Mealey's (July 10, 2015, 12:01 PM EDT) -- PORTLAND, Maine — The special master in Florida’s U.S. Supreme Court water lawsuit against Georgia on June 19 ruled that Georgia has not shown that the United States must be joined as a party and that the case must not be dismissed without the federal government’s presence (State of Florida v. State of Georgia, No. 142, Original, U.S. Sup.).

(Order available. Document #95-150716-002R.)

Special Master Ralph I. Lancaster of Pierce Atwood in Portland, Maine, also said that Alabama is not a required party that must be...