 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW Thank you for subscribing to ARA's partner newsletter, featuring highlights from our 100+ partners and organizations around our network to help keep us collaborating, informed and engaged. Read through for comment opportunities, events, partner highlights, and updates from the ARA team; along with funding, training, and hiring opportunities. See past editions of the newsletter here. |
| | Hi ARA partners and friends! Summer is coming to a close but the days are still warm enough for lazy floats on the  river, or river sittin' drinking some good ole Alabama Light beer! Thankfully we aren't the only ones enjoying Alabama Beer Company's Alabama Light Lager, which is the source of money for the DRIFT Fund! We are so excited to report since its launch in November 2024, sales of this special beer has raised $11,580.84 to support the DRIFT Fund grant program administered by the Alabama Rivers Alliance in partnership with Alabama Cup Racing, Alabama Scenic River Trail and Waterkeepers Alabama. We have awarded $6,350 of those dollars directly to groups doing great work to #DefendRivers across Alabama. So far, the DRIFT Fund has supported water testing equipment, internships, websites and a short documentary film project. Alabama Beer Company is an active partner and is standing firm behind their commitment to fund the DRIFT Fund for the long haul. So as the beautiful fall weather comes in, football season kicks off, and all the great fall festivals and events line up, don't forget to buy or serve Alabama Light - the beer that truly gives back to our movement! To learn more about the DRIFT Fund, how to apply, and to see where to buy Alabama Light, click here. |
|  | FEDERAL AND REGULATORY NEWS / COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES ADEM'S REVISIONS ON DIVISION 1 AND 14 RULES The Alabama Department of Environmental Management (ADEM) will hold a public hearing on October 7, 2025 to consider proposed revisions to Division 335-1 (General Administration) and 335-14 (Hazardous Waste Program) of the ADEM Administrative Code. Revisions to Division 1 will modify forms and schedules for implementation of future rules, and revisions to Division 14 will codify several Hazardous Waste Programs with federal rules (including Coal Combustion Residuals, Waste Pharmaceuticals, Solid Waste, and more). See the public notice and instructions on how to submit comments here. THE PERMIT ACT The PERMIT Act, or “Permission to Pollute Act”, removes the EPA’s authority to block dangerous projects, limits the rights of states and tribes to protect their own waters, shields polluters from being held accountable, and opens the door to unchecked pollution. This bill undermines the Clean Water Act and puts polluter profits ahead of reducing water pollution and protecting health and the environment. Click here to tell your representatives to VOTE NO on the Permit Act when they are back in session. Stay tuned as we will share this action alert and other ways to take action once Congress is back in session. |
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|  | BITE SIZED UPDATES FROM ARA It's been yet another busy busy summer for the ARA team! Cindy spent the last half of July in Ireland taking in the sights on beautiful hikes, watching puffins and minke whales, and enjoying plenty of Guinness of course! As soon as she was back, she hit the ground running coordinating partnership meetings around the SSE4 and MSX pipeline expansion fight, writing grant reports and presenting a fundraising workshop for the Southeast Climate and Energy Network. Jack has been engaged in hydropower issues throughout the state, and has been serving on the organizing committee for the upcoming Southeastern Public Interest Environmental Law (SPIEL) conference in October. We're excited to screen the new Southern Exposure Films at this conference and to the Sewanee community as well! Click here to register and learn more. Charles has been working with community partners to get answers about proposed data centers from Bessemer to Wilsonville. The policy team has also welcomed our fall extern from UA Law, Ellie Taube, who is helping us look at potential legislation for 2026! Kelly was beside herself with excitement that she was finally able to get out on the river multiple times in one summer season! She paddled Terrapin Creek more than once, floated Flint River during a rainstorm, boated on the Black Warrior, and she stuck her toes in the Pacific Ocean too! Martha and Tiffani reconvened the Montgomery Regional meetings and continue to survey Montgomeryians about what they want their City and County to do to improve access to the Alabama River. V submitted another round of Intended Use Plan (IUP) comments to ADEM about spending State Revolving Funding efficiently and equitably and is brainstorming how to transition water infrastructure advocacy in a post-BIL, post-funding availability world. We had an awesome group of summer interns and research fellows over the last few months and we are super sad to see them go. We know they will go on to #DefendRivers in some way or another in their next chapters! Read about them here. |
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| | | PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS ALABAMA Amplifying the voices of river defenders in Alabama by celebrating news, wins of all sizes, milestones and ways others could use support. Submit your news so we can share! - Governor Ivey announced a $335,837 grant aimed at enhancing the Big Canoe Creek Nature Preserve in St. Clair County. The federal funding, awarded to the city of Springville, is intended to provide new amenities at the 422-acre wilderness preserve, which is known for promoting recreation and education. Click here to read more.
- On behalf of Coosa Riverkeeper, the Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) filed a lawsuit against Alabama Power Company over ongoing groundwater pollution from Alabama Power’s failed closure by capping its leaking toxic coal ash lagoon at the former Gadsden Steam Plant. This ongoing pollution has been a problem since the lagoon was capped in a manner that violates of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and the Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) Rule, which regulate coal ash disposal. Click here to learn more!
- DELAYED AGAIN! Along with our partners, ARA has been working closely with community members in Bessemer, McCalla, Rock Mountain Lakes and more surrounding areas near the proposed MASSIVE data center site, currently called "Project Marvel". With overwhelming response from the community, the Bessemer City Council once again delayed voting on the rezoning to allow this huge energy and water guzzler. Read more about "Project Marvel" here.
- Alabama Rivers Alliance, Friends of the Alabama River, Cahaba Riverkeeper and Cahaba River Society recently intervened in the preliminary permit for a developer to study adding hydropower to the existing Claiborne Lock and Dam in Monroe County. Click here to read the intervention.
- The Alabama Cooperative Extension System has launched a statewide survey to better understand the needs of communities across the state’s 67 counties. The survey asks Alabamians to share what they believe should be priorities in areas like agriculture, youth development, natural resources, community health and economic growth.
- HUGE MAJOR OVERFLOWING CONGRATS to Charles Scribner on his 20 years with Black Warrior Riverkeeper! Read more about his accomplishments and impacts, and his hopes for the future here. ARA recognized Charlie with the special James Lowery Service Award, given to those who volunteer their time and energy for numerous organizations throughout Alabama. We are also thankful to work with Charlie each summer to make sure all libraries in the Black Warrior watershed have Southern Exposure DVDs!
- Welcome to Dog River Clearwater Revival's new executive director, Evelyn DeAngelo. Read about her here!
- River Management Society is offering a webinar series called "River Careers", tailored for students and early-career professionals interested in river-related jobs. Each session highlights a distinct career pathway and aligns with one of the core areas of the River Management Society’s River Studies and Leadership Certificate (RSLC): Policy, GIS, River Safety, and Science. Click here to learn more.
- ARA is coordinating a broad coalition of partners, including Blackbelt Women Rising, Energy Alabama, Southern Environmental Law Center (SELC) and other interested river organizations to organize in the 11 Alabama counties impacted by the South System Expansion 4 pipeline project and the Mississippi Crossing pipeline. Read the press release about the FERC intervening, led by SELC, here.
- Catherine Coleman Flowers is hosting a book signing for her new book Holy Ground: On Activism, Environmental Justice and Finding Hope in Auburn on September 11. Learn more here.
- This fall , River Management Society's Southeast Chapter is planning a 3-day float trip down the Cahaba River Blueway with the Cahaba River Society! They hope non-RMS members will register and join them, learn more here.
Please reply to this email or click below to submit newsletter items from your organization. We'd love to share your news with our 100+ partners across the region! |
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| FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES |
| FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - NEED FUNDS FAST?! Alabama Beer Company + ARA's DRIFT Fund is set up for financial assistance for projects, etc and applications are open! If you have any questions about the fund, please reach out!
- The Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation has grants for environmental protection activities ranging from $1,000 - $20,000. Click here to learn more + apply by November 10.
- The Lawrence Foundation offers grants to environmental or wildlife protection programs. Applications are due by October 31.
- Athletic Brewing Company Two for the Trails Grants are available for waterway protection and overall environmental preservation. Deadline October 8.
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| Alabama Rivers Alliance
4439 5th Avenue South Suite 1000 | Birmingham, Alabama 35222
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org |
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