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e-River Ties, Issue 8
Issue 8, September 30, 2008
Welcome to the eighth issue of e-River Ties!
In this issue:
What's new at the Rivers Alliance?
Farewell to April Hall
After providing almost six years of service to Alabama's rivers as program director for the Rivers Alliance, April Hall will be moving on to pursue the goal of forming her own environmental engineering consulting company. We at the Alabama Rivers Alliance are all grateful for the technical knowledge and expertise that April has contributed to our organization, and we wish April well at her future endeavors.
April's contributions to the Alabama Rivers Alliance are many. Her work was instrumental in the creation of the Alabama Water Agenda and in the development of the campaign for state water policy, an issue about which a joint legislative committee was finally formed just this year. April has kept abreast of changes in state policy and agency regulations and worked with national organizations on federal policy.
In addition to her work on the state level, April has worked on local levels to help individuals and their watersheds. Her work was instrumental in continuing the fight against a dam on the Duck River, even after a federal court victory that temporarily defeated a permit, and thanks in part to that work the Duck River is still free-flowing today. She has also created tools that help empower individual citizens to have a voice in the fate of their watersheds. April is the author of the first part of a series of River Protection Essentials, free downloadable brochures available on the Rivers Alliance website that provide citizens with step-by-step instructions for utilizing public tools for watershed protection.
During her time with the Rivers Alliance, April has manned the Rivers Alliance's technical programs such as reviewing and commenting on NPDES permits for pollution discharge, TMDLs for impaired waters, and Corps of Engineers permits to ensure compliance with the Clean Water Act. She has also participated in hydropower relicensing for more than a dozen dams. She has represented the Rivers Alliance on the steering committee of the national Hydropower Reform Coalition and in the Corps Reform Network. She has made numerous presentations for grassroots groups, professional organizations, and conferences and has represented the Alliance at public hearings.
April's contributions toward the Alabama Rivers Alliance mission of protecting and restoring our state's rivers have been significant. As we bid her a fond farewell, we are grateful for the skill and knowledge that she has brought to our organization over these past years, and we wish her well in her work to come.
Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival comes to Alabama
The largest environmental film festival in the United States, the Wild & Scenic Environmental Film Festival, is on its way to Alabama. Thanks to a grant from Patagonia, the Alabama Rivers Alliance and Alabama Environmental Council will be bringing the event to Birmingham this fall.
This event will feature a variety of independent films focusing on various issues relating to nature and the environment. These films will give viewers a chance to LEARN new ideas from a selection of inspiring environmental films with hardhitting topics including bioengineering, water issues, wilderness preservation, citizen activism, and more. Viewers will EXPERIENCE the adrenalin of kayaking the wildest rivers, climbing the highest peaks, and trekking across the globe with adventure films around the world, EXPLORE the issues and movements with leading environmental activists and professionals, filmmakers, and celebrities, and CELEBRATE the natural and wild world.
It's all going to happen on November 6 at McWane Science Center. Doors will open at 5:30pm and light hors d'oeuvres and beverages will be provided. Tickets can be purchased in advance at the Wild & Scenic Film Festival web page.
Want to get your business's name out there? Sponsorship packages are available. Contact Katie Robertson Shaddix for more information.
Click here to see trailers for the films!
The 3rd Annual River Revival
The third annual River Revival was a huge success and was enjoyed by people of all ages. With foot-tappin' performances from Glenn Tolbert, Jenny Leigh Obert and Who Shot Sally, the Oxy Morons, and the debut performance of the Embers out doors on a beautiful day, it was time for everyone to get out their dancing shoes.
We had over 250 attendees this year who all enjoyed a day of great bluegrass music, scrumptious local food, fun local arts and crafts, and terrific company.
We had representation from ten grassroots groups from across the state: Alabama Citizens for Constitutional Reform, Alabama Environmental Council, Alabama Scenic River Trail, Black Warrior Riverkeeper, Cahaba Riverkeeper, Cahaba River Society, Friends of Big Canoe Creek, Friends of the Locust Fork River, Hulsey Little River Trust, and the Nature Conservancy of Alabama.
We extend a big thank you to our terrific volunteers:
Stephen Guesman who helped to plan the festival, coordinated the bands and sound equipment, emceed the show, and performed with his band, the Oxy Morons. Without Stephen the show would not have happened!
Gayle Yester and her dog Luke, who helped with setting up the festival and working the registration booth.
Ben Taylor and Carrie Merrit who coordinated registration.
Bill Bennett, Ben Wells, Shane Couch, and Spence Maynor who directed parking.
Susanna Whitsett and her friends who organized and directed children's activities.
Ashley Hulsey Couch who helped with children's activities and entertained both kids and kids at heart with her professional storytelling.
James Pillman and Anne Matthews of the Vulcan Trail Association who helped with parking and assisted with children's activities.
Thank you guys!
We would also like to once again say thank you to our River Revival sponsors: Tom Lowry of State Farm Insurance, Highland Music, Wolf Creek Creations, Sojourns, Food Source Lures, Java & Jams, Higher Ground Coffee Company, Good People Brewing Company, and LetsGoGreen.
Photos of the event can be viewed in an online album by clicking below.
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| 3rd annual River Revival |
Grassroots Highlight
East Lauderdale Environmentally Conscious Citizens defeats poorly planned sewer proposal
Concerned citizens in East Lauderdale have been fighting for years to prevent the neighboring town of Killen from dumping its sewage into their back yards. Their hard work was rewarded in early September when the town of Killen announced that they would construct a vertical well in their own town, leaving East Lauderdale creeks to remain pristine.
Rhea Fulmer joined together with her friends and neighbors to fight the sewer proposal. They formed a group called the Bridge Road Environmental Watch, or BREW. The group hired a geologist from Missouri and an environmental attorney from Birmingham and began attending all of the Killen Town Council meetings to voice their environmental concerns.
After nine long months, the private company hired to construct the plant decided to abandon the location. BREW members were ecstatic, but cautiously so because they feared that the town of Killen would look elsewhere for a location. They were right, and a few months later they found out that the company charged with building the sewer system had already applied for NPDES permits to discharge elsewhere in Lauderdale.
The group East Lauderdale Environmentally Conscious Citizens was formed. They successfully collected over 7,400 signatures from citizens opposing the project and presented the petition to ADEM officials at a public hearing in March, 2008. They also commissioned a study by a hydrogeologist regarding the damage that would be done to Mill Creek if the sewage treatment facility was installed, and they prepared to present their evidence in court if necessary.
This month, they learned that the town of Killen has once again abandoned its plans to dump its sewage into East Lauderdale. They will now be constructing a vertical sewer well, keeping their waste within their own city limits.
An excerpt of the story as told by Rhea Fulmer, East Lauderdale Environmentally Conscious Citizens member
In early spring of 2006 I learned, through the grapevine, that the town of Killen was planning a spray application sewer system to be located less than an eighth of a mile from our subdivision. The following day began a journey which I could have never imagined.
...
To those of you who are fighting similar battles in your own communities—Never, ever give up! We were told “the cards are stacked against you” from the beginning. But, with the combined help of numerous people, many anonymous and unnamed, we have prevailed. Our creeks in the county will remain pristine and survive because of people who so unselfishly gave of themselves, their time and their money. And, to those good people, my hat is off! Maybe I can find us all one of those ‘Sewer Expert’ bumper stickers!
Please visit www.SaveBluewater.org
Stay tuned to see the full article in the Alabama Rivers Alliance fall newsletter!
September News Digest
Speaker's Stand ... Kudos to Shelby
In the wake of Hurricane Ike and the flooding in Alabama, it makes sense to step back and examine our flood policies. It's also a chance to praise Sen. Richard Shelby for his leadership.
Despite our ongoing differences with the senator on issues ranging from energy to public lands, he deserves our applause for supporting much-needed reforms to our nation's outdated flood-insurance policies. As a co-sponsor of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act, Shelby is showing courage and leadership in reforming an important policy that affects the safety of our communities and vital economic and environmental resources.
Corps of Engineer’s update of the operating manuals for the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa basin
The US Army Corps of Engineers, Mobile District intends to prepare an update of the Water Control Manuals for the Alabama-Coosa-Tallapoosa (ACT) River Basin.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service orders endangered watercress darter pond restored in Birmingham
Federal officials have issued emergency orders to rebuild the Roebuck Springs pond where more than 1,000 endangered watercress darters were killed Friday when city workers destroyed a dam.
Dam removal kills more than 1,000 endangered fish at Roebuck Springs
A thousand or more endangered watercress darters were killed when the city of Birmingham drained most of the water out of a pond at Roebuck Springs, one of the state's top fish experts said Monday.
Rivers and cookies
Fourth-grade students at Tuscaloosa Academy applied their knowledge about Alabama waterways by using blue icing to decorate large Alabama-shaped cookies on Friday at Tuscaloosa Academy.
Alabama river basins contain imperiled fish
Alabama is No. 3 in the nation for imperiled fish, according to the first continent-wide study of fishes in 19 years.
How can I help?
Work for the Rivers Alliance
Job posting: Program Director
The Alabama Rivers Alliance, a statewide river protection organization, seeks a full-time Program Coordinator to lead the two main policy and technical programs for the Alabama Rivers Alliance, Healthy Watersheds and Flowing Rivers, as well as the Alabama Water Agenda. The position will be in charge of planning and implementing the numerous facets of each program, representing the Alliance at conferences and meetings, making presentations, and working with national, regional, and local partners to achieve the goals of the organization.
Become an Event Sponsor
Want to get your business name out to a statewide audience in a hurry? Sponsor an event! Sponsorship packages are available for the Wild & Scenic Film Festival. Contact Katie Robertson Shaddix for more info.
Shop to support the Rivers Alliance
We are proud to announce our guide to Eco-friendly, Socially-Conscious retailers. Do you know of a business that you'd like to see included on the list? Email us and let us know.
Did you know that you can support the Rivers Alliance just by purchasing Higher Ground Roaster's delicious River Blend Coffee? Or that 25% of purchases from www.LetsGoGreen.biz will benefit the Rivers Alliance when you travel to the store through the links on our website?
To shop with our fundraising partners and other Eco-friendly, fair trade retailers, click here.
Three different styles of Alabama Rivers Alliance t-shirts now available online!
Click here to check out the designs and order yours today!
Donate to the Alabama Rivers Alliance
None of the Rivers Alliance's good work would be possible without the support of our members and donors. The Rivers Alliance is now accepting donations online through Paypal for those of you with Paypal accounts and also through www.Groundspring.org. Visit our Donate page to contribute or to renew your membership today!
For more information about current happenings with the Alabama Rivers Alliance, read our print newsletter online in a pdf format by clicking here.
To make a donation in support of Alabama's rivers, click here.
To subscribe to our e-newsletter mailing list, Email Katie Shaddix.
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ARTWORKS by Melanie Townsend Colvin