Update on State Water Management Plan development

 December 15, 2008 - Cindy Lowry 

During the 2008 Alabama Legislative Session, Senator Kim Benefield (D, Dist 13) and Representative Greg Canfield (R, Dist 48) took the lead in forming a Permanent Joint Legislative Committee on Water and Management.  This Committee was charged with a much needed, multi-year undertaking , the development of a comprehensive state water management plan for Alabama.

         Since the end of the regular session in June of 2008, the Joint Legislative Committee on Water Policy and Management has had three official full committee meetings. The first meeting on July 28th in Montgomery included speakers from industry, agriculture, and water utilities.  The second meeting on September 23rd in Guntersville included speakers from tourism and environment.  All of the speakers were either current or former state agency employees.  No nonprofit or citizen groups were asked to speak at this time.  Pat Byington was asked to speak on behalf of environmental groups and several organization including the Rivers Alliance provided input for Pat’s presentation.

            The third full committee meeting was held on November 3rd in Montgomery and included speakers from various state agencies, such as the Alabama Department of Environmental Management, the Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources, and the Office of Water Resources. 

            Four subcommittees were established at the initial meeting: 1.) Agriculture, Industry, Navigation, and Recreation; 2.) Data Needs; 3.) Conservation, Efficiency, Drought Management, and Water Quality; and 4.) Water Management Mechanisms, Strategies and Policy. 

            The Rivers Alliance has signed up for all four subcommittees and has attended all meetings so far.  We have done presentations at the Data Needs subcommittee meeting and at the Water Mgt. Mechanisms, Strategies, and Policies subcommittee meeting. 

            The full committee plans to meet one more time in January before the 2009 Legislative session begins.  A report will be provided to the State Legislature on the Committee’s work by the 10^th day of the legislative session. 

            Thus far the Committee has been gathering information to help educate themselves about what water management policy exists in the state, where the needs and gaps are in water management policy, and what agencies are charged with dealing with what aspects of water policy, as well as looking at what other states have done in the area of water management.  They have also utilized this first year to better understand the different interest groups and stakeholders involved with and/or using our water resources.

            The Alabama Rivers Alliance intends to remain closely involved through this entire process as it continues forward.  We commend the state Legislature for taking the lead on this important effort and for allowing citizens to be a part of it.  We also encourage members and interested citizens to attend meetings and follow this important process that will ultimately create a plan for managing Alabama’s valuable water resources for many years to come.  We will keep meeting dates and information updated on our website, www.alabamarivers.org.