Water is our greatest and most important resource. Roughly one-tenth of America’s surface water runs through Alabama. As a result of being so blessed by abundant water resources, we must be good stewards of this precious commodity.

We use water every day for cooking, cleaning, consumption, and to generate power. With recurring droughts and the continued growth of the Southeast in terms of population, industry and agribusiness, we face the stark reality of growing demands on our water supply. This entails better water resource management, including development of irrigation systems for our farmers.

With the additional challenge of neighboring states wanting to use our water for their purposes, Alabama must have a water resources master plan and up-to-date research to not only justify our position but also to provide long-term leadership to protect and preserve water supplies for future generations.

As Commissioner, I believe now is the time to develop a comprehensive, long-range water resources plan that encompasses all 17 Alabama watersheds, each with their own leadership base and planning group. This bottom-up approach in planning and development will ensure Alabama’s sovereignty in administering our water supply. Our goal is always to ensure we have an abundant supply of water for our homes, farms, and businesses.