The more than 20 inches of rain that has been filling Lake Lanier despite releases at Buford Dam should not give us a sense of relief concerning the tri-state water dispute.

The imposed deadline for agreement is not affected by the recent rains and who knows what the weather and Corps management will bring over the next three years.

I hope Governor Perdue and the State's team will continue to put pressure on this issue as if the problem was as obvious as it was before the deluge.

To no one's surprise, in court filings this week, the state of Georgia, the Atlanta Regional Commission and other local governments served notice they will appeal U.S. District Judge Paul Magnuson's July 17 ruling that said Atlanta cannot rely on Lake Lanier for its water needs. The Georgia parties are seeking to overturn the order in the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Even though the 11th Circuit has to decide whether to allow the appeals process to begin now or not (if it determines Magnuson's order constitutes an injunction the appeal will be allowed), this move should put some pressure on the other states, judging by their reactions.

Did I read this correctly in the AJC? They are reporting that the Gwinnett County Commission approved a bond resolution that includes a pipeline to run treated water from the Crooked Creek and Yellow River water reclamation facilities to Lake Lanier.

Complete article: http://www.ajc.com/news/gwinnett/gwinnett-to-issue-bonds-139296.html

The Atlanta Breast Cancer 3 Day, part of a 15 city tour that benefits Susan G. Komen for the Cure, is a 60 mile walk beginning at Lake Lanier and ending at Turner Field. The 2009 walk will take place October 23-25 and cover historic areas of the city. Start a team or walk as an individual!

For more specific information regarding start/finish points, start time and to register go to:

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/Walk/AtlantaEvent?fr_id=1291&pg=entry

There has been so much recently about this water war, and I've read about the negotiations between the states involved, and the issues at hand, but I'd really like to find out on a grass roots level how it all affects people.

How is the operation of the Lake Lanier water basin and the management (or mismanagement) of it by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers affecting every-day folks.

If you're from Alabama, let's hear how this issue really affects you. Same for you in Florida.

Other than a few agenda-driven, career-making activists, do you even really care?

There is no question that low water levels at Lanier have both a psychological impact on people that see the lake and an incredibly bad-for-business impact on the local economy and housing market.

My real question is: would a full pool at Lanier have these kind of disastrous effects downstream or not.

Be honest.

The final day of the Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference went through lunch and featured another Internet marketing session and an appearance by Governor Sonny Perdue.

Speaking at Lunch, Governor Perdue couldn't avoid talking about the future of Lake Lanier. He reiterated the state's position of negotiation, more reservoir construction and conservation and added that if the ruling stands there are many more reservoirs in other states across the nation that would be facing similar problems that could lea to more law suits and need further congressional action. He also stated again that the first thing that must happen in Lake Lanier's case is for the Governors of all three states involved to come to an agreement.

Perdue also warned that legislators should not build budgets that are reliant on Federal stimulus money as those funds are spread out over a period of years and then goes away abruptley.

The conference adjourned after lunch with the 350 attendees, sponsors and exhibitors heading back to their businesses equiped to ultilize everything they learned here and hopefully leverage the relationships and new connections they made here over the past few days.

• Click here for our recap of day one at the Governor's conference.
• Click here for our recap of day two at the Governor's conference.

Better weather and several sessions on utilizing online tools marked the second day of the Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference. Susan Sweeny spoke about the history of marketing on the internet and how today's technology can be leveraged for brand building and to increase sales.

Sweeny held a session on the past, present and future of online marketing; podcasting; and social media. More than a few eyes were opened as to how sites such as FaceBook, YouTube and to a lesser degree Twitter, among others, can be used to drive product and services sales. She will open her own bag of tricks tomorrow and share the online tools and resources she uses on a daily basis.

Tomorrow will also feature the Governor's Lunch and Awards Ceremony to be attended by Governor Perdue himself.

But now it's time to get ready for a lakeside concert and a little Texas Hold 'Em tournament!

Click here for our recap of day one at the Governor's conference.

The Georgia Governor's Tourism Conference got underway this afternoon at The Legacy Lodge at Lake Lanier Islands Resort and the rain did not dampen any spirits. 

Peter Yesawich, Chairman and CEO of Ypartnership, got things underway as opening speaker focusing on marketing travel and leisure in difficult economic times. 

The exhibition hall included travel and hospitality companies such as AAA Auto Club, Southern Living, Jack Rabbit System and Book Direct, just to name a few.

A pool party for sponsors and attendees (which, unfortunately, this blogger is not able to attend) is underway as I write this at the Lake Lanier Islands Water Park. After the pool party, Windows Restaurant is hosting a Texas Hold 'Em tournament that I'm even more disappointed to miss.

The weather should be better on day two and I'm looking forward to tomorrow's sessions which include three featuring Susan Sweeny discussing online marketing trends, podcasting, and social media.

Day two, the only full day of the event, should bring an even stronger turn out and I'm looking forward to forming new relationships and building existing ones as the conference continues...

Click here for our recap of day two at the Governor's conference.

I'm looking forward to the the annual HRC Golf Event at Legacy on Lake Lanier, formerly Emerald Point.

This event will be held on Saturday, August 29th.

There will be a 1 p.m. shotgun start.

This is a great opportunity to see the re-built course even if you're not participating in the event!

Legacy at Lake Lanier, 7000 Holiday Road, Buford. Tickets $125

The arrival of El Niño alone should mean the water level will decrease for a few months then go back up during the winter months. Add to that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers management, including possible releases for repairs, downstream volume, fish concerns and of course any accidental releases and your guess is as good as mine on pool level over the next year.

Does the Corps of Engineers see the coming El Niño as an opportunity to release water for whatever reason thinking it should rebuild naturally this winter? Will El Niño do what it is forecast to do?

Any releases that bank on the prospect of winter precipitation to rebuild lake levels bothers me a bit. How about a little caution the rest of the summer and through the fall and handle any non-emergency dam repairs when and if the rains come.