QUIZ

True or False: Ozone pollution, caused primarily by sulfur, nitrogen oxide and mercury, among other elements, is higher in Los Angeles than it is in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

(Scroll down for answer)

Georgia Governor Rejects $500M for Atlanta Sewer

Officials say it is going to take $3 billion to fix Atlanta's chronic sewer problems. Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue recently rejected a plea by Atlanta officials to chip in $500 million over 10 years toward basic infrastructure improvements in the South's fourth-largest market. The city of Atlanta is on the hook for the $3 billion in improvements. But only 14 percent of the Atlanta MSA's total population lives in the city. As of now, those 450,000 residents could foot the $3 billion bill for the sewer improvements themselves. If that happens, expect a large out migration from the city of Atlanta to suburbs that are already overcrowded to serious levels. Could we be seeing the beginnings of a dying city, much like that of the cities (not metros) of Detroit and St. Louis?

State of Florida Buys 381 Acres in Green Swamp

The state of Florida has added another 381 acres to the Green Swamp Forever project. Green Swamp is critical to Central Florida's water supply and the state has acquired development rights to thousands of acres in the swamp. The land agreement preserves cypress swamps, pine forests and other lands in Green Swamp, which helps maintain water flows in the Florida Aquifer.

Water Levels Improve in Florida Aquifer

Because of efforts throughout the state of Florida, new water generating sources such as the Tampa Bay Seawater Desalination plant and a little luck from Mother Nature, the recovery of the massive Florida Aquifer is well underway. In fact, water levels in the Florida Aquifer are at the highest levels since 1988.

Georgia Looking at New Water Use Plan

The state of Georgia is drafting a new water use plan that would jack up rates for large residential water users. The plan would increase rates per gallon after usage passes a certain threshold. State leaders in Georgia are looking for ways to improve water use efficiency. Water disputes with Florida and Alabama have gone unresolved for years and the three-state disagreement is headed for the Supreme Court.

QUIZ ANSWER

False. Ozone pollution is greater in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park than in Los Angeles. The Smoky Mountains Park is the most visited national park in the U.S. The "Smokies" are located in the Southeast and are greatly affected by coal burning power plants in the South. President Bush's recent decision to cut restrictions on emissions from coal burning power plants will help keep ozone pollution levels in the Smokies higher than in Los Angeles for the foreseeable future.