The state of Georgia wants to move its border with Tennessee so that Georgia has access to the Tennessee River, which could provide additional water for the parched state. Georgia claims that its true border as established by Congress in 1796 provides access to the river. Tennessee governor Phil Bredesen says, "This is a joke, right?" The Washington Post has the story.
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How can anyone think that the correct thing to do is to allow millions of people to do without a primary need such as water because of the accepted fact that one guy screwed up? This is not about the land so let Tennessee keep the land and let Georgia have access to the water! Could it be more simple? I think not.
Georgia, should do better planning on growth and conservation. This drought only shows the defective policies of many previous administrations of that state. They’ve encouraged extreme growth, but did not plan on the resources needed for that growth. If we move this state line we need to go around the country and move many other state, and national borders several feet, and even the odd mile or two. There is legal precedents, on not moving state borders, after survey mistakes. Check into the “Toledo War”. Congress did not award Michigan, they’re rightful territory, which Ohio had mistakenly been awarded, and we are not talking about a mile. We are talking about a 15 to 20 mile strip of land. If Congress denied that, then surely a little 1 mile strip would be denied.
Georgia, Plan for growth better.
Your Neighbor to the north,
Tennessee.
What a land grab. The mistake was made over 100 years ago. Essentially GA ceeded the land to TN then by not filing a claim all these years or as soon as the error was noted.
Common law.
My 1st reaction was the same as the Tenn Gov’s. What this displays is yet another example of typical geographical ignorance and, as the earlier commenters said, that isn’t the way to solve it. ‘Very entertaining though.
As an Indian, living in India, I am both surprised and amused that such a debate (conflict?) should arise in the world’s richest and technologically most advanced country. And that too one in which internal divisions largely do not seem to be based on any logic of geography, ethnicity, language etc. on which most countries of the world (except Australia and Canada) have based such divisions.
With the rest of the world, especially large parts of Africa, such illogicalities are to be found in their international boundaries, which are a heritage left behind by disparate European colonising powers.
I am not claiming that we do not have similar problems in India, but they are based on much deeper foundations.
When I lived in the Missouri Ozarks, there was an old line that Congress was considering moving the Missouri-Arkansas border ten miles further north. Congress’s objective was to improve the IQ of both states–the affected population was the least educated in Missouri but was more educated than the rest of Arkansas. In reality, if this border move goes through do you think Congress will have considered what happens if Tennessee goes into a major drought like Georgia?
Also, regarding the post about the Toledo War, Congress may have awarded Toledo to Ohio but the Buckeye State lost the war. The state is stuck with a rust bucket city mired in an economic and political morass. And Michigan got the Upper Peninsula as a consolation prize–which has incredible ores, beauty and tourism. That resolution, however, irked both states and, 150 years later, it has manifested itself in the greatest rivalry in sports–Ohio State vs. Michigan (according to ESPN). Could the game between Georgia and Tennessee get bigger than that rivalry? Maybe if the drought progresses.
Georgia disputed and laid claim to the area in question at least as far back as 1887 which is in the article attached to this comment page. Obviously some of you have not read this article. As for planning for something like a drought, get real Edgar Caycee! If you can see into the future to do that, how about giving me the numbers for Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot. Also there is many more circumstances of Congress approving boundry line changes than not. West Virginia/ Virginia, North and South Carolina, North and South Dakota, Tennessee/Kentucky! To name just a few.
Poop!
Poop???? Must be a Tennessean!
About 1838, Tennessee constested the boundary line with Mississippi. Tennessee won and the boundary line was moved south a few miles. Mississippi lost approximately the same amount of land that is contested between Georgia and Tennessee. What goes around, comes around!
Georgia, stop crying to mommy and keep this between the states. You failed to do your due diligence so accept that and move on. The people who made the mistake are dead, and they didn’t have GPS Survey equipment back then, so a mistake this small is pretty impressive. Negotiate with Tennessee to purchase the land or purchase the water.