Grassroots Happenings

Fundraiser Concert @ Bottletree

(3719 3rd Ave S., Birmingham)

Thursday, November 8th, 8pm-2am

Featuring 3 Excellent Bands:

HoneyBaked

Jasper Coal

The Harmless Free Radicals

$10 tickets at the door or at www.thebottletree.com all benefitting Riverkeeper’s efforts to protect the Black Warrior and your drinking water!

For more info or to donate/volunteer: cscribner@blackwarriorriver.org or (205) 458-0095

Raindrop Festival for the Hulsey Little River Landtrust

Saturday, November 10^th

In Honor of Shane Hulsey

http://friendsofshane.blogspot.com/2006/11/land-trust-meeting.html

ARA Action Alert-- Write the Governor for a Statewide Water Policy!

Dear Alabama Rivers Alliance friends,

There are no policies governing how much water Alabama rivers need to support the many uses of our important water resources: industry, drinking water, recreation, and the important fish, wildlife and plant species that keep our river ecosystems healthy.

We need you to tell Governor Riley to make comprehensive water policy for Alabama his top priority. Alabama cannot wait a moment longer to start developing a statewide water policy!

Please write letters to Governor Riley and letters to the editors of your local papers letting them know that the long term solution to the water wars lies in the state’s ability to create sound, sustainable water policy.

Governor’s Riley’s Address:

Office of the Governor

State Capitol
600 Dexter Avenue
Montgomery, Alabama 36130

Or click here to email the Governor

Our rivers cannot afford to be destroyed by the lack of water policies in Alabama any more than they can afford to be damaged by misguided Army Corps and Georgia policies. We need policy that encourages conservation and balances all the uses of our water resources to the best extent possible, and Governor Riley can lead that charge.

Please take action now on behalf of Alabama’s rivers and help give our rivers a fighting chance in the water wars!

The Alabama Rivers Alliance, along with the Southern Environmental Law Center and our many watershed partner organizations have been advocating for healthy instream flows as part of the Alabama Water Agenda. For more information visit: www.alabamawateragenda.com.

Action Alert:

We have all heard a lot about the current drought and the “water wars” with Georgia and Florida. Governor Riley is trying to do his best to keep water flowing into Alabama from Georgia. Even today he is meeting with top officials in Washington, D.C. to keep fighting for our water rights. The problem is that we don’t have a comprehensive water policy in Alabama that guides our state agencies in managing our water resources. In order to prevail in the struggle for water, we need a plan to fairly allocate and manage our waters and protect all uses.

Georgia has been working on a comprehensive water policy and plans to introduce final state legislation in 2008. Alabama has not even started a draft policy. We have been in legal battles with Georgia and Florida over water resources since 1990. It’s time for Alabama to get down to business and draft a policy that will ensure ample water supplies for current and future Alabama needs.

Please send a letter to the Alabama Water Resources Commission, the oversight board of the Office of Water Resources, asking them to develop state policy to protect our water resources. Click here for a form letter for your use (Please add the date at the top and your contact information at the bottom) Feel free to edit the letter and add your own experiences from the drought and the water wars. You can mail the letter, email it to water@adeca.state.al or fax it to 334-242-0776. You can also download the letter from the Alabama Water Agenda website, www.AlabamaWaterAgenda.com. A fact sheet is also available on the website. We encourage you to also send a copy of the letter to the Governor and your state legislators. (Office of the Governor, 600 Dexter Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36130)

Mark your calendars for November 28, the next meeting of the Alabama Water Resources Commission in Montgomery. This is the oversight group of the Office of Water Resources. They have the authority to manage Alabama's Waters. We need Alabama Water Agenda volunteers and Alabama citizens to join us at the meeting and show support for water policy.

Sample Letter:

October , 2007

Alabama Water Resources Commission

c/o Alabama Office of Water Resources

401 Adams Avenue, Suite 434
Montgomery, AL 36104

RE: Comprehensive water policy for Alabama

Dear Commissioners:

I am writing to request that the Alabama Water Resources Commission, in coordination with the Office of Water Resources, take decisive and immediate action to improve Alabama’s water policy. As illustrated in the Alabama Water Agenda, the lack of any comprehensive policy is one of the leading threats to our waters. In the midst of on-going battles over water with Georgia and Florida, one of the worst droughts in recorded history, and local and regional struggles over new and existing water supply, it is time to take serious steps to manage and protect our water resources.

Sound water policy that considers all uses of water (drinking water supply, irrigation, navigation, recreation, industry, fish and wildlife, etc) and provides meaningful management of water usage is essential to ensure that Alabama has a plan to provide enough clean water for homes, businesses, and agriculture and to maintain our natural ecosystems.

As the Commission begins to develop water policy, I ask that you incorporate stakeholder and public participation into every part of the process. This policy will affect every Alabamian and needs to be developed in a fair and transparent manner.

As the agency tasked with managing water quantity, we look to the Commission and the OWR for leadership in the management and protection of our water resources. I look forward to your progress in the coming months.

Sincerely,

Name

Address

City, State, Zip

Thanks for helping protect Alabama’s water resources!

Action Alert: Comment on the Little Cahaba in Moody by Nov. 15th

The Army Corps is permitting a 3000 ft section of the Little Cahaba to be moved in Moody.

From Friends of the Little Cahaba in Moody:

“It's kind of a long story as you can see from the number of times Moody has been through this process....They have buildings that flood...several stores have moved completely out of Moody because of their careless attitude with regard to what causes flooding. They constantly allow filling of wetlands to make it attractive to developers and are either unaware or just plain reckless.... I just wonder what the implications are for those of us who live downstream. And I question their ability to follow through with their promises of continual care.” -Debbie Pezzillo

Draft comments:

• moving the river will result in only a very small land gain
  
• most of the undeveloped land is already owned by the BWW-owned wastewater plant
• the realignment project would impact the location of the discharge point of the Hwy 411 WWTP
• Patrick Henderson of the Bham News wrote an article in which he reported that Moody had voted to buy back the ww plant from BWW for $2.5 million. Apparently, BWW bought it from Moody in 1992 for 2.6 million and gave Moody $60,000 to move an outbuilding and then invested $4 million to upgrade the plant...all because the ineffectiveness of the plant was negatively impacting BWW water quality and costs.

Applicant: City of Moody

Comment Closing Date: 15 November 2007

Application number: SAM-2007-00935-SVL.pdf

Publication Date: 16 October 2007

Waterway/Nearest Community Moody, St. Clair County, Little Cahaba River, Alabama

To print or download electronic copies of this Public Notice please go to our website

at: http://www.sam.usace.army.mil/rd/reg/public.htm and click on the Application number.

SEND US YOUR ACTION ALERTS:

lsalter@alabamarivers.org

Resources

Deadline for Early Registration: November 2^nd

4th Annual GIS Symposium and Workshops

This year's event is being held at Troy University November 15 and 16, 2007. The deadline for early registration is November 2nd. The two-days are packed with workshops and speakers that offer something for everyone from the novice to practicing GIS professionals. Details on all the events are found at the symposium web page:

http://auei.auburn.edu/gis

Registration forms and information on hotel accommodations are also available on the web page. Thank you for your interest, we look forward to seeing you in Troy.

The Constitution Convention Coalition

invites you to the

2007 Annual Summit

On Saturday, November 17th, the Constitution Convention Coalition will hold its annual summit at Birmingham Southern College (900 Arkadelphia Road · Birmingham, AL 35254) from 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. The Coalition is made up of over 30 non-profit organizations from across Alabama who are dedicated to rewriting the Alabama Constitution. Please mark your calendars and plan to attend and learn about new initiatives underway to move the effort forward, including information and new resources available for informing citizens, and draft Legislation and Legislative issues in the 2008 Legislative Session.

Your input and participation is most important in planning our 2008 goals and in discussing topics such as Advocacy for 501(c)(3) Organizations; Constitutional Reform Background Training and Talking Points; How to Find Your Organization’s Niche in the Constitutional Reform Movement; College and University Idea Sharing; and Lessons Learned in Hosting Constitutional Reform House Parties. Community leaders from all over the State will be present. Please make sure that you and your organization are represented in this effort to move Alabama forward.

Admission is free and open to the public. Limited travel scholarships are available.

Lunch will be provided at no cost.

Please check the website at www.constitutionalreform.org or contact Brantley Fry, the Coalition Coordinator, at brantley@constitutionalreform.org or (205) 967-2621 for more information and to register. Please register by Friday, November 9^th.

Who: Constitution Convention Coalition

What: 2007 Annual Summit

Where: Birmingham Southern College (900 Arkadelphia Road · Birmingham, AL 35254)

When: Saturday, November 17, 2007 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why: To identify Coalition goals for 2008 and learn more about topics such as Advocacy for 501(c)(3) Organizations; Constitutional Reform Background Training and Talking Points; How to Find Your Organization’s Niche in the Constitutional Reform movement; College and University Idea Sharing; and Lessons Learned in Hosting Constitutional Reform House Parties.

How: Admission is free and open to the public, and limited travel scholarships are available. (Lunch will be provided at no charge.)

Please check the website at www.constitutionalreform.org or contact Brantley Fry, the Coalition Coordinator, at brantley@constitutionalreform.org or (205) 967-2621 for more information and to register. Please register by Friday, November 9th.

Constitution Convention Coalition

2007 Annual Summit

REGISTRATION

Name: ____________________ Organization: ____________________

Address: ________________________________________________________

City: ____________________ State: ________ Zip: _______________

Phone: ____________________ Email: _____________________________

Can the Coalition include your contact information on the Summit Participant List? (Please note that the participant list will be shared only with participants.)

£ Yes £ No

Would you prefer a vegetarian lunch? £ Yes £ No

Do you have any special needs? £ Yes £ No

If yes, please describe: ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Do you need transportation funding? £ Yes £ No

If yes, please describe your need.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(A limited amount of scholarship funds will be awarded on a need basis. You will be notified regarding travel scholarships no later than November 13^th.)

Please submit registration to Brantley Fry by Friday, November 9^th.

Mail: 3924 Hunters Lane, Birmingham, Alabama 35243

E-mail: Brantley@constitutionalreform.org

Fax: (205) 879-3374

Feedback from You:

Interested in Biofuels?

If so, our in-house engineer, April Hall, is starting an email list about biofuels to share information. Just email April to add your name to the list.

Please send in your Grassroots Highlights and Events! We’re producing a quarterly newsletter and we need your highlights. A role of ours is to keep you connected and informed, so if you have something going on, let’s celebrate…

"Big Money for Small Organizations"

The Institute for Conservation Leadership's popular one-day fundraising workshop is coming to Huntsville on November 17th. We hope you'll attend.

Big Money for Small Organizations

Saturday, November 17, 2007 - 9:30am-4:30pm

Public Services Building, Huntsville, AL

If your organization relies heavily on foundation grants, and you want to diversify your income by increasing individual gifts, this workshop is for you! Through engaging activities, small group work, role-playing, and action planning, participants will gain skills and tools to implement new individual giving strategies into their fundraising efforts.

Facilitator Andy Robinson, a member of ICL's Consultant Network, has been raising money for social change since 1980. He brings to his trainings contagious enthusiasm, fundraising expertise, and practical suggestions for participants. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and practice effective ways to improve your organization's individual donor fundraising!

Cost: $110 for the first person; $70 for each additional person from the same organization. This fee includes the one-day workshop, all materials, and lunch. Organizations are encouraged to send teams of two or more staff and board members, so they can work together and support one another in implementing changes after the workshop. Register online by November 12th or email or call Quentin Samuels at 240.638.3599 or quentin@icl.org.

We have a limited amount of financial assistance to offer groups who want to send participants.

The Alabama Rivers Alliance, the Flint River Conservation Association and the Institute for Conservation Leadership invite you to participate in this workshop offered as a part of ICL’s Freshwater Leadership Initiative.

Group Events:

Friends of the Cahaba River National Wildlife Refuge Annual Meeting At the Refuge boat launch. Potluck. Bring a favorite dish.
Sunday, Oct 21- 2:30 PM
http://cahabafriends.freespaces.com/

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Dubconscious Concert for Black Warrior Riverkeeper
Riverkeeper supporters Dubconscious, a reggae band from Athens, Georgia, will help raise awareness about Riverkeeper at Zydeco in Birmingham.
Friday, October 19, 2007, 10:00 PM - 11:55 PM
http://www.blackwarriorriver.org/

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Fundraiser at Bottletree for Black Warrior Riverkeeper
Thursday, November 8th
http://www.blackwarriorriver.org/

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Raindrop Festival for the Hulsey Little River Landtrust
Saturday, November 10^th http://friendsofshane.blogspot.com/2006/11/land-trust-meeting.html

TIP from Enviro-lawyer, David Ludder:

Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) has some new features, mostly in search and output parameters. http://www.epa-echo.gov/echo/index.html
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Online Tracking Information System (OTIS) is maintained by EPA and billed as "the premier environmental and enforcement and compliance analysis and reporting resource for government agencies." It is mostly restricted to government agencies and contains more than the public Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO) database. However, one portion is available to the public -- charts and tables of effluent data and permit limits. With this new data presentation, mining of data in the Permit Compliance System (PCS) is not necessary and examination of Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) is largely unnecessary. This can be especially important if you don't want to tip ADEM off that you are intending to file a 60-day notice of intent to sue. There are two ways to obtain publicly available OTIS data. The most direct is http://www.epa-otis.gov/cgi-bin/effluentsquery.cgi?tool=otis. Enter the permit number and click "search" and charts of effluent data will be presented. Click on "Details" for any chart and a table of the effluent data and permit limits will be presented. [Caution: It appears that not all permit limits for a particular parameter may be shown, e.g., weekly averages] Another way is to enter the ECHO website and pull up data for a facility of interest. Scroll to the table labeled "Environmental Conditions" and click on the blue "W." That will take you an "OTIS Water Quality Report" page. At the top is a link to "NPDES Effluent Charts Report."

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ADEM Electronic Environmental Reporting System (E2) has been launched. https://e2.adem.state.al.us/NPDES/Pages/Main/Login.aspx "The E2 DMR systems provides wastewater facilities with an alternative way to submit DMR data and allow the ADEM to electronically validate the data, acknowledge receipt, and upload data to Alabama’s central wastewater database." Director Trey Glenn promised the environmental community (I believe on Jan. 10, 2007) that this data would be accessible to the public via the web. No provision has been made for public accessibility. I have an inquiry in to ADEM about their plans

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