February 2008 E-Newsletter

News/Events/Action

News:

303d Stream Listings Posted- review yours here  Water bodies listed on the 303d list do not have sufficient water quality to meet their designated uses.  Be sure to check out the Fact Sheet that details the changes that have been made since the 2006 list including water bodies added to or removed from the list. 

TRI Victory sets precedent for upholding the Clean Water Act in Alabama, case continues- Thanks to the hard work of ARA board member Edwin Lamberth as the attorney on this case, along with the continued partnership of John Wathen the Hurricane Creekkeeper with Friends of Hurricane Creek, we have set a major precedent for upholding the Clean Water Act and for the protection of impaired streams in Alabama.  The Alabama Court of Civil Appeals upheld Judge Truman Hobb’s earlier decision that it is unlawful to continue to discharge pollutants into a 303d listed waterway and refused the appeal of the TRI mining company to do so with their old permit.  The case is still in court with a new TRI permit being challenged by Edwin and our team. 

Cancer Rulemaking Public Hearing, March 19^th-

The next step in collectively reducing our risk of getting cancer is the March 19^th Public Hearing of the Environmental Management Commission (ADEM’s oversight board).  Come to Montgomery and show your support by making an appearance at the rulemaking.  And/Or write in to the EMC commissioner’s and your local papers!  We asked for it and here it is!  

Events:

Watershed Leadership Conference 2008!

Our Annual 3-Day Training Conference

Weeks Bay, near Fairhope, AL

March 14-16^th 2008

Register Today!!!

*Save the date* River Action Day on April 8^th

Check the ARA Calendar for other events!

Free Stuff:

Need a Website?

Hey grassroots groups who don’t have websites, Google now offers free web hosting.  You can make simple web pages and add text and images. The program is easy to use, requires no knowledge of html, and comes with a small selection of pre-made page backdrops and layouts.  Check out ARA’s Development Assistant Katie Shaddix’s sample web page, made in about five minutes!  

Computer?

Mylan has used computers that are giving away to Non-profit organizations.  All the organization needs to do is scan/email or fax a request on the organization’s letterhead, making sure to include contact information and a signature, requesting computers.  Please specify the number of computers you need and state why you need them.  After you receive your computers please send a thank you letter on letterhead using the same contact information.  Please send the request to Jacqueline via the fax at 304-554-6950 or email Jacqueline at
Jacqueline.Loud@mylanlabs.com

Learn how to do a File Review- April Hall, our Program Director, is going to take you down to Montgomery and show you how to do a file review on facilities that discharge in your watershed.  Just send us an email and let us know you’re interested!

Action:

The Legislature is in session for 2008-

Please write Governor Riley and your State Senator and Representative today and urge them to take immediate steps towards water policy in Alabama. 

Victory: 

Mobile Baykeeper wins settlement against Prichard Water and Sewer Board for dumping tens of millions of gallons of raw sewage for a full five months.  Read more here. 

New Organization to Protect the Little River Watershed, www.HLRT.org

The Hulsey Little River Trust was formed near the end of 2006 to honor the memory and carry on the environmental passion of Shane Hulsey, a local environmental educator who loved Little River Canyon. The organization is looking for new members who share a passion and/or a concern for the health of this beautiful canyon and river system.

Send in your Grassroots Highlights and Events!  Part of our job is to keep you connected and informed, so if you have something going on, let’s celebrate…

Email Liz and I’ll put it on our calendar and let others in your area know about it.

2-19-08