APALACHICOLA — Florida Gov. Rick Scott disclosed Tuesday that his state is going to sue the state of Georgia, saying its increased consumption of water is limiting flows to the Apalachicola River.

Scott said in a statement that Florida must take such drastic action because it has been unable to negotiate a settlement in recent decades on how to allocate water between Florida, Georgia and Alabama. Florida's step is an escalation in years of litigation.

"This lawsuit will be targeted toward one thing — fighting for the future of Apalachicola," Scott said. "This is a bold, historic legal action for our state. But this is our only way forward after 20 years of failed negotiations with Georgia. We must fight for the people of this region. The economic future of Apalachicola Bay and Northwest Florida is at stake."

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