 | SUSTAINING THE FLOW A newsletter for organizational partners of the Alabama Rivers Alliance Welcome to the August monthly newsletter from Alabama Rivers Alliance to our partner groups and organizations! This newsletter's purpose is to help us all sustain the flow & keep moving forward together in our respective work in Alabama. Open us up each month to read about upcoming events, funding opportunities, training sessions, job postings and news from folks working to #DefendRivers across the state. Did we reach the right inbox? | | | | | |  | PUBLIC COMMENT OPPORTUNITIES Submit your opinions to agencies to let them know how their decision can impact your work. FY2022 INTENDED USE PLANS FOR STATE REVOLVING FUND ADEM recently released their first round of Intended Use Plans (IUPs) for the historical investment made into the Clean Water State Revolving Fund and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. We encourage everyone to review the projects being funded, analyze if the new requirements meet the EPA's intention for these funds, & comment. Learn more. HEARINGS ON ADEM ADMINISTRATIVE CODE REVISIONS ADEM announced two public hearings to consider revisions to the ADEM Administrative Code. Revisions to Division 335-1 (General Administration) concern updating beneficial use forms and fee schedule, and the hearing is on 10/18/22 - learn more. Revisions to Division 335-17 (Medical Waste Program) concern regulatory requirements for medical waste, and the hearing is on 10/13/22 - learn more. USFWS SEEKING COMMENTS FOR CONSERVATION BANKING STANDARDS The US Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking public comments to assist in developing a proposed rule establishing objectives, measurable performance standards and criteria for use, consistent with the Endangered Species Act (ESA) for species conservation banking. Learn more. STATEWIDE NPDES NOTICE ADEM released announcements of several NPDES application permits with open comment periods in the industrial, mineral extraction, and public sectors. See what facilities have open comment periods. | | | | | |  | AROUND THE ARA OFFICE -
We are so excited to have WRAPPED the 2022 Southern Exposure films and can't wait to share them with you at our premiere in Birmingham September 29! More info about that event coming soon, but save the date. After that, we will take them on tour throughout Alabama. Want to bring them to your community? We can handle that for you! Let Kelly know at kmarshall@alabamarivers.org. Learn more about Southern Exposure, the fellows, and their films by clicking here. -
We screened the 2021 Southern Exposure Films at the 5 Rivers Delta Center with Sierra Club Mobile Group, got to see many friends and partners old and new, and loved hearing the questions and discussion that these films inspired. -
This month we started preparing for strategic planning with one of our alliance partners and for board development with another! We've been excited to help guide the conversation on how to start a new river group in a watershed for two NEW groups too! -
We continue to lead a growing coalition of partners interested in the state's investments in water and wastewater infrastructure. In our August meeting we discussed commenting on the recently released Intended Use Plans for Drinking Water, Clean Water and Lead Line Replacement projects across the state. -
Jack attended the Alabama Water Resources Commission meeting, the Environmental Management Commission meeting, and had conversations with agency staff about issues affecting our waters. We are also meeting with partners to begin preparing for the legislative session. -
Several of us also attended the GS4GND Alabama Hub meeting on the porch at the UAB Solar House. We got to tour the Solar House, hear all about sustainable technologies for homes, and discussed climate and environmental justice priorities with other partners throughout the state. | | | | | |  | PARTNER HIGHLIGHTS FROM ACROSS ALABAMA Amplifying the voices of those working for change in Alabama by celebrating news, wins of all sizes, milestones, AND ways others could use support from other organizations! Use the button below to submit news to this community. - In a victory for the Locust Fork and Black Warrior River, a federal judge approved a consent decree to require Drummond Company to clean up its abandoned Maxine Mine site! Read more.
- Congrats to the Little Lagoon Preservation Society for a win in their battle with Baldwin County Sewer Services to remove an improperly permitted sludge pond! Read more.
- The Southern Environmental Law Center announced the appointment of a new President & Executive Director, DJ Gerken. Learn more about him.
- The EPA initiated a new partnership with the USDA to provide wastewater sanitation to underserved rural communities at an event in Lowndes County. This initiative will be piloted at 11 communities across the US, including Lowndes & Greene Counties in Alabama. Learn more.
- Wild Alabama hosted their first gathering of Alabama Nature Teachers and Schools (ANTS!) to highlight nature-based education and educators at Camp McDowell. See photos from the event on Facebook.
- The Fish & Wildlife Service visited the Cahaba Wildlife Refuge and highlighted the Cahaba lilies' future and past in a recent article, read more with quotes from Cahaba Riverkeeper.
Newsletters are only as good as the community that contributes to them, so help ARA celebrate you and appeal to our community for support when you need it! | | | | | | | | FUNDING | LEARNING | EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES | | FUNDING OPPORTUNTIES - Wiregrass Foundation grants for Houston, Henry, Dale, & Geneva counties due 9/1, learn more
- Walmart Local Community Grants, apply with multiple stores near you twice a year, learn more
- Simply Organic Giving Fund, food security grant due 9/30
- Weyerhauser Giving Fund for AL counties in service area with 7 focus areas including environmental stewardship & education, apply by 9/30
- Daniel Foundation of Alabama grants for underserved communities, Letter of Intent due 10/17, learn more
| | | EMPLOYMENT & INTERNSHIPS - Energy Alabama is hiring a full-time Education Manager, learn more
- The Alabama Hub of GS4GND is hiring a Hub Coordinator, learn more
- Berry College is hiring an Assistant Professor in Natural Resource Management & Conservation, learn more
- NatGeo & The Nature Conservancy are recruiting for the Freshwater & Community Conservation Remote Externship, apply by 8/28
- Black Warrior Riverkeeper is searching for their new AmeriCorps Member, learn more
| | | | | | Alabama Rivers Alliance
2014 6th Avenue North, Suite 200 | Birmingham, Alabama 35203
205.322.6395 | info@alabamarivers.org | | | | | | | | | | | |
