A mirage in Atlanta...

Droughts and water shortages are serious issues that will continue to face America (and the world) as the population expands, pollution increases, and the geographic concentration of the population refocuses on less naturally hydro rich regions. Water rights issues have already become key for southwestern and southeastern states, and with continued counter-intuitive land and water use polices, will probably not go away anytime soon. The current drought sweeping the southeast should be a warning sign for policymakers that relying on "normal" rainfall to sustain water use policies is inherently flawed and shortsighted. By definition, "normal" will not always be achieved. In addition, I doubt many climatologists would feel comfortable taking a strong stand on what normal will be for the next fifty years - given the current environmental uncertainties due to climate change. Of course, sound policy isn't needed as long as you believe in miracles.