This week lawmakers got a briefing from state lawyers on the legal fight over water rights to Lake Lanier. Georgia is appealing a judges ruling from last summer, which would cut-off the federal reservoir as a water source in 2012.

This prompted one representative, Democratic Representative Debbie Buckner, to call for a statewide watering ban.

Buckner says Georgians should not water lawns between 10 am and 6 pm. She says half of that water just evaporates and is lost, so she's pushing a bill that would impose watering restrictions statewide. The move, she says, would ease tensions in the ongoing water dispute with Alabama and Florida.

"If we are serious about sending a message to our neighboring states that we are serious about conservation, this is something easy we can do," said Buckner at the Capitol today.

Buckner says landscape businesses, agriculture, and vegetable gardens would be exempt. Opponents say they fear the bill will take away local control.

Tags: lawmakers, conserving water, Georgia water wars, gold dome