Negotiations in the tri-state water war may flow again soon after Alabama's governor said Thursday that Georgia shouldn't build new reservoirs.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley said in a statement to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that if Georgia continues taking water from federal reservoirs — and takes more from new reservoirs — it will worsen conditions for downstream communities.

Gov. Nathan Deal, who has included $46 million in his budget proposal for reservoir development, responded positively to the remarks.

Deal spokesman Brian Robinson said Deal believes new reservoirs in Georgia could be beneficial for Florida and Alabama too.

"Gov. Deal's plan for providing for Georgia's long-term water supply with reservoirs will aid all states involved. Unless prayers for rain go unanswered and all states are parched, creating storage will allow us to fulfill our obligations on water flows at the state lines — which is the top concern of all parties — once we reach an agreement," Robinson said.

"It's important to note that reservoirs take many years to plan and build, and we need to reach an agreement by next year. Therefore, any new storage capacity would be done under the guidelines set by our agreement."

Deal hopes to start negotiations with Florida and Alabama soon, Robinson said.

"Gov. Deal shares Gov. Bentley's enthusiasm for doing what's right for our states' futures," Robinson said. "Gov. Bentley's statement that's he's anxious to jump-start talks was well received. The governors have had initial talks, and Gov. Deal thinks we're going to live up to our word and strike an agreement that will ensure a stable water supply for Georgia, Alabama and Florida."

Among the reservoirs under development in Georgia is the Glades Farm Reservoir in North Hall County.

Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Tom Oliver thinks Bentley's comment is a symptom of the futility of finding a solution to the water war between the three states.

"Why should Alabama and Florida agree to work with Georgia? They could care less about North Hall, they could care less about the people of Hall County and the surrounding counties," Oliver said. "I think what we're doing proves without a question that it's more imperative that we build reservoirs now than ever."

Oliver said he is "100 percent dedicated" to continuing the Glades Reservoir project.

"It's our obligation to take care of our community," Oliver said. "It's a cop out they're using, and once that is resolved there will be another one because they never intend to sign and work out a tri-state water agreement."

Deal, Bentley and Gov. Rick Scott of Florida all took office in January. Many are hopeful that the three new governors will be able to strike an agreement over water rights after two decades of dispute.

For years, the three states have disagreed over the use of water in the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint River Basin.

In July 2009, U.S. District Court Judge Paul Magnuson ruled water supply was not an authorized use of Lake Lanier. The ruling gave Georgia three years to get congressional approval to continue withdrawing drinking water from the lake.

If Congress does not act by 2012, only the cities of Gainesville and Buford would be allowed to continue to use Lake Lanier for drinking water, and at mid-1970s levels.

The ruling would reduce the amount of water Gainesville can withdraw to 8 million gallons per day. Currently, Gainesville and Hall County withdraw about 20 million gallons per day from Lake Lanier.

Georgia has appealed the ruling in federal court.