Mudhole Water Skiing Southern Style

Honestly, I was going to write this morning about a new water permitting bill being proposed in South Carolina. I was going to breakout its major components, but it's just going to have to wait.

This is another reason why I love living in South Carolina. There is no shortage of ingenuity, adaptibility, and perseverance. Bring on climate change. As long as there is some muddy water left and a little carbon to burn, we are fine.

This spurred me into making a motivation poster.


Ok. Just one more poster.


Must stop now. I could have fun with this all day long.

Debunking the #1 Water Scarcity Myth

I thought CBS News's story about water scarcity was good considering the short duration (Watch the video here). However, one myth continues to be spread in the popular press. The myth is that 36 states will face water shortages.

This statement comes from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) in a report published in 2003 titled "FRESHWATER SUPPLY: States’ Views of How Federal Agencies Could Help Them Meet the Challenges of Expected Shortages" The report was generated after the 2002 drought to help federal agencies determine how their activities affect states and how they can be more supportive of state efforts to meet their future water needs.

The report states that "even under normal conditions, water managers in 36 states anticipate shortages in localities, regions, or statewide in the next 10 years."

How did all the water resource planners in the GAO calculate this shortage?

They didn't.

The results were only a compilation of web-based surveys of state water managers. Three important states didn't even participate; California, Michigan, and New Mexico.

FAIL.

CBS News's Water Scarcity Story

I finally watched CBS News's coverage of water scarcity that was shown last Friday. Coverage was above normal and I liked the use of graphics. However, there is a pervasive water statistical myth mentioned that still bugs me. I'll write about it tomorrow morning.


Watch CBS News Videos Online

Reclaiming the Everglades in the 19th Century in Pictures

19th century progress in the Everglades.









Interesting.

Homemade Southern Style Snow Making

We all have gifts. Some lay hidden for years, some we unwrap and toss into the closet, while some we look for, but they are simply not there.

The mechanical gift is missing for me. I have no patience when it comes to working on a car or building or retrofitting most anything. My brother, however, has this gift.

Before Christmas I wrote about making your own white christmas. Well, by gosh, my brother built a homemade snow maker out of parts and pieces from Lowe's. I thought I would share these pictures. Pretty cool. I am jealous.

You want to build it? Click here for the plan. Just don't ask me any questions. :)

How does Atlanta Find Water by 2012?

Thanks again for reading my blog and Happy New Year! I have been writing now for three years. While my posting frequency dropped off more than I would have liked last year, this just means I have more great material filling my Evernote basket of ideas that I want to share with you this year. I can't wait!

-Robert

This fall a Georgia task force of eighty business, environmental and government officials have been studying a long list of options to address Judge Paul Magnuson ruling that metro Atlanta’s use of Lake Lanier for drinking water could be reduced in 2012. Four days before Christmas, the task force published their report. I finally downloaded the report this morning.

The report says if the judge’s ruling stands, there are no other options for to "close the gap" by 2012. Simply put, they said Lake Lanier for water supply is the most cost-effective and environmentally friendly option. The task force found metro Atlanta alone would take a $26 billion annual hit to its economy if no action is taken. Now, that's shock and awe.

Here is the report.

Water Contingency Final Report