Judson Turner, director of the Georgia Environmental Protection Division, is resigning effective June 1.
Turner, appointed “water czar” by Gov. Nathan Deal, will remain a member of the state’s water litigation team as a Special Assistant Attorney General. Turner heads the state’s legal fight against Florida over an “equitable apportionment” of the Chattahoochee, Flint and Apalachicola Rivers.
The water wars have been in and out of courts for 25 years.
Deal appointed Turner as director in January 2012.
“Under Jud’s leadership, EPD has made great strides in protecting Georgia’s most valuable environmental resources,” said Chris Riley, the governor’s chief of staff. “In his ongoing role on the state’s water litigation team, I am confident Jud will continue protecting Georgia’s water rights. Jud’s institutional knowledge and historical perspective are crucial to Georgia’s efforts. The governor is thankful to have him remain on our legal team.”
Turner was also tasked by Deal with augmenting water supply for Georgia, Atlanta in particular. He was also credited by Deal with shepherding the Flint River Drought Protection Act through the General Assembly in 2014.
Turner also had a hand in reducing a federal requirement for a special blend of summer gasoline in 45 Atlanta-area counties. He helped convince Washington that the nuclear power promised by Plant Vogtle near Augusta will allow Georgia to comply with upcoming greenhouse gas reduction rules.
