Despite the efforts from members of the 1071 Coalition and others, the Georgia EPD did not request the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue the reduced releases from Buford Dam beyond April 30. In a letter to the 1071 Coalition, Dr. Carol Couch, EPD Director, responded that the department's technical analysis which supported EPD's October request regarding the withdrawals found that "increasing water temperatures in the River beyond April 30 could post threats to the fishery, particularly below Morgan Falls Dam."

While this is disappointing news, members of the 1071 Coalition must remain focused on the larger picture of working with the Corps in its current update of the water control manual for the ACF basin, which sets guidelines for how much water should be released from Lanier and under what circumstances. The 1071 Coalition will hold a meeting on June 3 featuring a presentation and discussion with Jerry Barnes, Special Assistant and Director of the Southeast Water Manual Update for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1071 Coalition members and guests are encouraged to attend this very important meeting.