Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue this afternoon signed a resolution from the General Assembly that urges him to negotiate with Tennessee Gov. Phil Bredesen for a re-examination of the Georgia-Tennessee state line.

“He supports the intent and looks forward to having the conversation,” said Marshall Guest, spokesman for Gov. Perdue.

The resolution claims the border was incorrectly marked in a survey 190 years ago, putting it 1.1 miles south of the intended line at the 35th parallel of latitude, and that Georgia has tried to correct it for more than a century.

Authors of the legislation made no secret they were attempting to move the border north to capture a bend in the Tennessee River and potentially lay claim to its water as Georgia endures historic drought and resulting water shortages.

The proposal originally called for boundary commissions made up of lawmakers to discuss the issue with Tennessee lawmakers, but it was changed as a directive to the governor after the Tennessee Legislature created its own resolution to refuse to participate.

If negotiations between the governors fail, the resolution authorizes Georgia’s attorney general to file a border dispute with the U.S. Supreme Court.

“‘Authorize’ means to give the ability to do so. It doesn’t mean ‘shall,’” Mr. Guest said.

See tomorrow’s Chattanooga Times Free for complete coverage.

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