water odor, taste concerns
EARLIER STORY. POSTED FEBRUARY 6: Gville explores ‘modern’ solution to unprecedented lake water taste, odor